Kalighat Kali Temple Kolkata

A cultural and religious amalgam, Kolkata is an exquisite and exotic city. A cosmopolitan atmosphere rules here, with people of different classes, castes, religions, and cultures co-existing side by side, and co-operating with each other. A visitor to Kolkata will be left wondering how Kolkata is the ‘city of joy’, with such diverse attitudes and such a mixed ambience. Even religion-wise, Kolkata comprises of Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs and Christians all living together. One of the most important places of worship of the Hindus here is the Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata.

The Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata, located on the banks of river Hooghly, is regarded as one of the 52 Shakti Peethams of India. According to legend, when Lord Shiva was furiously performing his Rudra Tandava dance, the various parts of the corpse of Goddess Kali fell off at different points, where pilgrimages were later built. The Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata, is said to have sprung up at the place where a toe of her right foot had fallen.

Another legend associated with the Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata is that a devotee once chanced upon a bright ray of light coming from the bed of the Bhagirathi river, and on inspection discovered a piece of stone carved in the form of a human toe, as well as a Svayambhu Lingam of Nakuleshwar Bhairav nearby. He started worshipping them at a small temple in the woods, which later came to grow and became the Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata in 1809 under the patronage of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family of Barisha.

The Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata is dedicated to the Goddess kali, who is believed to be the destroyer as well as liberator. Though depicted as a fierce Goddess, it is this Kali Mata who is said to be the perpetuator of Shakti, and is ardently worshipped by thousand of devotees. People from all over the country, as well as from around the world come to the Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata to worship the Goddess, and seek her blessings. It has gradually been attracting such crowds, that it has become one of the must see tourist attraction places in Kolkata.