Here is Some Information about Dakshineswar Kali Temple Kolkata India.
Location : Bank of the Ganges, north of Belur Math in Kolkata
Built In : 1847 - 1855
Built By : Queen Rasmani of Janbazar
Dedicated to: Goddess Kali
Best time to visit: October toMarch
Temple Timing :6.30am-noon & 3-8.30pm
Phone:033 25645222
Entry : Free
Photography : Allow to TempleOut Side
Visiting Timing :30 Minuts
Coordinates:22°39′18″N 88°21′28″E
Nearest Railway Station : Kolkata Junction
Nearest Airport : Kolkata Airport
More Information about Dakshineswar Kali Temple Kolkata
Dakshineswar kali temple is situated on Kalighat road alongside the Vivekananda Bridge north of Calcutta, about 20 km. from BBD Bagh. It is famous for its association with the great religious thinker Ramakrishna Paramahamsa who achieved spiritual vision here and preached the unity of all religions. He used to serve as the head priest here. The temple was built by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist and a devotee of Kali in 1855. The temple is famous for its association with Ramakrishna a mystic of 19th Century Bengal and Swami Vivekananda. The 12- spired temple with its enormous courtyard has a shrine to Goddess Kali in the center, surrounded by other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Radha Krishna. It is a world famous place of pilgrimage.
Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the famous spiritual leader is also associated with this temple, as it was over here only that he had worshipped Goddess Kali and formed a rare form of love for her, which is popularly known as maha-bhava in Hinduism. Read on to know about the history of Dakshineshwar Temple Of Kolkata, India.
The legend associated with the establishment of the temple suggests that the queen Rasmani was all set to leave for the sacred city of Banaras to worship the divine mother and seek her blessings. During those times, going by boat was the only feasible option, as there were no railway lines between Calcutta and Banaras. But one night before, it happened that divine mother kali appeared in the dreams of Rani Rasmani and instructed her to construct a beautiful temple on the banks of the Ganges River and install her idol in it. She also said that she would manifest herself in the image over there and accept her devotion. It is one of the largest temples in Kolkata.
The legend associated with the establishment of the temple suggests that the queen Rasmani was all set to leave for the sacred city of Banaras to worship the divine mother and seek her blessings. During those times, going by boat was the only feasible option, as there were no railway lines between Calcutta and Banaras. But one night before, it happened that divine mother kali appeared in the dreams of Rani Rasmani and instructed her to construct a beautiful temple on the banks of the Ganges River and install her idol in it. She also said that she would manifest herself in the image over there and accept her devotion. It is one of the largest temples in Kolkata.
History of Dakshineswar Kali Temple
When India was still groping under the British rule trying hard to come to terms laid down by the English, the first wave of patriotism gripped the brave soldiers of Barrackpur, that shared the same river line where the Dakshineswar Temple would be built, led to the Sepoy Mutiny Revolt in 1857. Kolkata was the capital of the country and was then the second largest city of the British Empire only next to London. This new ardour of patriotic fervor soon spread amidst the important people of the city. Among them was the brave and deeply religious Rani Rashmoni who is one of the pioneers to silently revolt against the foreign rule.
Dakshineswar in the Early 1800s and Before
In the early 1800s, Dakshineswar was a small village along the eastern banks of the River Ganga. The picturesque details by J ะก Marshman in the January 1845 issue of Calcutta Review mentions “A little higher up we have the village of Dukhinsore, remarkable chiefly for the country seat, mapped down in the map of Hastie's Garden, but which has repeatedly changed hands during the last thirty years. To the north of it
lies the Powder Magazine. During the last four years which have elapsed since Joseph’s map was published, four elegant houses have sprung up to the south of the garden.”
Dense forest surrounded the area where the famous Dakshineswar temple stands today. It was 300 years back when Durgaprasad Roy Choudhury and Bhavaniprasad Roy Choudhury, members of the renowned Savarna Roy Choudhury family settled here. Yogindranath one of the successors of this family was an ardent devotee of Sri Ramakrishna who later was known as Swami Yogananda.
Rani Rashmoni, founder of the temple
The famous Dakshineswar temple which houses the Goddess Kali was founded by Rani Rashmoni following a dream she saw when she was about to start on her pilgrimage to Benaras. A long term plan of the Rani materialized which she had longed to perform when her husband died with unfulfilled wish of constructing a Kali temple.
A dynamic woman, Rani Rashmoni took over the administration of the enormous estate her husband left her. The benevolent administrator, Rani Rashmoni was always in conflict with the stringent British laws and policies. People honored her and loved her for her daring and benevolent spirit. Dakshineswar temple, bathing ghats, a way from Subarnarekha River to Puri, Imperial Library (present National Library) and Hindu College (present Presidency College) are the testimonials to her benevolent nature.
Hot Spot for Tourists
The Panchavati, a congregation of five ancient trees, is a spot for peaceful meditation. Here Sri Ramakrishna used to meditate and performed severe penances sitting on the 'Panchamundi (5 skulls) Ashana' - a custome which is mandatory for the 'Tantrika' form of worship.
Nearby Attraction of Dakshineswar Kali Temple Kolkata
Belur Math
It is 3km. from Dakshineswar temple. The Belur Math is an important place of Pilgrimage includes the main monastery, several temples and the head quarters of Ramakrishna Mission and Ramkrishan Math.
How to Reach Dakshineswar Kali Temple Kolkata
By Road: The city of joy is well linked with almost all the
cities of India by road. The Esplanade Terminus is the main bus terminus
that lies in the heart of the city. The latest development is the
starting of Dhaka-Calcutta buses, which are fully air-conditioned and
also very comfortable.
By Rail: Kolkata is well linked to other parts of the country by railways. There are super fast trains like Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express that join Calcutta from Delhi and other nearby places. Calcutta consists of two major railway stations; one is located in Howrah and the other at Sealdah.
By Air: It is completely accessible by air. There are a number of
domestic airlines that connect Kolkata with other major cities of India
like Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi,
Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Port Blair.
Picture Gellery of Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata
