Here is Some Information about Kalighat Temple in Kolkata West Bengal India.
Location: On the banks of Adi Ganga in Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal
Built by: Sabarna Roy Chowdhury
Built in: 1809
Dedicated to: Goddesh Kali
Significance: One of the 51 Shakti Peethas
Temple timing: 5.00 A.M. -3.00 P.M.& 5.00 P.M. -10.00
P.M
Nitya Puja: 5.30 A.M to 7.00 A.M
Bhog
Rag: 2.30 P.M. to 3.30 P.M. 2.
Sandhya
Aarti: 6.30 P.M. to 7.00 P.M.
Entry: Free
Photography: allow
Visiting timing:30 Mins
Best time to visit: All time
Nearest Metro station:Jatin Das Park and Kalighat
Nearest Railway station:Kolkata
Nearest Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Intrnational Airport
Kalighat Kali temple is a very famous temple of the city of joy Kolkata.The temple ic located On the banks of Adi Ganga in Kalighat, Kolkata. It is dedicated to Goddess kali, who is believed to be the destroyer as well as liberator. Every year, it has been attracting more and more crowds. Infact, Calcutta Kalighat Kali temple has come in the top list of must see tourist attraction places. For Hindus, Kali temple at Kalighat, Kolkata is one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations.
In the southern part of Kolkata, Kalighat is a small locality that is well-known for its Kali temple. Kalighat Kali Temple is considered as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of Shakti.
Goddess Kali is regarded as the most complex goddess of the Hindu pantheon. Usually depicted in a fearful form, Kali is the destroyer as well as the liberator. Goddess Kali, in her wrathful form, is worshipped by thousand of devotees, who come all the way from distant parts of India and the World. The temple attracts a major portion of visitors to Kolkata.
Kalighat Temple is an important religious place for the followers of Hinduism. As per the legends, the different body parts of Sati fell on the earth at the time of self-sacrifice. It is believed that the right toe of Sati fell here and subsequently; the temple was erected to commemorate the Goddess. Goddess Kalika is the presiding deity in the Kalighat Temple.
Another legend says that once a devotee saw a bright ray of light impending from Bhagirathi River. He located the light and discovered a piece of stone in the form of a human toe. In its vicinity, he also found a 'Svayambhu Lingam' of Nakuleshwar Bhairav. He placed the images in a small temple and started worshipping them in the forest.
The popularity of the temple grew with the times and it got the recognition of Kalighat Kali Temple. The present structure of Kali Temple was constructed about 200 years ago. In 1809, Kalighat Kali Temple was built by Sabarna Roy Chowdhury of Barisha. Kalighat Temple has been often referred in the texts like Mansar Bhasan of 15th century.
The original temple was built by Raja Basanta Roy, who was the uncle of Pratapaditya and the King of Jessore (Bangladesh). The original temple was sited on the banks of Hooghly; however the river has shifted away from the temple with the period of time. In the past days, traders used to take stop at Kalighat to pay their obeisance to Goddess Kali.
Situated on the banks of Adi Ganga, the temple has a sanctum sanctorum in the company of a huge hall by the name of Nat Mandir. In the north-east of this sanctum, there is a Shiva Temple. There is one more shrine dedicated to Radha Krishna. The main attraction of this temple lies in the image of Goddess Kali that bears a long protruded tongue made out of gold.
The main shrine comprises the image of Goddess Kali. The image of the deity appears incomplete. On the initial level, the face of the goddess was made and further tongue and hands made of gold and silver were added to the image. On the day of 'Snan Yatra' (Bathing Ceremony), the priests cover their eyes with cloth strips, while giving the ceremonial bath to the Goddess. Festivals like Kali Puja, Durga Puja, Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year day and Sankranti witness huge number of devotees at the temple with offerings.
History of Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata
The Kalighat
temple in its present form is only about 200 years old, although it has
been referred to in Mansar Bhasan composed in the 15th century, and in
Kavi Kankan Chandi of the 17th century.
The original
temple was a small hut. A small temple was constructed by King
Manasingha in the early Sixteenth century. The present temple was
erected under the patronage of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family of
Banisha. It was completed in 1809.
In the
nineteen sixties a committee was formed for the administrative
management of the temple with representation from the Government and the
Haldar family.
Other Famous Temples in Kolkata
Birla Temple
Dakshineswar Temple
Pareshnath Jain Temple
Nakuleshwar Temple
How to Rich Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata
By Air : Kolkata is well connected by air to all major countries in the world, as well as to Indian cities. The air carriers that have flights to and from the city include Aeroflot, Air France, Air India, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Royal Nepal Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International.
By Rail : Trains are available from all parts of the country to Calcutta. Most inward bound trains stop at Howrah, which is also the station from which major trains to other cities depart. Most trains heading to areas such as New Jalpaiguri and other provinces in the north-east stop at the other station, Sealdah. Local trains to nearby towns are available from both stations, depending on which part of West Bengal you want to go to. Since Howrah and Sealdah are not exactly a hop, skip and jump away from each other, do remember to check which station you need you board your train from, when you buy your ticket!
By Road - A few buses ply from Orissa and Bihar to Calcutta. However, these are highly uncomfortable and best avoided. Buses are also available to nearby towns, especially if you wish to visit Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri on your trip to Calcutta. Depending on which direction you're heading in, buses could depart from the end of the Maidan near Chowringhee Road, or the bus stand at Babu Ghat near Fort William. A few tour operators have their own private bus stands, so do make inquiries.
Picture Gellery of Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata
Google Map for Kalighat Kali Temple Kolkata
Dedicated to: Goddesh Durga
