Located in Dakshineswar near Kolkata, Dakshineswar Kali Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. Situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, the presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, an aspect of Kali. Rani Rashmoni Devi established this magnificent temple of Bhavatarini at Dakshineswar in 1855.

Location West Bengal, North 24 Pargan, Kolkata

Legend

According to the legends, once Rashmoni Devi was preparing to go for a pilgrimage to Kashi along with her 24 boats. The night before the pilgrimage, she got a vision from the Divine Mother. In that vision, Goddess Kali said to her to build a temple for Her by the banks of the Hoogly River. She even confirmed that She will settle there and the Rani won't have to travel to Kashi anymore. The Rani did so and this is how the temple of Dakshineswar was built.

Architecture

The temple of Dakshineswar Kali Ma was built in a typical Bengal style of temple architecture. There are 9 spires called the Nava-Ratna in the temple shapped in a chariot form with fixed wheel on both sides. The height of the temple is 30 m. The sanctum sanctorum or the Garbha Griha is where the Holy Mother is placed on a huge silver throne. The idol of Goddess Bhavatarini is made of black stone and Lord Shiva is lying under Her foot. There are 12 Shiva Temples made in aat chala style towards the ghat. There is also a temple of Shri Vishnu or the Radha Kanta's temple besides the main Temple of Kali ma.

Culture

Calcutta or today's Kolkata, known as the cultural capital of India has contributed immensely in enriching the cultural aspects of not only the whole Bengal but represented India to the world in though literature, theater, music, art, craft and other performing arts.

Bengalis boast on their first Indian Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Laureate Mother Teresa, the great filmmaker and Oscar winner for his lifetime achievement Satyajit Ray, world-famous filmmakers Mrinal Sen, Rittik Ghatak, the first Bengal Generation of the Beat Poets- The trio- Sakti Chatterjee, Sunil Ganguly and Subhas Mukherjee who reflected the efflorescence of the revolutionary poesy in their poetry that Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and many other poets introduced in the West.

Even today, Kolkata stands among the top listing stops that stage the finest theaters, musical performances and recitations.

Bengal is also famous for its handloom. Over the centuries, the Tant saree from Fulia, Sahantipur or that of the Silk from Murshidabad, Bishnupur, and Bankura have created a deep impact on not only the Bengali women but also among saree connoisseurs throughout the country and abroad.

Calcutta houses some of the finest and world-class art galleries such as the Academy of Fine arts, CIMA Art Gallery, Gaganendra Art Gallery and so on. This is the home of world- famous artists.

Bengali cuisine has also entered the world panorama for its finest sweet delicacies and fish preparations that are exclusively crafted with traditional Bengali fervor with its best. People coming to Bengal cannot afford to miss out the exclusive sweet dishes such as rosogolla, chhanar gilipi, Misti Doi (sweet yoghurt), langcha and payesh prepared with date molasses.

Darsan Info

From October to March the Mandir remains opened: 6:00 a.m to 12.30 p.m and 3:00 p.m to 8:30 pm.

Again from April to Septemtember, the temple remains open from: 6 a.m to 12.30 p.m and 3:30 p.m to 9:00 pm.

Darsan Dresscode

Nothing Specific

Temple Rituals

Devotees can come inside the temple and pray in front of the Goddess. Else, they can also offer the puja from outside or from the Nat mandir.

Special Rituals

Kali Puja, Kalpataru Utsav, Snana Yatra

Additional Info

 

Bancharam Sweet and snack shop, Oh! Calcutta, Sigree, 6, Ballygung Place, Bhojohari Manna, Kasturi, Bijoli Grill, Oudh, Mainland China, Barbeque Nation, Tangerine, Peter Cat, Mocambo, Sangu Valley, Coffee-House and more.

 Supermarket : Available