Kalighat Temple, Kolkata

Kalighat Temple or Kali temple is a renowned Hindu temple located in Kalighat, Kolkata. It is considered as one of the Shakti peetha among 51 shakti peeth located in the world. This famous temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali.

In this shakti peeth, The goddess is worshipped as Dakshina Kali and Lord Shiva is worshipped as Nakuleshwar. It is believed that the right big toe of Goddess Sati had fallen at this location of Kalighat. Durga Puja is the main festival celebrated at this temple with great enthusiasm and joy. Best time to visit the temple is during Navratri celebration, celebrated every year. The temple is considered as one of the important pilgrimage destinations of Kolkata for hinduism.

History of kalighat temple

Kalighat Temple is believed to be constructed during the time of Chandragupta II. The original kalighat temple was a small structure constructed by King Manasingha in the early 16th century. The present structure of this famous Shakti peeth was built in 1809 under the patronage of Sabarna Roy Chowdhry family of Banisha.

Kalighat temple is one of the famous temples of kolkata, dedicated to Goddess Kali. Kalighat Kali Temple is regarded as one among the 51 Shakti Peethas of goddess Sati. According to mythology, kalighat shakti peeth is the place where the toe from the right foot of Goddess Sati has fallen at this place.

There are many stories which are related to the establishment of Shakti peeth located in India and neighbouring countries. A popular story is about the death of the goddess Sati, wife of Lord shiva.

Prajapati Daksha, father of goddess Sati was son of Lord Brahma. Goddess Sati was fully devoted to Lord Shiva and wanted to marry him but his father wanted her to marry another man as he didn’t like Lord Shiva due to his appearance.

But she married Lord Shiva against her father’s choice. Prajapati Daksha didn’t like Lord Shiva and his way of living a simple life and appearance. One day Prajapati Daksha held a Yagna in which he invited all the gods and goddesses including his father Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu but he didn’t invite Lord Shiva.

Goddess Sati came to know about the news about the yagna and went to her father’s. Lord Shiva tried much to stop the Goddess but she went to her parents house. Her father , Daksha Prajapati started insulting Lord Shiva on his appearance and the way he lives his life. Hearing all those hateful words for her husband, the Goddess couldn’t bear anymore and sacrificed herself there by jumping in the yagna fire.

Lord Shiva was filled with much anger, carried Sati’s body, and started tandav Nritya around the world. Lord Vishnu, in order to save the universe, cut goddess Sati’s body into 51 body parts, with his Sudarshana Chakra, which fell on 51 different places on the earth which is known as shakti peeth and became holy pilgrimage sites where people can pay homage to the goddess Sati and can worship shakti and Lord Shiva.

Most of the Shakti Peetha are located in India, but out of 51 Shakti Peethas seven are located in Bangladesh, three in Pakistan, three in Nepal, and one each in Tibet, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.

According to the hindu mythology, This Hindu temple is in Kolkata, West Bengal. Kalighat is the site where Maa Sati’s toes of the right foot had fallen. The goddess resides here as Shakti Kalika.

Location of Kalighat Temple

Kalighat temple is located at a distance of about 13 km from Kolkata Railway Station. Kalighat Kali Temple is a Hindu temple located in Kalighat area of Kolkata in West Bengal.

Location of kalighat temple is in Anami Sangha, Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal Pin code – 700026

Architecture of Kalighat Temple

Kalighat temple is located on the banks of Adi Ganga, Hooghly river. The temple has a sanctum sanctorum along with a huge hall called Nat Mandir. In the north-east of this kalighat temple, there is a Temple of Lord Shiva located and a small shrine, which is dedicated to Radha Krishna. The main attraction of this famous Shaktipeeth lies in the image of Goddess Kali that bears three huge eyes, a long protruded tongue and four hands which all are made of gold. Two of these hands holding a scimitar and a severed head of the asura king ‘Shumbha’ while the other two hands are in the Abhaya and Varada mudras.

kalighat temple opening time

Every day, the Temple is opened for its pilgrims and devotees early at 5:00 a.m. and closes for the ‘Bhog'(food offering) of the deity at 2:00 p m. and reopens its door for the second half at 5:00 p.m. and finally closes for the day at 10:30 p.m.

It is also to be mentioned for the pilgrims that their entry is free.

Darshan Dress Code of kalighat Shakti Peeth

At this Shakti peeth, There is no dress code but women and  men are supposed to be in clean and washed dress  while entering this holy temple.

Major Festival of Kalighat Temple

Durga Puja and Kali puja is the main festival celebrated in the kalighat temple. Navratri is celebrated twice a year during September-October and in March-April, which is celebrated for a total of nine days and is dedicated to the goddess Durga, Adi Shakti. Each day has special significance during Navratri. Nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped with great fervour.

During Navratri, the temple is decorated beautifully with flowers and lights, and special prayers and rituals are performed every day. On the tenth day,known as Vijayadashami, a large procession is taken out in which the idol of the goddess is carried around the city.

Other festivals like Kali Puja, Diwali are also celebrated at this Shakti peeth.

Best time to visit kalighat temple

Kalighat Shakti peeth attracts a large number of devotees and pilgrimage throughout the year. This popular Shakti peeth can be visited in any month but the best time to visit is during Navratri festival which is celebrated in the month of September-October, which is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm for a period of ten days.

How to reach

There are several modes of communication available for the pilgrims or devotees or tourists to reach the Kalighat Kali Temple. Those are as follows:

By Air-The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is the nearest airport to the Kalighat Temple. This airport connects Kolkata with other major cities of the country. The temple is located about 25 km from the airport. At the airport, you can book a cab or taxi to reach your destination.

By Railway-Howrah Junction is the nearest Railway Station to the kalighat temple. This railway station connects Kolkata to all other major cities in India via rail network. At the railway station, you can book a taxi or cab to reach your destination.

By Road- The Temple is located away from Shyamaprasad Mukherjee road. Kalighat Temple is well connected via well constructed roads. You can visit the temple through any of the means of transport.

Frequently Asked Questions