About Kalighat Temple Kolkata
- Kalighat Kali Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu goddess Kali, located in Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Kali and is considered as one of Indias 51 shakti peethas. The Deity of Kali at the Kalighat temple is unique in that she was not designed following the usual patterns of the other images of Goddess Kali of Hinduism.
Kalighat Temple History
- It is said that Kalighat Kali Temple was founded by a holy man, Kuranga Giri (after whom Kolkatas Choringhee district is named), who discovered the impression of the face of Kali, and built the initial temple of Kali inside a small cottage. Kalighat is also associated with worship offered to Hindu Goddess Kali by a Dasanami monk named Chowranga Giri, and it is said that the Chowringhee area of Kolkata is named after him. Kalighat is a ghat (landing stage) dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, in the Old Course (Adi Ganga) of Hooghly River (Bhagirathi) in the city of Calcutta.
Story of Kalighat Temple Kolkata
- Located in the Old Course of Hooghly river, the Kali temple at Kalighat is considered as one of Indias most famous temples of Kali, and is amongst the most popular places to visit in a tour to Kolkata. Kalighat Kali Temple is considered to be one of 51 Shakti Peethas in India, which is said to be the site where different parts of the Satis body fell, during Shivas Rudra Tandava. According to popular belief, the Kalighat Kali Temple of Kolkata is where one of the parts of Satis body, the Satis,
is believed to have fallen. - It is believed that the right toe of Sati fell there, and later; the Kalighat temple in Kolkata was built in honour of the goddess Kali. The spot where the toe of the right leg of Goddess Sati fell is believed to be the spot on which Kalighat temple is now located. The Kalighat temple of Kali is said to be located on the exact site of where one of the parts of Satis body fell as Lord Vishnu broke up her body into 51 pieces. Kalighat temple, in Kolkata, is situated on the banks of the Hooghly river, and has a sacred shrine, along with an enormous hall called Nat Mandir.
How to Reach Kalighat Temple Kolkata
- By Air – If you are going by air then you have to arrive at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. From airport the temple is 12 km. far. You can easily take bus from there.
- By Train – If you are going by train you have to arrive at Shalimar Railway Station. From Pathankot it is 5 km. far. You can easily opt bus, cab or auto for the mandir.
- By Road– Kalighat Kali Temple Kolkata is well connected by road. Everyone can easily reach here.