Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata, West Bengal

Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata, West Bengal

Kalighat Kali Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali located in the City of Kolkata in West Bengal, India. The Goddess is worshipped here as Kalika and the Lord as Nakuleshwar Bhairav. The Kalighat temple in its present form is only about 200 years old. The name Calcutta is said to have been derived from the word Kalighat. This temple is considered as one of the four Adi Sakthi Peethas and part of 51 Shakti Peethas in Indian Subcontinent. Being one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of Hindu Mythology, this temple is one of the holiest sites for devotees of the Shakti sect of Hinduism.

Kalighat was a Ghat (landing stage) sacred to Kali on the old course of the Hooghly river (Bhagirathi) in the city of Calcutta. The river over a period of time has moved away from the temple. The temple is now on the banks of a small canal called Adi Ganga which connects to the Hooghly. The Adi Ganga was the original course of the river Hooghly. Hence the name Adi (original) Ganga. The temple is associated with the Nath/Siddha tradition. Chowringee Natha is said to have founded the Kali temple of Kalighat.

Legends

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History

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The Temple

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Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 5.00 A.M. to 2.00 P.M and 5.00 P.M to 10.30 P.M. It is closed from 2.00 P.M to 5.00 P.M. for Bhog. There are Aarthis in the morning and evening.

Pooja Timings

Poojas	Sun/Sat/Tue	Weekdays
Opening Time (For Mangal Aarti)	4.00 A.M	4.00 A.M
Opening Time (For Public)	5.00 A.M	5.00 A.M
Nitya Puja	5.30 A.M to 7.00 A.M	5.30 A.M to 7.00 A.M
Bhog Rag	2.30 P.M. to 3.30 P.M.	2.00 P.M. to 3.00 P.M.
Sandhya Aarti	6.30 P.M. to 7.00 P.M.	6.30 P.M. to 7.00 P.M.
Closing of Temple	11.30 P.M.	10.30 P.M.

Festivals

Snan Jatra (Jatra same as the Hindi word Yatra) — can be translated as the Bath Festival. This is also observed in the Bengali month of Aashad. The toes of Goddess Kali (in stone) are usually kept under lock and key under the main idol. On the appointed day, the officiating priest, blindfolded, opens the box and washes the holy toes thoroughly, using plenty of scented water. The main idol which devotees worship is not exposed to any abishek at all. Saris offered to the Goddess in the earlier year, are removed and new clothes put on. The colours preferred are red, black and blue. Pieces of the old saris are distributed to devotees — mar pid vastra. These can be kept either in one's puja or placed in an amulet and worn. This is supposed to be beneficial. The temple is crowded during Kali Puja, Durga Puja, Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year day and Sankranti.

Religious Significance

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Useful Information

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Connectivity

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Location