When we talk about Kolkata there is so much to explore here already. From beautiful gardens, to parks, to historical monuments to amusement parks or temples you will find it all here. But when it comes to the site of pilgrimage then also Kolkata has a huge option to explore. One such really important temple is the Kalighat Kolkata. The Kalighat Kali Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, and not just that, it is one of the major Shakti Peetha too. The Kalighat Kali Maa is considered extremely powerful and a lot of visitors from all over come and visit this temple in Kolkata. What makes the Kalighat Temple more popular is the beautiful architecture and the history attached to it.
It is certainly one of the most important sites of pilgrimage in Kolkata and even in the country. So if you are ever visiting Kolkata then you must visit the Kalighat Temple. As a powerful Shakti Peetha this temple already holds a lot of importance for the Shakti worshippers. So if you are interested to know everything about Kalighat Shakti Peetha then keep on reading this article. Here I will mention which part of Sati fell in Kalighat, how to reach Kalighat, the history of Kalighat temple and more. This will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip to Kalighat Kolkata.
Kalighat Kolkata
Location of Kalighat Kolkata: Anami Sangha, Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal
Kalighat temple timings: The Kalighat Kali Temple timings are from 5 am to 2 pm and again from 5 pm to 10:30 pm
Entry fee of Kalighat Kolkata: There is no entry fee
Which body part of Sati fell in Kalighat?
The Kalighat Temple in Kolkata is one of the most important of the 51 Shakti Peethas and according to popular beliefs the right toe of Devi Sati fell here.
How to reach Kalighat Kolkata
By air
If you are travelling by air then the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is the nearest airport. From the airport the distance to Kalighat Temple is 25.9 km and it would take around an hour to reach the temple from there. It would be best to get a cab or take a taxi from the airport to reach the temple. Or you will also get buses from the airport to reach the temple as well.
By train
The Howrah Junction is the major railway station that is located near the Kalighat Temple. Howrah to Kalighat distance is 14.5 km and you can reach there in about 39 minutes. You can cover Howrah to Kalighat route in any of the buses going toward south Kolkata. Also you can travel the Howrah to Kalighat distance in a taxi available from the station itself. Or else you can also hire a cab to reach the temple from there without any hassle.
The Sealdah Station is also one of the nearest railway stations to reach the temple. This is 7.2 km away from the Kalighat Temple and you can reach there in about 30 minutes. You can take a bus from Sealdah station to reach Kalighat. Or else you can take another train from the South Section in Sealdah Station on the Budge Budge line and get down at Tollygunge Railway Station. From there the Kalighat temple is only 1.6 km away and you can reach there in 5 minutes. You can easily take the buses from there and it’s only one stoppage away from the station. Or you can choose to walk for 10 minutes to reach the temple as well.
By road
The city of Kolkata is connected really well through buses. You will get many buses from various parts of the city. You will have to take the buses going towards south Kolkata to reach the temple. The temple is located on the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Road and the nearest bus stop is Kalighat bus stop. You can get down at Gariahat, Rashbehari or Hazra bus stops as well to reach the temple. From these locations you will also get autos to reach the temple. Or else you can even walk up to the temple.
You can also take your own vehicle to reach the temple as well or else you can take the taxis available. Or you can also opt for a cab or hire a car to reach Kalighat Kolkata.
By metro
The most convenient option to reach the Kalighat Temple is by metro. Kalighat metro station is the nearest metro station to reach the temple. From the Kalighat metro station the temple is located only 450 meters away. You can easily walk from the metro station to reach the Kalighat temple in about 3 minutes.
Overview of Kalighat Kolkata
The Kalighat Temple in Kolkata is one of the holiest of the 51 Shakti Peethas that are spread across India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. This temple is located on the bank of a small canal that is popular as the Adi Ganga. It is popular because this small canal connects to the Hooghly River and it was also the original course of the river. Also in Sanskrit Adi means original or first. It is one of the sacred sites of pilgrimage in Kolkata that holds a lot of importance for the worshippers of Shakti.
History of Kalighat Temple
The present day structure of the Kalighat Temple goes back to the 19th century and it is more than 200 years old as well. However in terms of literal references there had been mentions of this temple in the compositions of Kavi Chandi and Mansar Bhasan that belonged to the 15th century and 17th century. In Lalmohan Bidyanidhi’s Sambad Nirnoy also there had been mention of the Kalighat Temple. According to history, at the earliest the Kalighat Temple was a small hut structure. Later during the 16th century King Manasingha commissioned the construction of a bigger structure of the temple. Furthermore in 1809 under the patronage of Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family in Barisha the present day structure of the temple was completed.
However there had been some evidence and factual proofs that suggest that the temple belonged from the time of the Gupta Dynasty itself. With the description and presence of coinage belonging to Gupta period there are proofs that, may be the temple existed even during the time of Gupta ruler Kumaragupta I.
Legend of Kalighat Kolkata
The Kalighat Kolkata is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and there is a legend associated with it. According to a legend once Devi Sati attended a yagna at her father’s house without an invitation. She went there against Lord Shiva’s wish. However her father badly humiliated her and Lord Shiva, which she was unable to bear the shame of. In turn she decided to sacrifice herself in the fire of yagna. When Lord Shiva came to know about this he started his Rudra Tandav with Devi Sati’s burnt body that would have caused Pralay or destruction of the world. To save the world Lord Vishnu then let his Sudarshan Chakra cut Devi Sati’s body. And all the places where her body parts fell became the Shakti Peethas. Here at the Kalighat Temple the right toe of Devi Sati fell and the deity here is called Kalika.
Kalighat Maa Kali Idol
One of the major attractions of Kalighat Kolkata is undoubtedly the idol of Kalighat Kali Maa. The Kalight Maa Kali idol is not like any other idol or deities of Maa Kali that we generally witness. Here the idol has three big eyes, four hands along with a long protruding tongue. Atmaram Giri and Brahmananda Giri, two saints crafted the idol of the Goddess here using sandstone. Moreover the tongue and eyes of the Goddess are made of pure gold.
The hands of the Goddess here hold a scimitar and that signifies the possession of divine knowledge. On the other hand she holds the severed head of demon Sumbha. However the severed head signifies the human ego of man and it reflects how divine knowledge is required to shed off human ego. Therefore it also preaches that only after removing the ego from our behavior one can attain Moksha in its truest sense.
Other attractions in Kalighat Kolkata
Jor Bangla
This is basically the verandah or the platform just outside the main sanctum. From here you can see the main rituals that are taking place inside the Garbha Griha.
Natmandir
The Natmandir is a rectangular space located on the side of the temple building. In 1835 Zamindar Kashinath Roy commissioned the construction of this Natmandir. From the Natmandir a clear view of the Goddess is visible.
Sasthi Tala
This is a 3 feet high platform rectangular in shape. The platform has three stone structures which represent three Goddesses namely Sashti, Mangal Chandi and Shitala. These Goddesses are forms of the deity itself. In 1880 Gobinda Das Mondal constructed this structure in the temple.
Harkath Tala
Just adjacent to the Natmandir on the southern side of the temple there is the Harkath Tala. This area is basically the place where sacrifices or bali of animals takes place.
Radha Krishna Temple
This is a separate temple of Radha Krishna inside the temple premises located towards the west of the main temple building. A settlement officer from Murshidabad built this temple in 1723. However later in 1843 a Zamindar Uday Narayan Mondal re-built the temple which is the present day structure on the same spot. There is a separate kitchen here as well that they use to prepare the vegetarian bhog for Radha Krishna.
Kundupukur
This is a sacred tank that spreads across an area of 7200 sq feet. People consider the water of this tank as holy as the Ganga River itself.
Nakuleshwar Mahadev Temple
This is the temple of Lord Shiva in the form of Nakuleshwar Mahadev who is the consort of Goddess Kali. On the opposite lane of the Kalighat temple you will find this temple.
Wrapping Up!
Now that you have all the information about the Kalighat Temple Kolkata, you should surely plan a visit to this temple. The temple is a sacred site of pilgrimage and holds extreme relevance historically, mythologically and spiritually. The legend and stories attached to this temple in Kolkata makes this even more mystic and alluring. You will be able to feel the divine ambience of the temple once you visit this temple. Also the idol of the Goddess here is unique and you need to visit here at least once to know about the importance of this site. So when are you planning a visit to this temple in Kolkata? Also let me know if this particular article on Kalighat Kolkata is helpful for you in planning a trip to the temple.
