KALI TEMPLE OF KALIGHAT

This monsoon, come and stop by the Kali Ghat of Kolkata to know what history this place holds. Time for Durga Pujo is approaching fast and you will want to book your direct flights from New York to Kolkata to witness this event. So come on, let’s know something about the famous Kali temple in Kolkata. Kali temple is built on one of the Ghats on the banks of the river Hugli. Though it stands over the banks of a canal at present, it is believed that this had been the course of river Hugli in olden days.

Kolkata received its present name from Kalighat indicating this temple. Kalighat is one of the 51 Shakti peetams. Shiva did not permit Dhakshayani to attend the yagna held by her father Daksha as Shiva was not invited. However Dhakshyani attends and gets humiliated by her father Daksha in the yagna and falls in the fire of yagna.

Shiva got furious on hearing about the humiliation of Dhakshayani took the form of Rudra and slayed all the Gods and Daksha who participated in the yagna. Shiva in Rudra form took the remains of Dhakshayani and ferociously did Rudra thandavam (the famous Rudra dance).

All Gods sought the help of Vishnu to pacify Shiva and in turn Vishnu chopped the remains of Dhakshayani. All her body parts fell over 51 places in Indian subcontinent and they became 51 Shakthi peetams. Kalighat is one among them where the right toe of Dhakshayani fell.

Legend of the temple says that in 1570, Padmabati Debi, wife of Jiya Gangopadhyaya of the Sabarna Roy Choudhry family saw a luminant ray of light coming from the Kali Kunda, and after a lot of research and investigation its source came upon a piece of stone carved in the form of a human foot. She built a temple which was merely a hut under thatched roof of coconut leaves.

Present day temple is erected by Santosh Roy Choudhry in 1799 and completed by his grandson Rajiblochon Roy Choudhury in 1809. Their family is the owner of this temple. Halder family of Kalighat was appointed as "Purahita" of the temple.

The idol of Kali in this temple is unique and do not have the style of Bengal Kalis. Present idol was made with granite by Atmaram Brahmachari and Brahmananda Giri based on the idol of Mata Bhubaneshwari, the family deity of the Choudhury family.

Fascinating! Isn’t it? If you wish to witness the ongoing of this temple then please do book tickets from JFK to Kolkata as that is one of the busiest routes through air. Indian Eagle has got cheap flights from New York to Kolkata. So you better book JFK to Kolkata flights. Bon Voyage!

-Indian Eagle