Dakshineswar Kali Temple Kolkata

Introduction to Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Kolkata is home to many renowned temples described in myth and legend. The city is a popular pilgrimage destination. Dakshineswar Kali Temple lies on the eastern banks of the Hooghly River in Barrackpore, North Kolkata. This historical Hindu temple houses Maa Bhavatarini as the main deity; she is an incarnation of Maa Kali. Adishakti Kalika is another name for the deity.

History of Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Rani Rashmoni, from the Mahishya caste, built the temple in the 19th century. She was well-known for her philanthropic activities. In 1847, she embarked on a pilgrimage to Kasi to express her love and devotion for the Divine Mother. Rani and her entourage traveled in 24 boats carrying relatives, servants with supplies.

The night before the pilgrimage began, she had a dream of Divine Mother Kali, who told her to build a temple on the banks of the Ganga and not in Benaras.

She bought a 20-acre plot from Jake Hastie, an Englishman who was then popularly known as Saheban Bagicha. It took eight years to build the temple; she spent a sum of nine lakh rupees to build it.

The idol of Maa Kali was installed on the Snana-Yatra day, an auspicious day for Hindus. On May 31, 1855, over one lakh Brahmins came from across the country to grace the auspicious occasion by special invitation. Ramkumar Chattopadhyay was the first head priest. After his death, the mystic Ramakrishna and his wife Sarada Devi took the position. Rani Rashmoni, before her death, handed over her Dinajpur property to the temple trust to maintain the Dakshineswar Kali Temple. She accomplished her task on February 18, 1861, and died the next day.

The Architecture of Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Rani Rashmoni of Jaan Bazar, who was a philanthropist and an ardent devotee of Maa Kali, built the Dakshineswar Kali Temple in 1854. She initiated the temple's construction in 1847 and completed it in 1855. It was opened to visitors two years before the Sepoy Mutiny, also known as India's first War of Independence.

The temple occupies an area of 20 acres. It features a Bengali style of architecture with the traditional Nava Ratna or nine spires. This three-tier, south-facing temple has nine spires in the upper two tiers. Dakshineswar Kali Temple boasts a height of 100 feet, standing on a raised platform.

The sanctum sanctorum has an idol of Kali standing on the chest of Shiva, who rests in a lying posture. These two idols are on a silver lotus flower. In front of the sanctum, people can see a spacious Natmandir (dance hall).

There are twelve shrines next to the temple's boundary that are dedicated to Shiva. These idols are placed on a thousand-leaved, silver lotus flower. These shrines feature the Atchala style of Bengali architecture. On the north-east of the temple are the shrines of Vishnu, Radha Krishna, and Rani Rashmoni, and there is a bathing ghat on the riverside. In the north-west corner of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, the Nahabat chamber is located. It is where the mystic Ramakrishna and his wife, Maa Sarada Devi, spent a considerable part of their lives.

Festivals in Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Kali Pooja (October-November), Snana Yatra (June-July), Navratri, Diwali, and Kalpataru day are the important festivals in Dakshineswar Kali Temple.

Benefits of Worshipping at Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Worshipping Maa Kali at Dakshineswar Kali Temple is believed to bring spiritual and material benefits to devotees. It is said to help one attain peace, prosperity, and success in life. It is also believed to help overcome obstacles, remove negative energies, and bring good health and well-being.