In Hindu Mythology, Goddess Kali is one of the most popularly worshiped deities all the year-round.
Goddess Kali represents the Devi Maa‘s fierce form.
In West Bengal, you can find lots of Kali Temples, each having its history and importance. Devotees from all over India come to Bengal to worship ‘Maa’ all year round, so their desires may come true.
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Given below are some of the most famous Kali temples in West Bengal:
- Kalighat Kali Temple
- Dakhineswar Kali Temple
- Tarapith Kali Temple
- Dakatkali Kali Temple
- Adyapith
- Kankalitala Kali Temple
- Thanthania Kali Temple
- Kiriteshwar Temple
- Bakeshwar Temple
- Nalhateshwari Temple
Now let’s see the history and details of each of these temples.
1. Kalighat Kali Temple
Kalighat Kali Temple is one of the most prominent Sati Peeth among the 51 Sati Peeths and is located in Kolkata. The temple is divided into four areas, Sasthitala Rammandir, Jor Bangla- Harikat Tala, Radhakrishna Mandir, & Kundupukur.
Every year, the idol is bathed on a specific day called the ‘Snan Jatra.’
Daily, hundreds of devotees come to the temple to worship ‘Maa Kali.’ It is believed that ‘Devi Maa‘ makes all the desires of the devotees come true.
Kalighat Address: Anami Sangha, Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700026
History of Kalighat Kali Temple
According to the Vedas, the finger of Ma Sati‘s right foot fell on this holy place. This Kali Temple, located on the banks of the Hooghly river, is about 200 years old.
The idol is made up of touchstone and is decorated with gold and silver carvings.
Kalighat Kali Temple Timings
| Every day | 05:00 AM – 02:00 PM and 05:00 PM – 10:30 PM |
2. Dakhineswar Kali Temple
Dakshineswar Kali Temple is located in North Kolkata on the banks of the river Hoogly in Baranagar.
Here Devi Maa is worshiped as ‘Maa Vabatarini‘. The devotees could feel the charm of ‘Devi Maa‘ spread around the temple.
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Devotees who visit the temple also offer flowers and Ganga Jal to the 12 Shiv Lings, present adjacent to the Main Temple.
Dakhineswar Address: Dakshineswar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700076
History of Dakhineswar Kali Temple
Dakhineswar Kali Temple was built by a philanthropist widow of Bengal, ‘Rani Rashmoni‘. Society when the temple was built believed in untouchability. As a result, no Brahmin wanted to worship the deity or enter the temple.
The construction of the temple started in 1847 and was completed in 1855.
The worshipping of Maa Kali here was first proposed by Ram Krishna Parammansa Deb.
Dakineswar Kali Temple Timings
| October to March | 06:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 03:00 PM – 08:30 PM |
| April to September | 06:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 03:00 PM – 09:00 PM |
3. Tarapith Kali Temple
Tarapith, also known as Mahapith is located on the banks of the river Dwarka in Birbhum District.
The Maa Tara deity has four hands, has a garland made of skulls, the idol is covered with a saree, a crown on the head, and a silver umbrella above her head.
Devi Maa‘s head bears a special vermillion, which glorifies her look. The devotees offer Reshmi Sarees, and Coconuts, especially on New Moon day, also known as ‘Koushiki Amabashya‘.
The burning grounds of Tarapith attract a lot of Tantriks and Sadhus from across India.
Maa Tara is worshipped locally in almost all houses.
Tarapith Address: VIP Road, Tarapith, City, Rampurhat, West Bengal 731233
History of Tarapith Kali Temple
This temple is considered to be of utmost mystery and is also one of the 51 Sati Peeth of India. The 3rd Eye of Devi Sati is believed to have fallen here.
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As history reveals, Rishi Bashista had witnessed this divine form of Sati and worshipped as Maa Tara. This temple is not only visited by people all across India, but also from across the world.
The temple has simple ancient architecture. The walls are thick with Kurushetra, and Mahabhami battles sculpted on them.
Tarapith Kali Temple Timings
| Every day | 06:00 AM – 09:00 PM |
4. Dakatkali Kali Temple
Dakat kali Mandir is situated in Singur, which is more or less 500 years old. It is located in Baidyabati, Puroshottam Area.
The other local villagers there could not worship any other form of deities.
Dakat Kali Maa fulfills all wishes of her devotees. On kali puja days women are not allowed to enter temples and the worship is all done by men themselves.
DakatKali Address: Singur, Purushottampur, Jamirberia, West Bengal 712409
History of Dakatkali Kali Temple
Historically, it is related to Ramakrishna and his wife Sarada Devi. Sarada Devi while on her way to see Ramkrishna dev who was ill, was blocked by dacoits, Raghu and Gogon. While they tried to rob Ma Sarada they witnessed the magnificent red eyes of Maa Kali.
They repented for their action and sought forgiveness from Sarada Ma. They helped Ma Sarada Devi with shelter and offered her food.
DakatKali Kali Temple Timings
| Every day | 05:00 AM – 02:00 PM and 05:00 PM – 10:30 PM |
5. Adyapith
Adyapith is one of the most famous Kali temples located near Dakshineswar, Kolkata.
The people who visit the place are not allowed to touch the idol and the temple premises. The idol is placed below a Radha Krishna deity, and below Devi maa’s deity, the idol of Shriramkrishna is seen.
Adyapith Address: 50, DD Mondal Ghat Rd, Dakshineswar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700076
History of Adyapith
The historical aspects of this temple are related to Sri Ramakrishna and Ananda Thakur Mukhopadhyay. Annadathkur gained devotion towards Addya Ma on coming into the vicinity of Sri Ramakrishna.
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Annadathakur discover the deity under a coconut and Pakur tree and the deity was left as it is.
A lot of people came to see Addya Ma, as well as experienced happiness and peace, becoming a devotee of Annada Thakur.
Adyapith Timings
| Every day | 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 03:30 PM – 08:30 PM |
6. Kankalitala Kali Temple
KankaliTala is situated in Bolpur, Birbhum district, on the bank of river Kopai.
This place is located near Shantiniketan, and people often like to visit it while visiting Sonajhuri Haat as well.
People get to see another heart-touching form of “Maa Kali” here.
In front of Devi maa temple there is a Shiv temple where shiv is worshipped as “Roruvairav”. The temple’s beauty is enhanced by the folk songs of Baul Singer every day.
There is a small pool adjacent to Devi maa’s temple.
Kankali Tala Address: Bolpur Labh Pur Road, Kankalitala, West Bengal 731204
History of Kankali Tala
It is one of the famous 51 Satipeeths, where the waist of Ma Sati was believed to have fallen.
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In ancient times and even now there is no form of deity and worship of devi maa is performed on a framed photo on a bed.
Under the bed 108 human skulls were buried under the ground.
Kankalitala Timings
| Every day | 06:00 AM – 08:00 PM |
7. Thanthania Kali Temple
Thantania kali bari s one of the most famous Kali temples in Kolkata.
A large no.of devotees visit the place every year wishing good luck and desire.
Thanthania Kali Temple Address: Bidhan Sarani, College Street Market, Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700006
History of Thanthania Kali Temple
The area of Thantania Kali bari was once upon a time captured by many robbers and dacoits. The area was thickly forested.
The Thamtamia Kali temple was first initiated by Shankar Ghosh. A huge bell was hung in the temple which was rung to alert the local people from the attack of dacoits.
Thanthania Kali Temple Timings
| Every day | 06:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 03:00 PM – 07:00 PM |
8. Kiriteshwar Temple
Kiriteshwar mandir, located in Murshidabad, is one of the Satipeeths of India. It is one of the most unique holy places in West Bengal.
Every year a grand fair is held in the Kiriteshwar Mandir area. Darpanarayan built a shiv mandir and his descendant built roads and cut canals for further communication. The temple was further repaired by Jogendra Narayan Ray for the last time.
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From then the local people looked after the welfare of the temple.
Kiriteshwar Temple Address: Kiriteshwari Road, Kiriteshwar, Dist, West Bengal 742104
History of Kiriteshwar Temple
A part of Sati’s crown was believed to fall here after her death.
The Eras of Gupta started in 400 B.C. At that time even Kiriteshwar Mandir was of utmost importance. Lord Shankaracharya first proposed the Kiriteshwar temple.
Kiriteshwar Temple Timings
| Every day | 06:00 AM – 03:00 PM and 05:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
9. Bakeshwar Temple
Bakreshwar temple is situated in Saithia, Birbhum. It is also known for its hot spring. Here Devi maa is worshipped as Mahismardini. There are very small 108 temples of lord shiva around the main temple.
There is a huge immortal banyan tree where worshippers tie red thread strands on the tree trunks for their wishes to come true.
Bakeshwar Temple Address: Temple & Hotspring Road, Bakreshwar, West Bengal 731123
History of Bakeshwar Temple
Apart from the thermal power station Bakeshwar is famous for its Kali temple, one of the known Sati Piths.
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The forehead and eyebrows fell at this spot. Lord Shiva is worshipped along with devi maa. The name BaKreshwar derives from the name “Astabakramuni” who was cured due to Shiva’s blessings.
Bakeshwar Temple Timings
| Every day | 05:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
10. Nalhateshwari Temple
Nalhateshwari Temple is one of the most significant kali temples among 51 Sati Peeth, in Birbhum.
More interestingly, a precious stone marked (Sheela) is marked with Lord Vishnu’s foot impression is worshipped here.
It’s the only temple where Lord Vishnu, Vairav Shiva, and devi maa are together worshipped. Yajnas are performed on new moon nights and puja days.
Nalhateshwari Temple Address: Parbati Tola Rd, Nalhati, West Bengal 731243
History of Nalhateshwari Temple
The throat of Maa Sati was believed to fall in the Nalhati area. The temple is attached to a small hill. The throat was first discovered by Kamdev around 1400 years ago.
Huge land areas were donated by landlord Uday Shankar.
It is believed that when water is poured over the deity, the water dries up eventually.
Nalhateshwari Temple Timings
| Every day | 05:00 AM – 08:30 PM |
So which temples have you visited?
Write down in the comments.
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