Overview of the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata
The Kalighat Temple is in Kolkata, West Bengal. It is one of India’s 51 Shakti Sthals and one of the most visited Kali temples. Sati’s right foot’s toes landed there during Shiva’s Tandava dance. Kalighat is said to have been where Chowranga Giri, a Dasanami monk, worshipped Ma Kali with great austerity, and has thus been known for centuries as a religious centre for Ma Kali worship. This 200-year-old temple embodies the principle that only divine knowledge, akin to an Asura, can subsume sodomised ego. As Ma Kali guides all through their devoted worship of her, this transcendence will lead to moksha.
Idols in Temples and Architecture
The temple complex contains a 3ft high altar known as Shoshti Tala or Monosha Tala. There are three stones here that represent the goddesses Shashthi (Shoshti), Shitala, and Mangal Chandi. In 1835, Zamindar Kasinath Roy built Natmandir, a large rectangular platform near the temple. Between the Natmandir and the sanctum sanctorum is a verandah known as Jor Bangla. Hari-Kath is home to two sacrificial altars for animal sacrifices.
Shyama-Raya Temple is another Radha-Krishna Temple in this area. Radha-vegetarian Krishna’s bhog is prepared in a separate kitchen. There is also a sacred tank here known as Kundupurkar or Kalighat Temple Tank, where the ‘Sati-Anga’ (Sati’s right toe) was discovered. Bathing in these sacred waters is said to bestow the gift of pregnancy.
Quick Facts and Advice
All female priests, as the temple honours Kali‘s femininity.
Unlike most temples, no daily worship or food offerings are made (Bhog).
