বাংলায় পড়ুন
In the heart of the ‘City of Joy’ lies a ‘Kali Temple’, which is popular among the tourists coming down to Kolkata. The Kali temple of Kalighat is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. The current form of the temple is only 200-years old, before that it was originally a small hut. The temple has a mention in 15th century’s ‘Mansar Bhasan’ and 17th century’s ‘Kavi Kankan Chandi’ Pilgrims from different places horde this place especially during auspicious occasions like Durga Puja, Kali Puja and on Bengali New Year.
It is said that Sati’s right toe of Dakshyani Sati fell here during Lord Shiva’s Rudra Tandav. Here, Goddess Kali is known as Dakshina Kali. Initially, it was a ‘ghat’ on the old course of river Hooghly which has now moved away from the temple and is reduced to a small canal connecting to river Hooghly. The canal is known as Adi Ganga.
Archer type coins from the Gupta Period have been found in Kalighat. The present-day temple has been completed under the patronage of Sabarna Roy Chowdhury in 1809. Another interesting fact about this holy place is that the deity here is incomplete. At first, the face was constructed and after that, gradually hands, tongue and the jewelry were added. The hands are made of gold and silver.
The state government have been doing their best to preserve the Kalighat Kali temple and maintain it properly. Kalighat is a major tourist spot of the city. it is of great importance among the pilgrims. It is situated in South Kolkata. You can get a direct bus or cab from the Howrah or Sealdah station. It has a metro station as well. It’s at ten minutes walking distance from the metro station.
