বাংলায় পড়ুন
Our country is known for its cultural diversity and its heritage, and the temples are a big part of our culture. The temples have a beautiful architecture that attracts tourists from across the globe. Their beauty is always talked about along with another thing that is ‘Prasad’. Some temples have same offerings whereas there are some temples that have unique offerings like the Brahma Baba Temple in Uttar Pradesh where devotees offer clocks and watches; the Chemmoth Sree Subramaniya Swami Temple in Kerala; the offerings there are Munch chocolates and the deity is called Munch Murugan. One such unusual Temple is also present in the city of joy, Kolkata.
Kolkata’s Tangra area, which is also known as Chinatown is the place where you will find a Chinese Kali Temple. That is not the unusual thing about the temple; the thing that makes it different from other temples is its offering or ‘prasad’. Bengalis know very well that fish, meat and liquor is offered to goddess Kali but have you heard of chop suey, and noodles as prasad or bhog?
The Chinese Temple site is over 60 years old. They have stayed true to their roots and brought cultural diversity in the traditional offering. In addition to the authentic offering, the Chinese community also burn handmade paper to ward off evil spirits. During Kali Puja, they light candles and special Chinese incense sticks.
Before the existence of the temple, there were few black stones smeared with vermillion under a tree. Once a kid from that area got severely ill and the doctors were unable to cure him. His parents laid him below the tree for several days as their last hope. Miraculously the boy was cured and that place became special for them from then on. The Temple was built just 12-years-ago. They have still kept the original stones along with two new goddess Kali’s statues. 55-year-old Iso Chen is the in-charge of the temple. The Chinese residents take their shoes off while entering the temple to offer their prayers.
The Chinese Temple stands as proof of cultural and religious assimilation in the heart of the city that already has a rich ethnicity. These are a few of the things that shows that faith is more important than religion. And if you too believe that then do stop by this temple; even if you don’t; then also do give this place a visit; we are sure it will change your opinion.
