Profile
Settings
Refer your friends
Sign out
India is known as the land of temples. It is estimated that there are 20 lakhs of temples in India. Kalighat Temple is devoted to Hindu Goddess Kali and is one of India’s most famous Kali Mandirs. It is situated by the banks of Adi Ganga, which is a little channel that interfaces with the Hooghly river. Kalighat Mandir is famous among religious-minded people. Thousands of Kali devotees visit the temple every day and offer puja. It is a Shakti peeth. Kalighat temple is built on the site where Goddess Sati’s right foot’s toes fell.
History
There are numerous stories related to the Kalighat Mandir. One of the most popular stories is that of the Brahmin named Atma Ram who observed a human toe shaped structure in the Bhagirathi River. People believe that he was directed by a beam of light which seemed to be coming from the water. The brahmin implored the piece of stone. He was informed in his dream that the toe was of Goddess Sati. He was asked to set up a temple in his dreams. He was also told to look for Swambhu Lingam of Nakuleshwar Bhairav. The brahmin found the Sambhu Lingam, and began worshipping the Lingam and the toe-shaped structure.
The Kalighat temple’s reference has been found in the fifteenth-century synthesis of Mansar Bhasan and in Kavi Chandi, which was distributed during the seventeenth century. The Kalighat Kali Mandir is also mentioned in Lalmohan Bidyanidhis’ ‘Sambanda Nirnoy’. The current temple is 200 years old and was built in the nineteenth century. Raja Basanta Roy, King of Jessore, built the original temple.
Mythological importance
This place is religiously important for Hindu people. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Sati burnt herself alive in the conciliatory fire after fighting with her father over not being welcomed for a puja service at her father’s place. Lord Shiva was infuriated and put the body of Sati on his shoulder. He began performing the Tandava dance. The deities of heaven became unnerved and terrified. They asked Lord Vishnu to intercede. Lord Vishnu then cut the body of Sati into several pieces, and those pieces fell to earth. It is believed that Kalighat is the place where the toes of the right foot of Sati fell.
Goddess Kali is viewed as an exceptionally fearful goddess of the Hindu religion. She is referred to as a saviour and also as a destroyer. Goddess Kali is revered by thousands of people who come as far as possible from far off places in India and the world. Here, the idol of Goddess Kali is different from other idols of Goddess Kali. The idol includes three major eyes, four hands and a long projecting tongue. The idol is made from sandstone by Atmaram Giri and Brahmananda Giri. One hand of the Goddess holds the head of the devil lord Shumbha. The other hand holds a scimitar that signifies that the human ego should be killed by heavenly information and eliminated from our ways of behaving. That is how one can achieve moksha.
Importance of Kalighat Temple
Kalighat Temple is one of the most visited Kali Mandirs. Devotees of Goddess Kali from all over India come here during Kali puja during Diwali, on the moon day of Hindu month, Ashwin. Kali puja is celebrated with great gusto and enthusiasm. Durga Puja is also celebrated with great excitement and zeal. The streets remain crowded during Durga Puja, and the scenes during puja are great and worth watching. Snan Yatra of this temple is also very famous. The priests keep their eyes blindfolded and bathe the idols. The temple becomes crowded with people, making it difficult to manage the devotees. This temple is known for its beautiful and unique architecture. There are three stones representing the Goddess Shashti, Sitala and Mangal Chandi. Here, all the priests are females. A tank in the temple is believed to contain water from the Ganga, which is considered very sacred. This spot is known as Kaku-Kunda. Devotees believe that bathing in the tank has many benefits. It is believed that many childless couples bathe here to get a child. The bathing ghat is known as Jor-Bangla. The sacrifices are made in a place called Harkath Tala. There is also a place devoted to Radha Krishna, known as the Shamo-Ray temple.
Conclusion
Kalighat Mandir is one of the most sacred sites and a top tourist destination in Kolkata. It is believed that the name Calcutta is derived from Kalighat only. It is referred to as the holiest peeth of all 52 paths. It is located on the banks of Adi Ganga. This temple has a special place in the hearts of Hindu devotees, who flock to the temple in numbers to seek the blessings of the Goddess Kali. Kolkata is a city of festivals, and more devotees visit the temple during festivals.
