A renowned place of pilgrimage for thousand devotees, Kalighat Kali temple in Kolkata is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. Once upon a time river Hooghly meandered by the holy shrine. However, with time, it is believed that the river drifted away from the Kalighat Kali temple. In the recent times the temple is situated at the banks of Adi Ganga.

Legends on Kalighat Temple
As per legend, a devotee came across an illuminant light ray emitting from the river bed of Bhagirathi. On examining closer he found out a human toe in the river bed. It was the body part of Sati. He also discovered a Svayambhu Lingam of Nakuleshwar Bhairav. In those times the area was surrounded by forests. The devotee, however, worshipped the Shiva linga amidst the woods. Later a temple was built on the same spot. The Kali Temple at Kalighat in Kolkata is about 200 years old, while there is mention of this temple in Mansar Bhasan penned in the 15th century, and also in Kavi Kankan Chandi dated 17th century. Two types of coins of the period of Chandragupta II, who integrated Vanga in the empire of the Guptas, are known from Bengal. The archer type coins of Chandragupta II, which got popular during the reign of the Guptas are Kumaragupta I, were discovered at Kalighat. This indicates the historical importance of the place.

History of Kalighat Temple
The original Kali temple at Kalighat was a very small hut. In the 16th century, King Manasingha constructed a small temple for the Goddess Maa Kali in Kalighat. The present form of the temple was constructed with the support of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family of Barisha. Its construction work was over in the year 1809. The temple property was claimed to be owned by the Haldar family which was challenged by the Chowdhurys of Barisha. A committee was made to monitor the administration of the temple in the 1960s which represents people from the Government and the Haldar family. It is the duty of the Haldar family to look after the worship of the Goddess.

Iconography at Kalighat Temple
The idol of Goddess Kali in the temple is quite different from the other idols in the state. The present idol of the Goddess Kali which is there in the temple has been given shape by two people: Atmaram Giri and Brahmananda Giri. At Kalighat temple, the goddess is portrayed with three huge eyes, a protruding tongue and four hands. Two of these hands hold severed human heads and a sword. The other two hands of the Goddess are in the varada and abhaya mudras. This signifies that the Goddess will bless those who pray to her with honesty and dedication and she will guide them in the right path forever. As per popular belief these severed heads represent the human ego which needs to be slain in order to achieve divine knowledge and finally, Moksha. The sword in the hand of the Goddess implies divine knowledge.

Architecture of Kalighat Temple
The Kalighat Kali temple possesses a big rectangular platform known as the Natmandir, which is built next to the main temple. It is this place from where one can also see the face of the Maa Kali. The Natmandir was actually constructed by Zamindar Kasinath Roy in the year 1835. Afterwards the same was renovated several times. Jor-bangla is a large and spacious varandah of the temple of Maa Kali facing the image. Several rituals which are carried on in the sanctum sanctorum are clearly visible while standing in the Natmandir through the Jor-bangla.

Sosthi Tala is an altar of rectangular shape, built by Gobinda Das Mondal in the year 1880, which is three feet in height. It holds a small cactus plant. Below the tree, there are three stones placed side by side on an altar which represent the Goddesses Mongol Chandi, Sasthi and Sitala. This spiritual place is known as Manasha Tala or Sasthi Tala. The Samadhi of Brahmananda Giri is in the place of the altar and the priests here are female. No bhog and daily worship is done here because the Goddesses present here are regarded as a part of Maa Kali.

Harkath Tala is also close to the Natmandir which is only meant for Bali or sacrifice. The two sacrificial altars known as Hari- Kath are there side by side for animal sacrifices. The bigger sacrificial altar is meant for buffalo sacrifices and one which is smaller in size is for sheep and goats sacrifice. Here the animals are sacrificed with a single stroke of the knife and it is less cruel in comparison to the professional abattoirs.

The Radha-Krishna temple is also referred to as the Shamo-ray temple and is located inside the temple complex. In the year 1723, a Murshidabad District settlement officer founded a separate temple for Radha-Krishna. A Zamindar by the name of Uday Narayan Mondal constructed the present temple in the same spot in the year 1843. In the year 1858, the Dolmancho was built by Madan Koley of Saha Nagar. A separate kitchen room is there for the preparation of vegetarian bhog for Radha-Krishna.

Kundupukur is the holy tank positioned outside the boundary wall and to the south-east of the main temple. Currently the tank is covering an area of 10 cottahs. Previously it was bigger in size and was called Kaku-Kunda. This tank is well-known for its spiritual power of bestowing the boon of a child. The tank`s water is treated as sacred as the water of the Ganges.

Visiting Information
The temple is located in South Kolkata. Buses and trams are easily available from all parts of Kolkata to Kalighat. Nearest Metro stations are Jatin Das Park (Northern Exit) and Kalighat (Southern Exit).