Temples of India: Kalighat Temple History

 

The goddess Kali resides in the Kalighat Kali Temple, which got its name from being located on the Adi Ganga's bank. It is certainly the most well-known temple in Kolkata.

Story of the Kalighat Kali Temple

It is believed that the site of the temple must have been a place of worship since time immemorial. It is said that the temple was founded by a pious saint named Chouranga Giri, who is said to have discovered an impression of Kali’s face and built the original Kali temple in a small hut. The first written reference is likely found in 15th-century Mansar Bhasan and in Kavi Chandi.

There are other 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 that 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.

History of the Kalighat Temple

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.

Around 1570 Padmabati Devi, the mother of Laksmikanta Roy Choudhury of the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family, claimed to have a divine vision and discovered the right toe of Sati in a lake called Kalikunda in Kalighat. This gave Kalighat the status of one of the 51 Shakti Peeths.

When the British were consolidating their power in India, the area was part of the Dihi Panchannagram the East India Company purchased from Mir Jafar in 1758, after defeating Siraj-ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey.

These villages then were part of the suburbs of Calcutta and were set amid forested land. Slowly the forests were cleared, and the suburbs were created which got assimilated into the growing city.

The deity of Kali in the Kalighat temple is unique because it has not been designed following the common pattern of other Kali images. The existing idol of touchstone was crafted by two saints – Atmaram Giri and Brahmananda Giri. The deity features three huge eyes, four gold hands, and most importantly a long gold tongue. It is said to be based on the idol of Mata Bhuvaneshwari, the Kuladevi of the Sabarna Roy Choudhury family.

In the past, the place was known as Kali Kshetra. Many people relate the origin of the name of the city to that of the temple. However, the opinions of experts vary as there is no documented proof of the genesis of the name.

It is believed that the name of the village may have been derived from the Kali Kshetra or was derived from the local Bengali term for the creek that formed the southern boundary of the village. Creek is known as ‘Khal’ and digging is called ‘Kata’. The joining of the two is believed to have resulted in the nomenclature.

Mythological importance of Kalighat Temple

Kalighat Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths in Hinduism. 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.

Importance of Kalighat TempleKalighat 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 the Hindu month, Ashwin. Kali puja is celebrated with great gusto and enthusiasm.

Snan Yatra of this temple is also very famous. The priests keep their eyes blindfolded and bathe the idols. 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 have 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.