Dakshina Kalighat Temple History

Who is Maa Dakshina Kali?

Maa Dakshina Kali is the main goddess of the Kalighat Kali Temple, represented in a sublime form (saumya roop) of Goddess Kali. Dakshina Kali translates to ‘merciful goddess’ and is seen as a generous mother in Bengali tradition. She protects all her devotees from accidents, mishaps, and misfortunes.

According to Kalighat Temple history, this temple marks where the four toes of Goddess Sati’s right foot fell. However, as per Kalika Purana and Devi Bhagvata Purana, the face of Goddess Sati (Mukha Khanda) fell here and turned into a stone tablet.

Significance of Dakshina Kali Shakti Peeth

One of 51 Shakti Peethas, the Kalighat Kali Temple Kolkata is where Maa Kali resides in a Shakti form. Let us understand the importance of the Maa Dakshina Kali Temple through cultural and astrological aspects:

• Cultural Significance of Dakshina Kali Temple In Hinduism

In Hinduism, Goddess Kali is seen in her fierce form, who can destroy evil and protect her devotees. But in Dakshina Kali Shakti Peeth, she resides with Nakuleshwar Bhairav in her sublime form. Even her idol stands apart from the typical Kali statues found in Kali temples across India.

The idol features three large eyes, a huge tongue covered in gold and four arms. The cultural significance of the Dakshina Kalighat Kali Temple becomes evident during major festivals such as Durga Puja, Pohela Boisakh, the Dondi Festival and Navratri. Devotees visit to seek blessings from Dakshina Kali and cherish peace, prosperity and longevity.

• Astrological Significance of Dakshina Kali Temple

This holy and sacred Shakti Peeth of Goddess Sati is connected to the Moola Nakshatra, governed by the mighty planet Ketu. In astrology, Ketu symbolises spiritual liberation and past life influences. So, when devotees come here to worship Goddess Kali in her Shakti form, they seek spiritual liberation and eliminate their past life’s influences.

Apart from that, Goddess Kali is a powerful goddess who governs the effects of the planet Saturn. As per the astrological beliefs, the one who sincerely worships here gets rid of Shani Dosha or the negative placement of Saturn in their birth charts.

Different Legends Behind Dakshin Kalighat Temple History

The first ever written evidence about the Kalighat Kolkata West Bengal’s history was found in the ‘Mansar Bhasan’ and ‘Kavi Kankan Chandi’ which dates back to the 15th century and 17th century respectively. As per the evidence, two ascetics named Atmaram and Chauranga Giri built the original Shakti Peeth in different periods.

• The Origin of Dakshina Kali Shakti Peeth

According to mythological beliefs, when Goddess Sati sacrificed herself, Lord Shiva carried her dead body across the universe in sorrow. To stop the world from being destroyed by Lord Shiva’s grief, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to cut Sati’s dead body into pieces. It is said the place where Sati’s right toe fell became a Shakti Peeth known as Kalighat.

• The Discovery by Atma Ram

Another popular legend about Dakshina Kalighat temple history claims that a Brahmin named Atma Ram discovered the presence of Goddess Kali. While meditating near the Bhagirathi river, Atmaram discovered a stone glowing from afar, like a human toe. Atmaram established a temple here, which later became known as the Kalighat Kali temple.

• The Legend of Chauranga Giri

Another tale of the Kalighat Temple is associated with Chauranga. The original Dakshina Kali Temple Kolkata was believed to be first discovered and built by a holy ascetic named Chauranga Giri. He was the one who noticed the imprints of the face of Dakshiyana, Goddess Sati and established the temple in a small hut.

The Architecture of Dakshina Kali Shakti Peeth

The Kolkata Kalighat Temple history follows the Bengal architectural style, specifically, the Aatha-Chala temple design inspired by rural mud and thatched roof huts. The roof sections of the temple are built in the ‘chala style’ in a sloping manner.

• Highlights of the Kalighat Kali Temple’s Architecture

Let us explore the architecture of Kalighat Kali Temple Kolkata, by looking at its main architectural features:

• Garbhagriha: The most sacred part of the temple, Garbhagriha (Nijo Mandir), is where the idol of Maa Dakshina Kali resides in the most unique form. Alongside Maa Dakshina Kali, a silver idol of Lord Shiva is also present inside the holy sanctum sanctorum.
• Natmandir: Right adjacent to the temple’s Nijo Mandir, there is Natmandir, which is built in a rectangular portico (verandah). Devotees gather here to pray to Goddess Dakshina Kali and can directly see the Garbha Griha from here.
• Harkath Tala: Also known as the ‘sacrificial altar, ’ the Harkath Tala is directly adjoined to the southern side of the Kolkata Kalighat Temple’s Natmondir. Here, animals such as buffalo, goat or sheep are sacrificed (bali) in the name of Maa Dakshina Kali.
• Kundupukar/ Kaku Kunda: Inside the sacred shrine lies a sacred pond named Kundupukar, believed to be as holy as Ganga. It is believed that the holy water of this pond will never go extinct and that devotees will be blessed with progeny.
• Shikhara: The uppermost roof (dome-shaped) has three shikharas, also known as spires, constructed during the colonial period. The tallest shikhara of the three has a golden flag covered in 50 kgs of gold.

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