Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Dakshineswar, on the east bank of the Hooghly (Ganga), Kolkata, West Bengal

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About

Dakshineswar Kali temple stands on the east bank of the Hooghly, the Ganga at Kolkata. Its presiding Devi is Maa Bhavatarini, 'the Mother who carries her devotees across the ocean of worldly life', a form of Maa Kali. Her black stone murti stands upon Shiv ji, and both rest on a silver thousand-petalled lotus. The main temple is in the Bengal navaratna style, with nine spires. Along the river stand twelve Shiv temples, and there is also a Radha-Krishna temple, so the worship of Shakti, Shiv and Vishnu meets in one courtyard. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa served here as priest and lived here for many years, which makes the temple dear to devotees all over the world.

The story

In the 1840s Rani Rashmoni of Janbazar in Kolkata, a devout and generous woman, was preparing for a long pilgrimage by boat to Kashi. Her late husband had wished to build a temple, and she wanted to fulfil that wish. By the temple's account, on the night before the journey Maa Kali came to her in a dream and said there was no need to go to Kashi: build a beautiful temple on the bank of the Ganga and arrange my worship there, and I will be present in that murti and accept the worship. The Rani gave up the journey and bought land at Dakshineswar. The temple took about eight years to build, and the Devi was installed on the Snan Yatra day, 31 May 1855. The first head priest was Ramkumar Chattopadhyay, and his younger brother Gadadhar came to help him. After Ramkumar passed away the next year, Gadadhar became the priest; the world later came to know him as Sri Ramakrishna. His deep love for Maa Kali and his simple teachings drew many seekers, among them Narendranath Datta, who became Swami Vivekananda. Sri Ramakrishna's room and the Nahabat, where Sri Sarada Devi lived, can still be seen in the temple.

Visiting

October to February is the most pleasant season in Kolkata; Kali Puja brings very big crowds. Wear simple, modest clothes. Many visitors also cross the river to Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. The Kalighat temple, a Shakti Peeth, is also in the city.

Festivals

Dipanwita Kali Puja (Kartik Amavasya, the night of Diwali)
Phalaharini Kali Puja (Jyeshtha Amavasya)
Ratanti Kali Puja (Magh Krishna Chaturdashi)
Snan Yatra: the temple's founding day (Jyeshtha Purnima)

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Sources