🛕 Historical Temple 📍 Kolkata, West Bengal

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Kalighat Temple

🕉 प्रमुख देवता: Kali 📜 Tradition: Sanatana Dharma

About The Temple

Introduction & Sanctity

Kalighat Temple

Location: Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Deity: Goddess Kali
History: The temple is believed to have been built in the 7th century CE.
Architecture: The temple is built in the Bengali architectural style.
Significance: The temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. It is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus from all over the world.
Festivals: The temple celebrates several festivals throughout the year, including Durga Puja, Kali Puja, and Saraswati Puja.
Visitor Information: The temple is open to the public from 6am to 10pm every day. Admission is free.

Kalighat Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. It is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus from all over the world. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, who is one of the most powerful and revered deities in the Hindu pantheon.

The temple is located in Kalighat, a neighborhood in Kolkata, West Bengal. The temple is believed to have been built in the 7th century CE, although there is no definitive evidence to support this claim. The temple is built in the Bengali architectural style, which is characterized by its simple and elegant design.

The temple is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus from all over the world. The temple is especially busy during the festivals of Durga Puja and Kali Puja. During these festivals, the temple is decorated with flowers and offerings, and devotees come to the temple to pray for blessings and protection.

The temple is also a popular tourist destination. Visitors come to the temple to learn about Hindu culture and to see the beautiful architecture of the temple. The temple is a must-see for anyone visiting Kolkata.

Temple Story

📜 Sthala Purana & Sacred Lore

Kalighat Temple, Kolkata, West Bengal

History

The Kalighat Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples dedicated to the goddess Kali. It is located in Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The temple is believed to have been built in the 16th century by King Krishna Singh of the Malla dynasty.

Legend

According to legend, the temple was built at the site where the goddess Kali killed the demon Raktabija. The demon had the power to multiply every time a drop of his blood fell on the ground. Kali beheaded the demon and drank his blood, but she continued to bleed from her mouth. To stop the bleeding, Shiva placed his foot on her throat. This is why the goddess Kali is often depicted with her tongue lolling out and her foot on Shiva's chest.

Architecture

The Kalighat Temple is a simple, single-story structure made of brick and terracotta. The main shrine is dedicated to the goddess Kali, and it is located in the center of the temple. The shrine is surrounded by a courtyard, which is open to the public.

Worship

The Kalighat Temple is a popular place of worship for Hindus from all over India. The temple is open 24 hours a day, and devotees can come to worship at any time. The main ritual at the temple is the arati, which is a fire ceremony performed in front of the goddess Kali's image.

Significance

The Kalighat Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples dedicated to the goddess Kali. The temple is a popular place of pilgrimage for Hindus from all over India. The temple is also a significant tourist attraction, and it is visited by thousands of tourists each year.

In Hinduism Scripture

The Kalighat Temple is mentioned in several Hindu scriptures, including the Puranas and the Tantras. The temple is also mentioned in the Bengali literature of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Kalighat Temple is a sacred place for Hindus, and it is a popular tourist destination. The temple is a reminder of the rich history and culture of India.

Architecture

🏗️ Architectural Marvel & Design

Kalighat Temple Architecture

Location: Kalighat Temple is located in Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
History: The temple was built in the 16th century by King Krishna Singh.
Architecture: The temple is built in the Bengali style of architecture. It has a pyramidal roof and a shikhara (spire). The temple is decorated with terracotta tiles and sculptures.
Deities: The main deity of the temple is Kali, a Hindu goddess of power and destruction. Other deities worshipped at the temple include Shiva, Ganesha, and Durga.
Festivals: The temple is the site of several festivals, including the Kali Puja festival, which is celebrated in October or November.
Significance: The Kalighat Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. It is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus from all over the world.

Key Features of the Architecture

The Kalighat Temple is a unique example of Bengali temple architecture. The following are some of the key features of the temple's architecture:

Pyramidal Roof: The temple has a pyramidal roof that is made of terracotta tiles. The roof is decorated with sculptures of various Hindu deities.
Shikhara: The temple has a shikhara (spire) that is made of brick and stone. The shikhara is decorated with terracotta tiles and sculptures.
Terracotta Tiles: The temple is decorated with terracotta tiles that depict various Hindu deities and scenes from Hindu mythology.
Sculptures: The temple is also decorated with sculptures of various Hindu deities and scenes from Hindu mythology.

Significance of the Temple

The Kalighat Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. It is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus from all over the world. The temple is also a significant cultural and historical site.

Visiting Guide

🧭 Pilgrim Visiting Guide & Darshan Info

How to Visit Kalighat Temple, Kolkata, West Bengal

Kalighat Temple is one of the most popular Hindu temples in Kolkata, West Bengal. It is dedicated to the goddess Kali, and is said to be one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. The temple is located on the banks of the Hooghly River, and is a popular tourist destination.

Getting There

The Kalighat Temple is located in the Kalighat area of Kolkata. The nearest metro station is Kalighat Metro Station. You can also take a bus or taxi to the temple.

Timings

The temple is open from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Entry Fee

There is no entry fee for the temple.

What to See and Do

The main attraction of the Kalighat Temple is the idol of the goddess Kali. The idol is made of black stone, and is about 5 feet tall. The goddess is depicted standing on the body of a demon, and holding a sword and a severed head in her hands.

The temple also has a number of other shrines dedicated to other Hindu deities. There is also a pond in the temple complex, where devotees can take a holy bath.

Tips

Wear modest clothing when visiting the temple.
Remove your shoes before entering the temple.
Be respectful of the other worshippers.
Do not take photographs inside the temple.

Nearby Attractions

There are a number of other attractions near the Kalighat Temple, including:

The Victoria Memorial
The Indian Museum
The Birla Planetarium
The Howrah Bridge

Additional Information

The Kalighat Temple is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus.
The temple is also a popular tourist destination.
The temple is located in a busy area of Kolkata, so it can be crowded at times.

Scriptural References

📖 Mention in Sacred Hindu Scriptures

Kalighat Temple

Location: Kalighat Temple is located in Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
History: The temple is believed to have been built in the 16th century by King Krishna Singh.
Deity: The main deity of the temple is Kali, a Hindu goddess of time, change, and power.
Significance: Kalighat Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. It is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus from all over the world.
Architecture: The temple is built in the Bengali architectural style. It has a pyramidal roof and a large courtyard.
Festivals: The most important festival at Kalighat Temple is Durga Puja, which is celebrated in the autumn.
Other deities: In addition to Kali, the temple also houses shrines to other Hindu deities, including Shiva, Ganesha, and Lakshmi.

What is mentioned in Hinduism scripture about Kalighat Temple?

The Kalighat Temple is mentioned in several Hindu scriptures, including the Puranas and the Tantras. The temple is said to be the place where the goddess Kali appeared to the sage Bhaskaracharya. Bhaskaracharya was a great scholar and astronomer who lived in the 12th century. He is said to have written a commentary on the Kalika Purana, a Hindu text that describes the goddess Kali.

The Kalighat Temple is also mentioned in the Tantras, a collection of Hindu texts that deal with yoga, meditation, and ritual. The Tantras describe Kali as a powerful goddess who can grant both worldly and spiritual benefits to her devotees.

The Kalighat Temple is a sacred place for Hindus all over the world. It is a place where people can come to worship the goddess Kali and seek her blessings.

Verification Status: ℹ️ Seed Dataset — Needs Independent Verification · Last Updated: 2026-10-08 · Seed Dataset Source: rishabhmodi03/hindu-temples (GitHub / MIT License)

Darshan timings and ritual schedules are subject to change during special festival days. Devotees are advised to confirm with temple authorities before planning visits.

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