Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Also known as: தட்சிணேஸ்வர் காளி கோயில் · దక్షిణేశ్వర్ కాళీ ఆలయం · दक्षिणेश्वर काली मंदिर
West Bengal Devi
The Kali temple on the Hooghly river at Kolkata, linked with Sri Ramakrishna. Built in the 1850s by Rani Rashmoni.
- Deity
- Bhavatarini (Kali)
- Tradition
- Devi
- Place
- Dakshineswar (Kolkata), North 24 Parganas
- State
- West Bengal
- Era
- Built between 1847 and 1855 under Rani Rashmoni.
Sthala Puranam
Rani Rashmoni was planning a pilgrimage to Kashi. She dreamed that Kali asked to be installed on the banks of the Ganga. So she built the temple at Dakshineswar.
The Kali image was installed on 31 May 1855, the Snana Yatra day. Ramakrishna's elder brother Ramkumar was the first head priest, and Ramakrishna became head priest after Ramkumar died in 1856.
Speciality
- Nine-spire (navaratna) Bengal style, three storeys, facing south. The sanctum has Kali standing on Shiva on a silver lotus.
- Twelve identical Shiva temples line the river front. A Radha–Krishna temple stands to the north-east.
- Ramakrishna's room is in the north-west corner of the courtyard.
Festivals
- Kali Puja
- Durga Puja
- Snana Yatra
- Kalpataru Day
How to reach
By airNetaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport, Kolkata, about 10–12 km.
By trainDakshineswar station on the Sealdah–Dankuni suburban line; Kolkata has several main stations.
By roadOn the Hooghly bank in north Kolkata. Buses, taxis and the metro-linked routes reach it.
Location is approximate.
Before you go
- Dress modestly. Leave footwear outside the temple.
- Timings, ticket rules and dress codes change. Check the temple's own notice or website before you travel.
- Book darshan, rooms and special poojas only at the official counter or website, not through agents.
- Sunday and festival days are crowded. Go early in the morning.
Prayers for this temple
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against the sources listed above. If you find a mistake, please tell us.