DESCRIPTION
Lying on the coast of the Adi Ganga canal, which was once known to be the course of the Hooghly River, is the famous Kalighat Temple of Kolkatta city. It is one. of the ancient heritage sites, well known for worship and visited by thousands of devotees in the city. This historical temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas of Maa Sati. It is said Ma Sati's right toe had fallen here when her dead body was cut into 51 parts by Lord Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra. This was the only way to pacify the outraged Lord Shiva. who had lost Ma Sati into her Father's Yagna. The places where her body parts had fallen, sacred shrines were constructed dedicated to different forms of Shakti. Here Maa Sat is known as Kalika, while her consort Lord Shiva is Bhairava is Nakulesh.
The present Kali temple dates back to only 200 years, though Puranas mention the existence of temple eve in the 15th/ 16th century. It was constructed under the patronage of a zamindar, in 1809. The presiding idol of MaKali is unique with three huge eyes, a long protruding tongue, and four hands all made of gold. Two of these hands hold the slain head of the demon Shumbha. The temple architect is traditional Bengali style with a single large dome at the top. There are different sections on the premises for different activities. Natmondir and Jor Bangla altar, are attached to the Garbha Griha for a better view of all rituals in the sanctum. Hharkath tala is the sacrificial altar. A small shrine dedicated to Radha-Krishna is on the western part of the complex. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Nakhuleshwar Mahadev Temple is opposite the main Kalighat Temple.
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