Kali Temple, Kalighat : from its river side, 1809

কালী মন্দির, কালীঘাট, ১৯৪৪
a view of the Temple of Goddess Kali from its riverside photographed in 1944

Kalighat Kali Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. Kalighat was a Ghat (landing stage) sacred to Kali on the old course of the Hooghly river (Bhāgirathi) in the city of Calcutta. The name Calcutta is said to have been derived from the word Kalighat. The river over a period of time has moved away from the temple. The temple is now on the banks of a small canal called Adi Ganga which connects to the Hoogly. The Adi Ganga was the original course of the river Hoogly (the Ganges). Hence the name Adi (original) Ganges.
Kalighat is also associated with the worship offered to Kali by a Dasanami Monk by name Chowranga Giri, and the Chowringee area of Calcutta is said to have been named after him.
The original temple was a small hut. A small temple was constructed by King Manasingha in the early 16th century. The present temple was erected under the patronage of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family of Barisha. It was completed in 1809. The Haldar family claims to be the original owners of the temple property.
The temple is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, and visited by pilgrims from all over India irrespective of sectarian differences. more ..