Dakshineswar Kali Temple Kolkata

Summary

On the opposite side of the river from Belur Math is the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, one of Bengal’s most popular pilgrimage spots. At the heart of this vibrant riverside complex is a cream-and-red Kali Temple shaped like an Indian Sacré-Coeur. The temple is crowded with colourfully clad devotees, particularly on Sundays when there are lengthy queues, and the temple is open to all faiths.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple Kolkata

 

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On the opposite side of the river from Belur Math is the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, one of Bengal’s most popular pilgrimage spots. At the heart of this vibrant riverside complex is a cream-and-red Kali Temple shaped like an Indian Sacré-Coeur. The temple, built in 1847 by a rich and pious widow, Rani Rashmoni, was initially opposed by orthodox religious interests as she was not a Brahmin (the highest Indian caste). No Brahmin was therefore willing to be the temple priest. Only Ramakrishna Paramhansa, then still a boy, agreed, and he spent many years there, preaching and developing his philosophy of the essential oneness of all faiths. His room in the temple complex is still preserved in its original state. Situated in the outer northwest corner of the temple precinct, it is now a place of special meditative reverence.

 

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The impressive white washed temple is set on a high plinth and topped by nine cupolas. The roof, with its line of rounded cornices, stands out impressively against the sky. Inside the sanctum is an image of Bhabatarini, an incarnation of the goddess Kali.

Within the large compound, strung along the river bank, are 12 smaller temples, each dedicated to the god Shiva; there are also temples to Radha and Krishna.

Crowds of pilgrims visit the Dakshineswar Kali Temple daily, lending the sprawling temple complex a cheerful, bustling atmosphere. The temple is crowded with colourfully clad devotees, particularly on Sundays when there are lengthy queues, and the temple is open to all faiths.

 

Getting to & from Dakshineswar Kali Temple

The most affordable and quickest way to get to Dakshineswar Kali Temple is to take one of the three suburban trains from Howrah train station to Dakshineswar train station. The journey takes about 30 minutes, and from the train station, it’s a short walk to the temple.

A metro extension is under construction to Dakshineswar train station, 400m south of the temple, which has roughly hourly suburban train services from Sealdah (20 minutes) and is the terminus of bus DN9/1 from Dum Dum metro.

If you’re going or coming from Belur Math, consider taking one of the uncovered boats which is not only quick (20 minutes) and affordable but also a lovely way to see the Hooghly river as you float downstream. Ferries do not ply when the tide is moving upstream, so you might have to wait till the tide turns which can take around half an hour or more.