Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata
Kolkata, West Bengal
The Kalighat Kali Temple, in south Kolkata, is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, and the best-known Kali temple in the city. By tradition, the toes of the right foot of Sati fell here, and the city of Kolkata is said to take its name from Kalighat. The Goddess is worshipped as Dakshina Kali, with a face of black stone, and a very large crowd of devotees comes every day. The temple has a Bengali-style tower, a courtyard and a bustling approach lined with shops selling flowers and offerings.
What to see and do
- Have darshan of Goddess Kali, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas
- See the Bengali-style temple tower and the courtyard
- Walk the busy lane of flower and prasad shops outside the temple
- Visit in the evening, when the temple is lit and full of worshippers
Ideal for
- Devotees of the Goddess and of the Shakti Peethas
- Visitors who want a lively, traditional Bengali temple
- Families visiting Kolkata for its famous temples
Good to know
- One source gives about 5 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 10:30 pm, so check locally
- Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and remove footwear at the entrance
- The temple is very crowded, especially on Tuesdays, Saturdays and festival days, so keep belongings safe
- Agree on any priest's fee before you start, or politely decline, and use only the official queues
- Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours
Spiritual significance
Kalighat is the great Kali temple of Kolkata, tied to the city's name and to the Shakti Peetha tradition. It is a place of everyday devotion in the heart of the city.
Why it matters
- A Shakti Peetham: one of the 51, where Sati's toes are said to have fallen
- The Kali of Kolkata: the city is said to be named after Kalighat
- A temple of daily crowds: a living centre of Bengali worship