If you are in Kolkata and don’t take blessings of goddess Kali, it is not at all possible. Kolkata has not one or two but numerous holy shrines of goddess Kali. Let me take you to the one of the biggest and finest historical temple of goddess Kali. It is known as Dakshineshwar Kali Temple situated in Dakshineshwar in the north side of Kolkata beside the Vivekananda Bridge on the eastern bank of Hooghly River. This temple is about twenty kilometres from the famous BBD Baugh of Kolkata. The main deity in the temple is Bhavatarini Kali who is a form of goddess Kali. The word Bhavatarini literary means the power who releases the devotees from the ocean of existence. Bhava means world and tarini means helping in crossing. This magnificent temple was built by a devotee of goddess Kali Rani Rashmoni who was a humanitarian.There is a legend attached to the temple and it goes like this. Once Rani Rashmoni planned to go to the holy Hindu place Kashi-Banaras in order to offer her prayers to the mother goddess. Just one day before she planned to leave for her trip to Banaras she had this dream in which Goddess Kali appeared and told her that she didn’t need to go anywhere. Build a temple near river Ganga and install a statue of me there. I will manifest myself in the image and accept the prayers of my devotees. She was so influenced by the dream that she found a place in Dakshineshwar and bought a land of 20 acres there from Mr. John Hastie to build the temple of Goddess Kali. The construction started in the year 1847 and completed in 1855. The total cost of construction of the temple was Rs. 9 lacs out of which Rs. 2 lacs were spent on the day of inauguration of the temple.The main temple has nine spires and is sitting of heighted platform which can be reached by a flight of stairs. The main temple is surrounded by a vast courtyard and along the boundary wall there are several rooms for guests and some for office use. The main temple is spread in an area of 46 feet square with a height of over 100 feet. This three storied temple has nine spires distributed on the two upper storeys. This south facing temple is built in traditional Bengali Architecture with the concept of Nava Ratna or nine spires. The main Sanctum sanctorum has the image of goddess Kali standing on the chest of lying Lord Shiva. There is a long spacious dancing hall which is called Natmandir in front of the temple. You will also see here the rows of twelve temples of Shiva who is the companion of goddess Kali on both the sides of ghat of Hooghly River. All these temples are facing east and created in Aat Chala architecture of Bengal. There is a Vishnu temple is also in the premise in the north side. Rani Rashmoni’s shrine is also built here in the temple complex. After the last temple of the twelve of lord Shiva temple there is a chamber which used to be the residence of famous preacher Ramakrishna Paramhansa who dedicated his life to bring all the religions unite. He was the greatest spiritualist of nineteenth century. He worshipped in this temple and the room where he spent a good part of his life is open for public viewing.Opening timings of the templeFrom 5.30 am to 10.30 am and from 4.30 am to 7.30 pm every dayNearby attractionBelur Math is located just three kilometres from here and is the headquarters of Ramakrishna mission and Ramakrishna Math. It is an important place with several temples.
Sir,
In the nearby attractions, there should be mention of Maa Aadya Temple of Dakshineswar Ramkrishna Sangh Adyapeath. People can benefit from Darshan of Maa Kaali there as well. After this temple has also been built by a disciple of Great Swami Ramkrishna Paramhansji.
Thank you Ashok for your valuable suggestion