Kālīghāṭ

Goddess Kālī · Kolkata, West Bengal

Kālīghāṭ in south Kolkata stands beside the Ādi Gaṅgā, an old channel of the Hooghly. The image of Kālī is striking: a black stone face with three large eyes and a long golden tongue. Many believe the city’s name is linked to Kālīghāṭ.

The temple is busy throughout the year, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at Kālī Pūjā on the new-moon night of Dīpāvalī, and during Durgā Pūjā and Bengali New Year. The area is crowded, so go early and keep belongings close. October to March is the most comfortable season.

Pīṭha tradition says the toes of Satī’s right foot fell here. A popular story tells of a devotee who saw a ray of light in the river, found a stone shaped like a toe, and began worshipping the Goddess on the spot. The Bhairava here is Nakuleśvara.

West Bengal · Kālī · Kālī Pūjā · Durgā Pūjā

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