Kalighat Kali Temple

Kalighat Kali Temple, on Kalighat Road in South Kolkata, West Bengal, India, is one of the city's most important Hindu pilgrimage sites and is traditionally counted among the 51 Shakti Peethas, the sacred places associated with the body of the goddess Sati. The name Kolkata is often connected with Kalighat, and the shrine is central to the identity of the city. The present temple building dates from the early nineteenth century and is built in the Bengali at-chala style with a spired roof, a covered hall and a courtyard where devotees gather. The black stone image of Kali, with large eyes and a long gold tongue, is the focus of worship, and visitors join a queue for darshan in the inner hall, usually with offerings of hibiscus flowers and sweets bought from stalls outside. The atmosphere is energetic and crowded, with bells, chanting, drums and smoke from incense, and goat sacrifice takes place in a separate enclosure on certain days, which some visitors may find difficult. The area around the temple is a dense market of flower sellers, sweet shops and religious goods stalls, and the Adi Ganga canal runs close by. A visit takes one to two hours, longer when queues are heavy. Early morning on weekdays gives the shortest lines, whereas Tuesdays, Saturdays and festival days such as Kali Puja and Durga Puja bring very long queues. Priests and self-appointed guides often approach visitors at the gate offering assistance, and it is wise to agree charges clearly or decline politely. Shoes are left at designated counters, cameras and phones are typically not permitted inside, and modest dress is expected. The temple is a short distance from Kalighat Metro and from the Mother Teresa-related Nirmal Hriday home, which makes it easy to combine with other sites in South Kolkata.