Kalighat Temple, Kolkata

Kalighat Temple (कालीघाट मंदिर) is a Shakti Peetha in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Overview

The Kalighat Temple on the banks of the Adi Ganga in south Kolkata enshrines the goddess Kali and is one of the most important Shakti Peethas in eastern India. It is the origin of the name “Kolkata” (Calcutta).

History and Legend

According to tradition, the right toes of Sati fell at this site. The temple’s origins are ancient, with references in the Mansar Bhasan and other texts, though the current structure dates to the early 19th century. The temple is the epicentre of Bengal’s Shakta traditions and Tantric worship.

Architecture and Features

The temple is a relatively modest structure with a Bengali-style curved roof. The sanctum houses a silver-image of Kali with three eyes and a long golden tongue. The temple complex includes a large courtyard and several smaller shrines. The market around the temple is one of Kolkata’s busiest.

Modern Status

The temple is one of Kolkata’s most visited religious sites and is managed by the Kalighat Temple Committee. It attracts thousands of devotees daily and is especially crowded during Kali Puja and Diwali.

Verification Notes

• One of the 51 Shakti Peethas; name origin of Kolkata per widely accepted tradition.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).