Wandering in the Vibrant City... Kolkata... Day 4 Part 1

Day 4  Part 1





Next day began with our visit to Dakshineshwar… 

Dakshineswar temple located at a distance of 20 kms from central Kolkata, is one of the most revered, sacred temples there, dedicated to Goddess Kali. The temple rests on the banks of River Hooghly. 






Founded by Rani Rashmoni in 1855, it is an architectural treasure. The roads leading to the temple are filled with shops with puja offerings..  






When we enter the temple, one is impressed by the structure and the maintenance. It has a baggage deposit area and other amenities. 

Rows of stalls where flower strings and other puja offerings are sold in both permanent stalls as well as in outdoor open stalls… 

Inside cell phones and cameras are prohibited… Just the feel of it itself was like a warm welcome… Enchanting… 




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Once we enter the main area it is a long queue. The hot sun overhead and the sun heated stones laid on the floor does not let you forget yourself amid the beautiful structure. It’s a temple where Godess Kali, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu  as Radha Kanth are worshipped. 

The main temple premise was built in the traditional  ‘Nava-ratna’ or nine spires style, a unique style attributed to the Bengal architecture. The roof of the temple spires have been grooved artistically.... It looks like strings of flowers strewn together and the serrated edges enhances the effect... Additing to it is the colour scheme used. it makes the building stand out.... The temple sports a colossal, elongated structure, resting on a high platform with a flight of stairs. It is a three-story, south-faced temple. 

The nine spires of the temple are distributed in upper two stories. A narrow covered verandah serves as an audience-chamber and it is attached to the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbha Griha), housing a magnificient idol of  the Goddess Dakshina Kali. People enter from the south, east and west to have the darshan. A spacious  Natmandir (Dancing hall) is placed in front of the temple. 




The idol of the deity of Goddess Kali, known as Bhavatarini is unique. Dakshineshwari stands on the chest of Lord Shiva, who rests in a lying posture. The two idols are cradled beautifully on a thousand-petal silver lotus. The decoration of Kali Ma is one to fill one's eyes with too... In this temple, incense sticks are lit outside in pots kept for that purpose before the flight of steps… This reminded me of the Buddhist rituals... 



This Kali Temple in Dakshineswar is very much associated with Sri Ramakrishna Pramahamsa, as he was the second priest of the temple. The responsibility of conducting the temple rituals  was given to him by the Rani herself after the demise of his brother to whom he was assisting. He along with his wife Sharada Devi, stayed in the south side of the Nahabat (music room), in a small room on the ground floor, which is now a shrine dedicated to her at the temple premise. It can be accessed by all devotees, who visit the temple. The famous disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Parmahamsa was the renowned Swami Vivekananda.





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 The credit to the pictures inside the temple are given to the original uploader...