Introduction to 5 Most Famous Kali Mata Temples:
In the Hindu religion, the woman holds a special dignified, and well-respected place in society and history is replete with legends of the valor of Goddesses(Famous Kali Mata Temples). Since the time of the Hindu Vedic period, woman Sages like Maitreyi, Gargi, and others are known to be erudite scholars of their time.
In Hindu religion, the nine days of Navaratri festival is dedicated to 09 forms of Goddess Durga Mata viz. Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidhatri.
Kali Mata symbolizes women’s power endowed with valor, grit, determination, wisdom, alacrity, and acumen of mind. Various shrines of the Goddess Durga and her varied forms, such as Kalighat Kali Temple, Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple, Kali Bari Temple and Maa Kali Temple, Kangra are visited by devotees in large numbers.
Devotees and pilgrims worship the deities and seek blessings of different forms of Goddess to ensure the well-being of themselves, their families, and friends.
It is worthwhile to discuss the 5 most famous Kali Mata temples to enable pilgrims and devotees to schedule their spiritual journey to these shrines.
The 5 most famous Kali Mata temples are the following:-
Kalighat Kali Temple
Kalighat Kali Temple, believed to be one of the 51 Shakti Peeths is located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Needless to say, the Shakti Peeths are the shrines where the different body parts of Goddess Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva fell. The Shakti Peeths are believed to be the seats of the divine power of the Goddess.
Shakti Peeth legend
Legend has it that Goddess Sati, the daughter of King Daksha Prajapati married Lord Shiva, however, King Daksha did not approve the marriage.
Once, King Daksha Prajapati organized a Yagya and invited other Gods and Goddesses but did not invite Goddess Sati and her husband Lord Shiva. Upon Goddess Sati’s insistence to attend the Yagya, Lord Shiva got her escorted to her father’s Kingdom.
During the Yagya ceremony, King Daksha insulted his daughter Goddess Sati, and condemned her husband Lord Shiva. In order to protect her and her husband’s dignity, honor, and respect, Goddess Sati self-immolated herself in the sacrificial fire of the Yagya.
When Lord Shiva came to know about the tragedy, he lost his cool and got King Daksha beheaded. However, out of mercy, he restored his life. Enraged Lord Shiva, lifted the dead body of his wife and started doing Tandava nriitya causing damage and destruction.
Lord Vishnu, in order to distract Lord Shiva and separate him from the body of Goddess Sati, cut the body of Goddess Sati by his divine Sudarshana Chakra into pieces. The 51 shrines are the holy places where the body parts of Goddess Sati fell.
It is believed that at Kalighat Temple, Kolkata, the head of Goddess Sati fell. According to another school of thought, it is the right toe of the Goddess Sati that fell here.
The idol of Kali Mata at the Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata features three eyes, four arms, and a large tongue of Goddess Kali.
The current structure of Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata is believed to be 215 years old. It is located on the banks of Adi Ganga, which merges with the pious Hoogly River in Kolkata. Kali denotes the Goddess and Ghat refers to the banks of the Adi Ganga.
Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata is known for rituals involving goat sacrifices, pooja, and archanas.
Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata Opening and Closing Timings:
Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata (Morning Session): Opens from 05:00 am to 02:00 pm.
Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata (Evening Session): Opens at 05:00 pm to 10:30 pm. Special Pujas are performed on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata
Dakshineswar Kali Temple is located on the picturesque banks of the mighty and sacred Hoogly River. The temple was built by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist in 1855.
According to the story associated with the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, the queen Rani Rashmoni was to go on a pilgrimage to Kashi, the modern-day city of Varanasi when Goddess Kali appeared in her dream and instructed her to build a temple on the banks of Hoogly river.
The queen canceled his visit to Varanasi purchased the land and constructed the three-storeyed, nine-spired Dakshineswar Kali Temple at the picturesque locale of Kolkata.
The Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata has the Kali Temple in the center and 12 Shiva temples on one side in a row. It is believed that Goddess Kali is in the form of Bhavtarini who is known to bestow salvation to her devotees by liberating them from the cycle of birth and death.
The Dakshineswar Kali Temple is associated with Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
The Dakshineswar Kali Temple Opening and Closing Timings (During the month of October to March): Morning: 6:00 am to 12:30 pm.; Evening: 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Aarti is performed at 05:00 am and at 06:30 pm.
The Dakshineswar Kali Temple Opening and Closing Timings( during the month of April to September): Morning: 6:00 am to 12:30 pm.; Evening: 3:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Aarti is performed at 04:00 am and at 07:00 pm. Bhog or Prasad is offered at noon.
Kamakhya Temple, Assam
Kamakhya Temple, Assam, dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths. The Goddess Kamakhya represents fertility and procreation.
It is believed that the genitals of Goddess Sati fell here. Kamakhya Temple, Assam located on the Nilacnchal Hills in Guwahati, Assam is known for ritualistic Tantric practices. Goddess Kamakhya is worshipped here by devotees and pilgrims.
During the festival of Ambubachi, a fair is organized and Goddess Kamakhya is worshipped with devotion.
Kamakhya Temple, Assam dates back to the 8th century. The current temples are built in the typical Bengal style of architecture. The shikhara (spire) of the temple is a polygonal dome in the shape of a beehive.
The sanctum sanctorum of the Kamakhya Temple, Assam remains moist owing to the natural spring emanating from the Nilanchal hills.
Kamakhya Temple, Assam, Opening and Closing Timings:
Opening Time: The temple opens daily at 5:30 AM.
Closing Time: The temple closes at 10:00 PM.
Kamakhya Temple, Assam, Darshan Timings
Morning Darshan: 5:30 AM to 01:00 pm. (The temple remains closed from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm.
Evening Darshan: 2:30 pm to 08:00 pm.
Evening aarti is performed at 7:30 pm.
Chamunda Devi Temple, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Chamunda Devi Temple, also known as Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham is located in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Chamunda Devi temple, as the name suggests, is dedicated to Goddess Chamunda, a form of Goddess Durga. A large number of devotees visit the Chamunda Devi temple, Kangra to seek the blessings of Goddess Chamunda.
Chamunda Devi Temple dates back to the 16th century. The idol of the deity Chamunda was relocated at the present site from the Aadi Himani Chamunda shrine which is not so accessible.
The architectural style of Chamunda Devi Temple is traditional Himachali style. At the entrance of the Chamunda Devi Temple are the idols of Lord Hanuman and Lord Bhairav.
The shrine of Lord Nandikeshwar Mahadev representing Lord Shiva is also there in the premises of the Chamunda Devi Temple, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Chamunda Devi Temple, Kangra is an embodiment of the divine power of the Goddess who killed the two demons viz., Chanda and Munda.
Devotees completely immerse themselves in tranquility, peace, and spirituality at the altar of Chamunda Devi Temple, Kangra.
Chamunda Devi Temple, Kangra Timings: 05:00 am to 09:00 pm.
Chamunda Devi Temple, Kangra is accessible by air, train, and roadways. The nearest airport is Kangra Airport which is about 25 km from the temple. Pathankot Railway Station is approximately 115 km from the Chamunda Devi Temple, Kangra.
It is accessible by road via local buses or taxis from Dharamshala (15 km away) or Palampur.
Maa Kali Temple, Kangra
In the Hindu religion, the Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth; Goddess Durga, the Goddess of Power and energy; and Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge and wisdom are highly revered and worshipped.
At the Maa Kali Temple, Kangra, the Goddess Kali Mata represents the eternal embodiment of Shakti, the power, energy, and vitality, and is worshipped by pilgrims and devotees from across India and its neighboring countries.
Maa Kali Temple, Kangra is believed to be one of the 51 Shaktipeeths. The temple is dedicated to Maa Kali or Goddess Vajreshvari, and hence, also called Bajreshwari Devi Temple or Vajreshvari Devi Temple. Maa Kali Temple is situated in Kangra town, approximately 3 km from both Kangra Mandir railway station and Kangra Airport.
As per the mythological legend, the temple was built by the Pandavas. It is believed that the right breast of Goddess Sati fell here. The temple is worshipped by thousands of devotees who visit the temple.
The current structure of the Maa Kali Temple, Kangra features intricate stone carvings. The temple was completed in 1920 in the Shikhara style of architecture. The temple complex features a shrine dedicated to Lord Bhairava and devotee, Dhayanu Bhagat, who sacrificed his life at the altar.
At the Maa Kali Temple, Kangra, the festival of Navratri is celebrated with grandeur and fanfare. The devotees get themselves immersed in spirituality.
Besides, there are other significant temples dedicated to Goddess Durga and her other forms. A few important shrines are-
-Tarapith Temple, Birbhum: Tara is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Kali. Tarapith Temple, Birbhum is situated in the Birbhum District of the State of West Bengal in India.
Tarapith Temple, Birbhum is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths, the seats of the divine power of the Goddess. The temple features carvings and sculptures portraying religious legends.
Tarapith Temple, Birbhum, West Bengal is built with red bricks. The temple has a spire(Shikhar) and the idol of the presiding deity, the Goddess Tara is placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Birbhum town is situated on the banks of the river Dwarka.
Tantarik rituals are also performed at the Bamakhepa’s Ashram near the Tarapith Temple, Birbhum. The temple is also known for animal sacrifices and tantric practices.
Opening and Closing Timings of the Tarapith Temple, Birbhum, West Bengal: 5:30 AM to 09:00 pm. The temple remains closed from 12:00 pm to 03:00 pm.
Evening Darshan Timings: 03:00 pm to 09:00 pm. Morning Aarti takes place from 05:30 am to 06:00 am. And evening Aarti takes place from 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm. Entry to the Tarapith Temple, Birbhum is free.
-Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh: Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh is situated at Pavagadh hills ( 762 meters or 2500 ft.) above sea level in the district of the Panchmahal district of Gujarat, India. The temple is dedicated to Kalika Mata or Mahakali or Durga or Chandi Goddess. The Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh is stated to be one of the 51 Shaktipeeths.
The Pavagadh Hill is at a distance of about 50 km from Vadodara. The nearest Airport and Railway station to the Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh are Vadodara Airport and Vadodara Railway Station respectively.
The nearest bus stop is Halol which is at a distance of about 7 km from the Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh. The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the sanctum sanctorum of the Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh, the idols of Kalika Mata are in the center, Bhadrakali’s on the right, and Bahuchara Mata’s on the left.
The facilities of a trekking and cable car are also available to pilgrims. Devotees visit the Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh during the festival of Navratri.
Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh Timings: The Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh opens at 05:00 am and closes at 07:00 pm.
Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh Aarti Timings: Morning Aarti: 5:00 am; Evening Aarti: 6:30 pm.
Devotees come to worship Goddess Kalika Mata around the year, however, during the festival of Navratri in September-October months, a large number of devotees come to seek blessings of the Goddess Kalika.
-Kali Bari Temple: Kali Bari Temple is located in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Kali Bari Temple is dedicated to the Kali incarnation of Goddess Durga. At Kali Bari Temple, the deity is also called Shyamala.
Pilgrims visit the temple from across the country and get themselves immersed in spirituality and devotion. Kali Bari Temple was built in 1823 by Ram Charan Brahmachari, a Bengali Brahmin on Jakhoo Hill.
The Architectural design of the Kali Bari Temple is akin to that of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata.
Conclusion:
These 51 Shakti Peeths are believed to be holy seats of divine power and are situated in India and its neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tibet, and Sri Lanka.
The shrines of Goddesses are revered and worshipped as Shakti Peeths and devotees and pilgrims visit these shrines in large numbers around the year. Special Pujas are performed during Navaratri festivals.
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FAQs About 5 Most Famous Kali Mata Temples
Q.1. What are Shaktipeeths?
Ans.1. The Shaktipeeths are the shrines or the seats having the divine power of the Goddess Sati. It is believed that at the Shaktipeeths, the some or the other body part of Goddess Shakti fell.
Q.2. Where is Dakshineswar Kali Temple?
Ans.2 Dakshineswar Kali Temple is on the banks of the holy Hoogly river in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Q. 3. Where is Chamunda Devi Temple located?
Ans.3. Chamunda Devi Temple is located in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.
