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| Idol of Kali (Bhavatarini) in the sanctum |
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| Nahabat (Music Hall) where Sarada Devi lived |
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| Shrine of Rashmoni |
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| Ferry Ride from Belur to Dakshineswar |
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| View of Dakshineswar Temple |
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| View of Vivekananda Sethu (Bally Bridge) |
The
Dakshineswar Kali temple is one of the most visited places in Kolkata. At this holy
place Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa worshipped Kali Ma as a priest for nearly thirty
years and meditated on Kali to get Her Darshan. The beautiful three-storeyed
south-facing temple constructed in Navaratna style with nine spires distributed
in the upper two storeys is a majestic sight to see. The sand-colored construction
with many arches all along the corridor with twelve Shiva shrines further adds
splendor to this magnificent temple. We arrived at this place by ferry from
Belur jetty managed by West Bengal Surface transport. It takes only twenty
minutes to reach Dakshineshwar Bhabatarini Ghat. The panoramic view of the
Bally Bridge (Vivekananda Setu) and monumental buildings on the banks gives an
awesome view of this city’s glory. Every half an hour there is ferry service
from both sides from 7.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
This famous
temple was constructed by Rani Rashmoni. In 1847 she wished to go to Kashi
along with her relatives and servants in twenty-four boats. The day preceding
her travel, Kali Mata appeared to her in a dream and asked her to install Her
idol in a temple and get her Blessings. So Rashmoni purchased twenty acres of
land in Dakshineswaram village from an Englishman named John Hestie and
completed the temple construction in 1855. On the holy day of Jagannath Deva
Snana Yatra on May 31st, 1855 the idol of Jagadeeswari Kalimata
Thakurani was installed. Sri Ramkumar Chattopadhyaya served as the temple
priest till his demise in 1856. His brother Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa later
served as the priest till 1866. Rani Rahmoni Lived for five years and nine
months after starting the temple. She died on 18th February, 1861.
Her shrine has been later added near the entrance to the temple yard.
Perched on an elevated platform the main Kali
temple reveals the gracious form of Bhavatarini made of shining black basalt
stone decked with gold brocade standing on white marble statue of Shiva in
lying position. Both these idols are installed on a thousand-petalled
lotus-seat made of silver. A narrow covered verandah serves as the audience
chamber attached to the sanctum. A spacious Natamandir(dancing hall) is seen in
front of the temple. Twelve east-facing Shiva Mandirs (shrines) with holy Shiva
Lingas made of black stone with idols of Nandis facing them are seen on both
sides of corridor near the bank of the Hoogly River. At the head of the Hoogly
ghat there is a roofed terrace to view the river front. Just beyond the last
Shiva Mandir Sri Ramakrishna used to live with Sarada Devi in a music room
called Nahabath. He stayed here nearly for thirty years till his death in 1866.
On the
northeastern side of this temple complex one can see the Radhakanta shrine
where 21 ½ inch Krishna’s idol with 16 inch Radha’s idol are seen on a silver
throne. The Panchavati (five sacred trees) garden is located very close to the
temple. The old fig tree, the last remaining tree of Panchavati trees, is still
seen. Here Sri Ramakrishna used to meditate. The visiting hours are from 6.00
a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 3.00 to 8.30 p.m. every day. In summer (April to
September) the temple closes at 9.00 p.m. On Tuesdays and Fridays the temple is
very much crowded. The whole temple beams with festive atmosphere with
illumination, with ringing bells, blowing conchs and ululating piercing cries
of Bengali women with shouts of excitement and devotion. On every Amavasya day
the temple is beautifully decorated and evening aarti is performed. This temple
graced by Sri Ramakrishna’s holy presence makes one feel his deep devotion to
Kali Ma. Many newly married couples and family members come here to receive the
benedictions of the Universal Mother.
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4th January, 2018 Somaseshu Gutala
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