Dakshineswar Kali Temple History
Kali Dakshineswar Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the banks of the Hooghly River, near the Kolkata end of Vivekananda Setu, in Barrackpore, in North Kolkata. The main Goddess of this temple is Bhavatarini, who is the Hindu Goddess Kali Mata. It is one of the most famous temples in Calcutta, and in many ways, the most famous Kali temple, after the Kalighat temple. It was built in the year 1857 by Rani Rasmani of Jan Bazar.
This temple has been the workplace of Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the eminent philosopher and religious teacher, a philosopher, a religious teacher, and one of the Hindu or Hindu Renaissance principal architects, the guru of Swami Vivekananda, the founder of the Ramakrishna Mission. Between 1858-4, Swami Ramakrishna was the head priest of this temple. After that, he made this temple his own place of worship. In many ways, the main reason for the reputation and fame of this temple is its association with Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s chamber in the northwest corner of the temple’s main courtyard is still preserved as his historical memory, in which devotees and other visitors can enter.
Construction
The construction of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple started in 1847. Rani Rasmani, the zamindar of Jan Bazar, had a dream, according to which Maa Kali instructed him that the temple should be constructed. The idol of the mother was reverently installed in this magnificent temple. The construction of the temple was completed in the year 1855. This temple is situated in an area of 25 acres.
Architecture
Dakshineswar Temple is built for Goddess Maa Kali only. Dakshineswar is the main temple of Maa Kali. In the inner part is a lotus flower made of silver, which has a thousand petals, but the mother is standing on Lord Shiva with black arms. The temple of Kali Maa is built like Navratna, and it is 46 feet wide and 100 feet high.
The adjective attraction is that near this temple flows the sacred Ganges River, known as the Hooghly River in Bengal. There are 12 domes in this temple. This temple is situated on a lush, green field. Twelve temples of Lord Shiva have been established around this huge temple.
Renowned thinker Ramakrishna Paramahamsa had received the spiritual vision of the Goddess in the temple of Maa Kali, and he had preached for religion and unity by sitting at this place. Ramakrishna was the priest of this temple and lived in the temple itself. The doors of his chamber were always open to visitors.
The temple of Maa Kali is situated on the platform in the form of a huge building. One can enter it through steps. Located on the south side, this temple is three-storeyed. The nine domes are evenly spread over the two floors above. Beautiful shapes are made on the roof of the domes. Dakshina Maa Kali is standing on Lord Shiva at the inner side of the temple. Devotees sit and worship around the same holy place where the idol of the Goddess is placed.
Know Some Unheard Interesting Things About Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Learn The Story Behind The Temple’s Construction
The first meeting of Swami Vivekananda and his Guru Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and then all the details till the darshan of the Lord are connected with the Dakshineswar Kali Temple itself. Swami Vivekananda, who gave a new message to the world, started his journey to spirituality. Guru Ramakrishna Paramahamsa of Swami Vivekananda was worshipped in this temple. The history of this temple is very old, and today we are going to tell you the things related to its establishment.
Let us tell you that this temple was built in 1847 during British rule. The story related to the establishment of the temple is very exciting. Actually, this temple was built by a queen whose name was Rani Ramani. Though Rasmani was from a poor family, she was married to Raja Rajchandra of Janbazar, Kolkata. Rahmani was of religious instinct from childhood, and he used to have a lot of mind in his worship.
When the king died, the queen planned a pilgrimage and thought of going to Benares. In those days, there was no rail line between Banaras and Kolkata. Banaras used to go by boat from Kolkata. Rani Rasmani also took the path of going through the Ganges river, and then her convoy agreed to go to Benares. But just one night before leaving for the journey, a strange incident took place with Rani Rahmani. It is said that Maa Kali came into his dream and told him not to go anywhere and build the same temple.
After this, the queen decided to build the temple of Maa Kali (such temples where the mother does not quench) on the banks of the Ganga and cancelled the program to go to Benares and started searching for a place for the temple. It is said that when the queen came looking for the place on the Ganges Ghat, a voice came from her heart that a temple should be built at this place. Then this place was bought, and the work of building the temple was done fast. The construction work of the temple started in 1847, and its work was completed in 1855 after a full eight years. This can be gauged by looking at the magnificence of this temple.
