Why You Should Visit Kolkata in India: The Land of Mother Kali
I left my heart in Bengal...a poetic thought on the astounding rhythm, color, and meter of such a special place. The Land of Kali Ma.
Navratri
Navratri or Durga Puja is an annual festival celebrated all over the world and especially in West Bengal, India. This is a 9-night celebration dedicated to the Divine Mother Durga. Festivities, puja (ceremonial worship), feasting, song, dance, and many other forms of worship reverberate through every home and street. At the time of writing this post, Navratri is approaching very soon, I have offered a humble attempt to show my appreciation for this land of Divine intrigue.
Love for West Bengal and Kolkata
My love and appreciation for Bengal is reflected in the core values of my blog and our spiritual store, The Deva Shop. This is a culture and heritage that is extremely rich in history and unending stories to marvel at. Located in the North-Eastern part of India at the Bay of Bengal, West Bengal India has its epicenter in Kolkata.
Famous for saints, poets of gigantic intellects and talents, this part of the world reigns in deeply rooted worship of God in Feminine form as the Divine Mother.
Kali rules over West Bengal, she is just as common to Bengalis as Jesus is to Christians in the West.
Divine Mother Worship with the Goddess Kali
Divine Mother worship is tremendously prevalent in Bengal. There are many, many Kali Temples and Devi Temples in Kolkata area in West Bengal. It is said that Kolkata got its name from the worship of Mother Kali.
Bengal’s love, deep appreciation, and deep roots of writers, poets, musicians, and artists is mind blowing. And many of them contribute to the devotional fervor for Ma Kali with soul enchanting songs and poems. It is an extremely musical city.
Divine incarnations of God have roamed and played in these lands including Chaitanya and Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. The Saints produced in this fertile land are too many to count.
2 Must See Temples in Kolkata
The Kali Temple at Dakshineswar
Dakshineswar is a temple located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, in Kolkata. The temple was built in 1855 by Rani Rashmani, a wealthy Bengali woman who had a vision of Kali. The temple complex consists of twelve temples, nine shrines, a large courtyard, and a main temple dedicated to Kali.
The main temple is situated on a raised platform with a flight of stairs leading up to it. Walking up these stairs to receive her darshan is a once in a lifetime experience and one that you will never, ever forget.
Inside the main sanctum, Her black murti is exquisitely carved of stone. Mother Kali is about four feet tall on a raised platform with many priests attending to her at all times. She is lavishly decorated and worshipped all day long, every day.
This is where Sri Ramakrishna lived for many years, permeating its entire quarters with a tangible pulse you cannot mistake. It is Sheer delight for your heart, and no words to describe it.
This is a must-visit place if you are traveling to India.
You can read my in-depth post on the Goddess Kali here.
The Temple at Kali Ghat
Kali Ghat is another temple dedicated to Kali that is located in Kolkata. This temple was built long before Dakshineswar. The main sanctum of this temple contains a black stone statue of Kali which is a Shakti Peeth. This statue has a formless form. She is also mind-blowing and something that you just don’t want to miss.
Pro Tip for both temples: Go as early in the morning as you can before the crowds come. India has many, many spiritual aspirants. Their devotion is second to none for going to temples and prostrating before the God/Goddess.
You will have more time and won’t have to wait in really long lines if you can go before 8am.
Outside the main sanctum, there are several smaller shrines containing statues of other Hindu gods and goddesses that are not to be missed. Millions of pilgrims flock to these temples each year to receive Mother’s grace.
Why Kali is so Special
Kali is one of the most popular Hindu goddesses and is the Divine Mother. of the Universe. She is the embodiment of Shakti, or divine feminine energy.
Kali is often depicted as being black or blue in color, and she is usually shown wearing a garland of skulls around her neck. This represents the freeing of her devotees from their egos. Despite her fearsome appearance, Kali is actually a loving and compassionate Goddess.
She is the Empress of the Universe.
She is known for her ability to destroy evil and protect her devotees from harm. That's why so many people flock to her temples in Kolkata—they know that she will protect them and help them overcome any difficulties they may be facing. Her loving grace for her devotees could never be measured in a thousand eons. She is looked upon as our Mother for those who worship her.
Bengali Giants
Bengali Giants from Kolkata that are world famous just to name a few are Tagore -the Nobel prize winning author and poet and the ever-dear Swami Vivekandanda.-the Hindu monk who brought “yoga” to the West. He lives and breathes in the hearts of men, women and children in Bengal. There are countless statues of Swami Vivekananda in West Bengal. He awakened a nation into not only spiritual practice but love for their Motherland.
The level of musicians and singers is staggering that is produced in Bengal. Such talent to come from the human body can only be explained by the deep vibes of devotion saturating the very air. Mixed with struggle and poverty this complex web of human survival works as an intricate machine that somehow survives the test of time and the pendulum swings that Maya inevitably brings.
The deep, deep beauty we witnessed on our trips there is astounding. Of course, there is deep poverty and painful living conditions to witness- but there is a sweetness that shines in every eye that you pass by. A deep, deep ancient devotion permeates the air and whether each and every one you meet is into religion or not matters the least.
I have many Bengali friends and though I can not do justice in describing this special place, I hope you will accept this as a humble offering and attempt to admire this indescribable beauty of the soul that lives in Bengal.
Jai Ma Kali, Kolkata’s Divine Mother and Saving Grace!
Looking for more resources? Visit my most read blogs and get tons of good info and tips
Meditation for Beginners -Aids to Help you with Your Practice
Numerology 101-How to Lead a More Divinely Guided Life with Numerology
Much Love! Much Light! I’m cheering you on!
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Peace Peace Peace
Heather Hathaway, M.Ed.
Pin It
