Kalighat was a Ghat sacred to Kali on the old course of the Hooghly river in the city of Calcutta. The name Calcutta is said to have been derived from the word Kalighat. The river over a period of time has moved away from the temple. The temple is now on the banks of a small canal called Adi Ganga which connects to the Hoogly. The Adi Ganga was the original course of the river Hoogly (the Ganges). Hence the name Adi Ganges. Kalighat is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of India, where the various parts of Satis body are said to have fallen, in the course of Shivas Rudra Tandava. Kalighat represents the site where the toes of the right foot of Dakshayani or Sati fell. Legend has it that a devotee discovered a luminant ray of light coming from the girathi river bed, and upon investigating its source came upon a piece of stone carved in the form of a human toe. He also found a Sambhu Lingam of Nakuleshwar Bhairav nearby, and started worshipping Kaali in the midst of a thick jungle.
How to Reach
By Air: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport at Kolkata is the nearest airport to Kalighat. Kalighat is easily accessible from this airport by road.
By Train: Nearest railheads are Howrah and Sealdah. The nearest metro stations are Jatin Das Park and Kalighat. One can easily reach the Temple from these stations via bus or cab.
By Road: Kalighat is located in south Kolkata. Buses are available from all parts of Kolkata for Kalighat. All buses going to south Kolkata have to pass through Shyam Prasad Mukherjee road. The temple is off this road. One can get down in Kalighat (Kalighat Tram Depot) bus stop and walk down the Kali Temple road to the temple. The temple can be reached easily via cab also.
Accommodation
- Kalighat Pilgrimage Facilitation Centre 35A, Kalighat Temple Road, Kolkata – 700026
Contact No.: 9874026908
Email: kalighattouristlodgelodge@gmail.com