Kalighat Kali Temple
কালীঘাট কালী মন্দির
One of India's 51 Shakti Peetha pilgrimage sites and the origin of the city name Kolkata, with the current temple built in 1809.
According to legend, the right toe of Sati, wife of Shiva, fell here, making it one of the 51 Shakti Peetha sacred sites of Hinduism. The city name Kolkata derives from “Kalighat.” The present temple was completed in 1809 and has a Bengal hut-style roof. Its main image is a black stone statue of Goddess Kali with a long tongue and golden eyes. It is open roughly 5:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 22:30, and is busiest on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Self-styled priests near the entrance often ask for payment, and you can politely decline.
Opening hours
Approx. 05:00–14:00, 17:00–22:30
Nearby sights
- Netaji Bhawan
- Rabindra Sarobar
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- Victoria Memorial
- Birla Mandir
- Birla Planetarium
- Maidan
- South Park Street Cemetery