Location: Eastern banks of Hooghly River.
Hit the Spot: Train services to Dakhineswar are carried out from Sealdah and Howrah station. One can also avail the Dhakineswar Mini bus or buses numbered SS4 or 3.
Photography / Video charges: Strictly prohibited
Nearest Railway Station: Dakhineswar
Nearest International Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.
Entry Fee: Nil

The Dakhineswar Kali Temple is one of the most important religious destinations in West Bengal. Situated on the eastern banks of Hooghly River, the temple has godess Bhavatarini, the Savior of the Universe, as its presiding diety. History says that the temple was built during 1847 - 1855 by Rani Rashmoni, following a dream of the divine mother. The building encompasses a beautiful twelve-spired main temple alongwith a spacious courtyard entwining it. There are rooms along the walls and there is also a bathing ghat nearby. The present temple premises also has a book shop, a parking lot and special shrines dedicated to Shiva, Kali, Radha-Krishna and Rani Rashmoni.

At the northwest and southwest corners of the temple compound are two nahabats, or music towers, from which music flows at different times of day, especially at dawn, noon, and dusk. The chamber in the northwest angle was where Sri Ramakrishna spent a considerable part of his life. The twelve Siva temples inside the main temple campus have the emblems of the Great God of renunciation in His various aspects.

The temple of Radhakanta, also famous as the temple of Vishnu, holds the images of Radha and Krishna, the emblem of the unison with God through euphoric love. The floor is paved with marble and the two images stand on a plinth facing west. Chandeliers, covered with red cloth to prevent dust from accumulating, hangs from the ceiling of the porch. Near the doorsill of the interior shrine, rests a diminutive brass goblet holding holy water. Devoted visitors reverently drink a few drops from the vessel.

The floor of the main temple of Bhavatarini is also is paved with marble. It contains a basalt image of the Mother, dressed in beautiful gold brocade standing over the marble image of Shiva.

The Dakhineswar temple experiences a tremendous footfall throughout the year. However, the rush during the Durga Puja and the Kali Puja festivals is phenomenal.

Special Attractions:

Owing to its connections with the mystic saint Sri Ram Krishna, who served as the head priest of the temple from 1855 to 1886, and his wife Sarada Debi, the birthday celebrations of these illuminaries are important events and attract a host of devotees.

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