Kolkata's Sacred Sites: Discovering Temples of Tradition In The City Of Joy

India is known for its temples. Temples form the best source of portraying the architectural diversity and beauty that exists in our country. An important part of our rich cultural heritage and history, temples are of great significance in India. Kolkata, also known as the City of Joy is known for its diversity in terms of art, literature, and cultural values. However, Kolkata is equally profound in terms of the city’s religious significance. With a great number of Hindu worship and pilgrimage sites in this city, Kolkata is renowned for its various temples. With a large number of devotees visiting the city to witness Kolkata’s spirituality and seek blessings, here are some of the most well-known temples in Kolkata for you to discover on your next trip to the City of Joy.  

Here are some temples in Kolkata you must visit
Kalighat Mandir

Kalighat Temple or Kalighat Mandir is one of the biggest attractions in Kolkata. Regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peeths in India, Kalighat Mandir in Kolkata holds great significance for not just devotees in the city as well as for those who visit Kolkata from all over the country. With massive historical significance, it is believed that Devi Sati’s right toe fell at the place where the Kalighat Mandir is now situated during Lord Shiva’s Rudra Tandava. The Kalighat Mandir is a 200-year-old temple that is visited by a great number of devotees throughout the year to seek blessings. 
Location: Anami Sangha, Kalighat, Kolkata
Timings: 4:00 am- 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm-10:00 pm

Thanthania Kalibari

Goddess Kali holds great significance in the religious beliefs and culture of West Bengal. One of the much worshipped Gods in not just Kolkata, but all over the state, Maa Kali temples Kolkata form an integral part of the religious sites in the city. A major Maa Kali temple Kolkata is the Thanthania Kalibari, which is one of the most popular temples in North Kolkata. There is a clay image of Goddess Durga in this Maa Kali temple Kolkata, that is changed every year. The temple also conducts Kali Puja as a form of special prayer done in this Maa Kali temple Kolkata. Thanthania Kalibari was founded in 1803, by Shankar Ghosh and is an important pilgrimage site in the city. 
Location: Bidhan Sarani Road, College Street Market, Machuabazar, Kolkata
Timings: 6:00 am-1:00 pm and 3:00 pm- 8:00 pm

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Dakshineswar Mandir

One of the most well-known temples of Kolkata, Dakshineswar Mandir has great religious significance and historical importance. Goddess Bhabatarini, which is one of the Goddess Kali forms that is worshipped at the Dakshineswar Mandir. Dakshineswar Mandir is also known for its archaeological significance, the temple represents the three-storey structure of Bengal architecture. Covering an area of 20 acres, the Dakshinswar Mandir was built in the year 1855. Situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, the Dakshineswar Mandir is one of the most renowned temples in Kolkata. 
Location: Dakshineswar, Kolkata
Timings: 6:00 am- 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm- 7:30 pm

ISKCON Chandrodaya Temple 

The ISKCON Kolkata Mayapur temple is famous for Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s dham in Nabadwip. Situated on the confluence of the rivers Hooghly and Jalangi, in the Nadia district of West Bengal, a number of devotees from all over the world come to visit the ISKCON Kolkata Mayapur temple. The ISKCON Kolkata Mayapur temple is among the 20 most visited sacred places in the world. The ISKCON Chandrodaya temple is the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and holds great significance for the followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. 
Location: Mayapur, West Bengal
Timings: 7:00 am- 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm- 8:00 pm

Arya Samaj Mandir

Arya Samaj is a form of monotheistic Hindu reform movement. Arya Samaj Mandir, Kolkata promotes beliefs and practices which are based on the knowledge gained through the Vedas. Arya Samaj was established in Bengal by Dayanand Saraswati in the year 1875. The members of Arya Samaj Mandir, Kolkata believe in one God and reject the concept of idol worshipping. Arya Samaj Mandir, Kolkata is dedicated towards the holistic improvement of its members in terms of their physical, spiritual and social wellbeing.
Location: Arya Samaj Mandir 1, Munshi Sadruddin Lane, Bara Bazar, Kolkata
Timings: 8:00 am-8:00 pm

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23 Palli Temple

Although Goddess Durga is majorly worshipped during the iconic Durga Puja in Kolkata, and thereafter the Goddess Durga idols are immersed, there are certain places in the City of Joy where Goddess Durga resides permanently. One such sacred place is the 23 Palli Temple, which is one of the most well-known Kolkata Durga mandir. Goddess Durga is worshipped throughout the year in this Kolkata Durga Mandir, and the idol of the Goddess here weighs about 4.5 to 5 tonnes. During Dashami, which is the last day of the much-celebrated Durga Puja, only a ‘kolabou’ of the deity is immersed in the Hooghly River. The idol of the deity stays in this Kolkata Durga mandir and regular aartis are conducted, as well as bhogs are served to the devotees who visit this Kolkata Durga mandir. 
Location: 27C, Basanta Bose Road, Jatin Das Park, Patuapara, Bhowanipore, Kolkata
Timings: 6:00 am- 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm- 9:30 pm