Kalipitha Shakti Peetha

Kalighat Kali Temple is one of Kolkata’s most important religious landmarks and a major centre of Kali worship. The present temple stands near the Adi Ganga and displays a distinctive form of the Goddess with a prominent golden tongue. West Bengal Tourism describes it as a major pilgrimage destination whose festival days draw very large numbers of devotees.

The Peetha is recorded as Kalipitha, with Kalapitha and Kalighat as alternate names. According to the tradition used in this database, Sati’s right toes, or dakshina-padanguli, fell here. The Goddess is Kali and the accompanying Bhairava is Nakulesha, also written Nakulisha or Nalisha. Sources differ over whether the tradition refers to one toe or several toes, so the plural and spelling variants should remain qualified. Kalighat is the accepted modern shrine.

Kali Puja is the temple’s largest annual celebration. Snan Yatra, Navratri, Durga Puja, Poila Boishakh and other important Bengali observances also bring heavy attendance. The current structure dates largely to the early nineteenth century, while the sacred location and literary references are older. Kalighat’s influence extends beyond pilgrimage into Kolkata’s cultural identity and artistic history. Its active worship, urban setting and widely recognised Peetha association make it one of the most significant Shakta destinations in eastern India.