Dakshineswar temple Travel Guide

A temple that resides in the heart of every single Bengali and is highly revered for being the sanctum sanctorum of Goddess Kali along with the place-of-stay of one of the greatest mystics and yogis of all times, Ramkrishna Paramhansa and his consort and spiritual companion, Maa Sarada Devi. The Dakshineshwar Kali Temple with the untiring efforts of Rani Rashmoni was the result of a dream that the Rani had seen before undertaking a pilgrimage to Benaras (now Varanasi).The large temple complex has a series of 12 mandirs dedicated to Lord Shiva, a Radha-Krishna Temple, bathing ghat, Rani Rashmoni's shrine, Nahavat-Khana, a chamber on the north-western part of the complex where Ramkrishna resided along with the main Kali Temple. With the traditional 'Nava-ratna'-styled Bengali architecture, the three-storey temple stands on a high platform with a fleet of stairs. Overlooking the Hooghly River and the Belur Math across, the Dakshineshwar Kali Temple stands tall with its historical association with some of the greatest names to have resided in the 'City of Joy', Kolkata.Known and unknown facts:the construction of the temple was initiated in the year 1847 and completed in 1855.the total area of the temple complex measures about 54.4bighas and cost Rani Rashmoni around Rs 42, 500.the idols were installed on the auspicious 'snana-yatra' day, 31st May 1855.Visiting hours: October to March- 06:00am to 12:30pm and 03:00pm to 08:30pm April to September- 06:00am to 12:30pm and 03:00pm to 09:00pm