Kali Mata of Kunsari

Getting there

• By air

  Katni has no airport. The nearest is Jabalpur airport, about 107 km away.

• By train

  Katni is one of the major railway junctions of the country, with train connections to many places in India.

• By road

  State and national highways pass through Katni city, and buses run from other cities to Katni.

Why devotees come here

Kali Mata Mandir stands on the bank of the Hiran river in Kunsari village, Katni district. Local people have looked to it as a centre of faith for years. Its legend links the shrine to the Kali temple of Kolkata, and the village is 23 km from Dhimarkheda tehsil headquarters.

Kali Mata Mandir stands on the banks of the Hiran river in Kunsari village. The village lies 23 km from the Dhimarkheda tehsil headquarters. The temple has been a centre of faith for local people for years.

People believe the shrine is connected to the Kali temple of Kolkata. The story is told of Banshilal Bagri, a villager who went to Kolkata for darshan but could not get inside because of the crowd. He then meditated on Kali Mata of Kunsari, and the priest of the Kolkata temple sent someone out to call him in.

Kunsari has two Mata shrines, one on the riverbank and one inside the village. In the story, Banshilal turned to Kali Mata of Kunsari when the crowd blocked his way. The connection to Kolkata is a local belief.

Tips for your visit

• Kunsari has a second Mata shrine inside the village, apart from the riverside temple, so plan to see both if you can.
• Katni has train connections with almost all parts of India, and buses come to the city from other cities.

Questions people ask