Thanthania Kalibari

Getting there

• By air

  Flights arrive at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, which handles domestic and international flights. It is in Dum Dum, about 16 km north-east of the city centre.

• By train

  Howrah and Sealdah are two of the five long-distance railway stations in Kolkata.

Why devotees come here

Thanthania Kalibari is a Kali temple on Bidhan Sarani in Kolkata. Kali is worshipped here as Maa Siddheshwari, and the temple is counted among the oldest Kali temples in the city. Its name is said to come from the sound of bells heard on the forest trails once near it.

The temple is counted among the oldest Kali temples in Kolkata. Some legends say the name comes from the bells. People passing through the forest trails near the temple once heard them ringing with a "than-than" sound. Other legends say Ramakrishna Paramahansa lived close to the temple. He is also said to have kept visiting it after he became Paramahansa at Dakshineswar.

The first temple was built in 1703 by the tantrik (a practitioner of tantra) Uday Narayan Brahmachari, on a cremation ground. He had limited money, so the first shrine had mud walls and a roof of palm leaves. The present temple was re-established in 1806 by the businessman Shankar Ghosh. His descendants still serve the temple as sevayets, the families who look after the deity. The temple has a history of more than three centuries, from its founding in 1703 to the present day.

Festivals

• Kali Puja dayKali Puja

  The day of the year when the temple receives the most devotees.

• Kartik AmavasyaKartik Amavasya

  Siddheswari is worshipped here with great pomp.

Tips for your visit

• Tuesdays and Saturdays are considered auspicious for a visit to the temple.
• If you want fewer crowds, avoid Kali Puja day, when the temple receives the most devotees of the year.

Questions people ask