Thousands Flock to Kali Temples Across Bengal to Celebrate Kali Puja

Kolkata, Oct 2025 : Thousands of devotees thronged Kali temples across West Bengal on Monday to celebrate Kali Puja, marking the occasion with prayers, rituals, and festive lights. From Kolkata to Birbhum, temples witnessed massive turnouts as devotees sought the blessings of Goddess Kali.

Long queues were seen at the 322-year-old Thanthania Kali Bari, Kalighat Temple, Firangi Kali Bari, and the Dakshineswar Temple in North Kolkata. In Birbhum, thousands gathered at Tarapith, one of the most revered Shakti Peethas in the state.

In South Kolkata, the Karunamoyee Kali Bari—popularly known as Lake Kali Bari—celebrated the traditional Kumari Puja, symbolizing the divine feminine power. The famous Bara Maa Kali Puja in Naihati, North 24 Parganas, also drew large crowds, with elaborate decorations and traditional rituals.

Major community pujas, including the Phata Kesto Pandal in Kolkata and several others in Barasat and North 24 Parganas, witnessed heavy footfall as devotees gathered to offer prayers, light lamps, and enjoy cultural festivities.

On the occasion, West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended greetings to the people of the state.

“May this festival of light illuminate our lives and lead us towards harmony,” Governor Bose said in his message, wishing the people health, prosperity, and peace.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also shared a festive song composed by Sreelekha Bandyopadhyay and written by herself, extending warm greetings for both Kali Puja and Diwali.

Posting on X, Banerjee prayed, “Compassionate Mother, Goddess of Light, dispel darkness and bring peace to all.”

Across the state, vibrant lights, incense, and chants filled the air as Bengal celebrated the night of the Goddess with devotion and joy.

About 500 years ago, in the mid-1400s, a Tantrik from Punjab received divine visions from Maa Kali, instructing him to meditate under a banyan tree in Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur district, where the Kulik River flows. The area, once a thriving port (বন্দর) for millet trade through the Bay of Bengal, became a sacred site after the Tantrik journeyed to Bengal and began worshipping Maa Kali there. The banyan tree under which he meditated still stands today.

Over time, this worship evolved into a revered tradition, marking the beginning of Kali Pujo. Later, the King of Dinajpur constructed a temple at the site, preserving its sanctity. The descendants of the saint, believed to be spiritually linked to the great সাধক বামাখ্যাপা, have continued this divine worship for generations.

The ancient temple, known as Bandar Karunamoyee Adi Kali Bari in Uttar Dinajpur, remains a center of devotion, attracting thousands of pilgrims from across Bengal, Assam, Punjab, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and even abroad each year during Kali Pujo.