Kalighat Kali Temple

Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas — sacred sites where the body parts of Goddess Sati fell. According to tradition, her right toes fell here. The site has been a centre of worship for over a thousand years, though the current structure was built in 1809 CE on the banks of the ancient Adi Ganga (the original channel of the Hooghly).

The presiding deity, Kali, is depicted here in a striking form — a fierce four-armed Goddess with a long golden tongue. The city of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) itself is believed to take its name from Kalighat. The famous painter Jamini Roy drew much of his inspiration from the folk art style that emerged around this temple — the Kalighat paintings. The temple is one of the most visited in all of India.