Dakshineshwar Mandir

History

The Dakshineshwar temple was been built by Rani Rashmoni in the year 1847. It is a 12- spired temple with its enormous courtyard which is surrounded by 12 other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a world famous place of pilgrimage and it was at this place that the famous religious thinker Rama Krishna Paramahamsa achieved his spiritual vision and preached the unity of all religions.

Significance of the temple

Ramakrishna is one who served as temple's head priest. Since the first days of his service in the shrine of the goddess Kali, was filled with a rare form of love for the Goddess known in Hinduism as maha-bhava. Worshiping in front of the statue of Goddess Kali, Ramakrishna would be overcoming with such an ecstatic love for the deity that he would fall to the ground and immersed in spiritual trance, lose all consciousness of the external world. Ramakrishna fully realized and all-inclusive nature of the divine.
The Temple which is dedicated to Goddess Bhavatarini, along an aspect of Goddess Kali, Dakshineswar Temple is situated on the eastern side of River Hooghly in Dakshineswar locality of Kolkata. The construction of the temple was started in the year 1847 by Queen Rasmani and was completed in 1855. It was consecrated in the same year. Covering nearly 25 acres of land, the temple of Dakshineswar is one of the largest temples in Kolkata. There are 9 spired main temples dedicated to Goddess Kali and 12 shrines along the boundary wall dedicated to Lord Shiva. Along the riverfront, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. According to the legend, Goddess Kali came in the dreams of Queen Rasmani prior to the day when she was to leave for a pilgrimage to Benaras. Goddess advised the queen not to go to Benaras and build a temple on the banks of River Ganges there itself. She would manifest the image and accept worships. It was then the land was bought and the temple was built. It is also said that it was here that the great Saint Ramakrishna had attain tended his spiritual vision. The benevolent administrator who is Rani Rashmoni was always in conflict with the stringent British laws and policies. People honored her and loved her for her daring and benevolent spirit. Dakshineswar temple has bathing ghats which are way from Subarnarekha River to Puri, Imperial Library (present National Library) and Hindu College (present Presidency College) are the testimonials to her benevolent nature.
Today if devotees visit the holy Dakshineswar temple, its serves as the raw spiritual energy envelops oneself. Lakhs of devotes come and offer prayers to the presiding deity with the customary red hibiscus flowers and sandesh or sweetmeat.
Besides the main Kali temple in the temple complex there are 12 Shiva temples right opposite to the main temple. Each of them is embedded with a Shiva Lingam. Apart from theShiva temples, a gorgeous Lord Laxmi Narayan temple too attracts hordes of devotees.
One can also visit the legacy of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and perhaps even get a whiff of his holy essence by visiting his living room where he resiedes at times , which is located towards the North West corner of the temple. The bed in which Sri Ramakrishna used to rest is carefully preserved. On top of the bed, a photograph of the master has been kept. All across the room, there are photographs of great men and women who had the divine fortune of coming in contact with the master. There is absolute silence inside the room and people come from all over the world to spend a few precious moments at this holy chamber.

Time to Visit

The timing to visit the Dakshineshwar Temple is form 7 A.M. - 12 P.M. & 4 P.M. - 9 P.M. In the temple Tuesdays and Saturdays being the most propitious days as far as goddess Kali is concerned, both these days are very crowded with number of Devotees. Nonetheless, it is advisable to visit the temple during the morning hours between 7 A.M. to 8 A.M. One can also visit the temple after sunset. The Sandhya Aarati or Evening Aarati is absolutely amazing and the entire temple reverberates with spiritual vibrations.