Pramanik Kali Bari

There are a number of temples in Cossipore Baranagar area of which Pramanik Kali Bari of 225, Pramanik Ghat Road, Kolkata – 700036 deserves mention. The temple was established in Maghi purnima tithi of 1259 Bangabda, which, according to Gregorian calendar comes to 1852.

The temple was constructed by Durgaprasad Dey and Ramgopal Dey of Dey Pramanik family of Baranagar.

The presiding deity of the temple is Brahmamoyee Kali. The goddess is carved out of kastipathar by Nabin Pal. There are also four Shiva lingas two inside and outside the temple namely Jamuneswar, Gangeswar, Dwarakeswar and Rameswar.

The temple is of nabaratna style of Bengal’s temple architecture. The main temple is of 52 feet in height. A flight of stairs will lead you to the temple, which has triple entrance. The Siva temples which are of 10 feet in height are of aatchala style – two big and two small. The bigger Shiv mandirs are within the temple courtyard on both the sides and two smaller temples just facing the road at the entrance.

Daily worship is performed here – one in the morning and the other in the evening. Apart from Kali puja, the principal festival is the foundation day of this temple which falls on Maghi purnima day (full moon in the Bengali month of Magh, ie mid-January to mid-February.

It is said Ramakrishna Paramahansadev used to call Brahamayee Kali as ‘mashi‘ (maternal aunty). This is clearly depicted in the stone plaque at the entrance of the temple.

Reference:

Anchalik Itihaas Baranagar (Volume: 8) – Ajit Sen.

Special thanks to Shri Prasanta Kumar Dey of Dey Pramanik family of Baranagar.

Date of posting: 3rd November, 2018.