There are quite a lot of Kali temples in and around Kolkata of which some are old. One such temple located at 147, Kankulia Road, Kolkata – 29 popularly known as Kankulia Kali Mandir is where Maa Anandamoyee is worshipped daily.
The present dalan-shaped temple was built in 1355 bangabda, though the idol was much older. The goddess was established by Late Jogindra Chandra Dasgupta in the amavasya tithi of Bengali month of Aashar (June-July), 1339 bangabda (1932) at Pakshi in Pabna district (now in Bangladesh). It was said that Maa Anandamoyee first appeared in a dream. The temple at Kankulia was built in 1948 and thereafter the goddess was reinstalled by Late Chittaranjan Dasgupta who happened to be the son of Late Jogindra Chandra Dasgupta. Apart from the daily worship, special puja is held on each and every amavasya tithi (new moon). The idol of goddess Kali was made from kosthipathar (touchstone).
Inside the temple sanctum there are other deities worshipped along with Maa Kali. There was another round shaped open temple inside the courtyard. It is on a raised platform standing on four pillars with art works on the outer side houses the shivalinga. According to Shri Chanchalmoy Chattopadhyay, the present priest of the temple, Shivaratri and Nil puja are also celebrated here. The main temple looks more or less in a dilapidated state. Stucco works and bells are seen on the outer walls of the temple. There was also a bhog ghar. But sad to say the upper part of the temple has been completely taken away by vegetation. The temple requires immediate restoration to protect it from further decay.
Special thanks to Shri Chanchalmoy Chattopadhyay
Date of posting: 11th May, 2025.
Blog of Kinjal Bose 