Chinese Kali Temple, West Bengal

Address

Chinese Kali Temple, Matheswartala Road, Tangra, Kolkata, West Bengal 700046, India.

Diety

Shiva Amman: Kali

Introduction

The quirkiest temple in Kolkata is Chinese Kali Temple. The temple is one of the most unique religious sites in Kolkata. Situated in tangra, Kolkata, west Bengal, India. This popular temple in Kolkata is more than 60-year-old. Since then, Chinese Kali Temple serves as the great example of unity between Hindus and Chinese. Before the present structure, the temple was built under a tree where devotees worshipped a Black Stone smeared with sindoor. An interesting thing to know about this sacred place in Kolkata is that the ‘prasad’ (holy offering) offered at the temple are noodles and chopsuey. The temple is called “Chinese Kali Temple” and is located in Kolkata’s famous Tangra area also called the “China Town”.

Puranic Significance

There is an interesting story associated with this temple in Kolkata. There was a 10-year-old Chinese boy from the surrounding area, who fell so ill that even doctors were unable to cure his disease. Losing all hopes, his parents lay him down near an old tree and prayed to god for his good health. They continued to pray several days. Suddenly, on one day a miracle happened; the boy got well. With that miracle, the site became a place of religious importance and ever since, it has become one of the important pilgrimage sites in Kolkata, West Bengal. The entire granite temple was built in 1998 wherein every single Chinese family donated money for its construction. Along with the holy idol of Mother Kali, you can also worship Lord Shiva and another smaller idol of Goddess Kali. The temple and the idol look the same as in any other Goddess Kali temple in India. The thing that makes it unique is the Prasad first offered to Goddess and later distributed among devotees. Chinese cuisine like noodles, chop suey, sticky rice, and various other dishes are also offered to Goddess Kali in this temple.

Special Features

The shrine is similar to other Kali temples across the state in appearance. Devotees perform puja twice a day and offer hibiscus garlands to the goddess. But instead of receiving sweets as bhog, they are given noodles, fried rice, and other delicacies.