Kalighat Temple in Kolkata: Celebrating the Place for Ritualistic Perception and Togetherness

Kalighat Temple is one of the most important places of celebrating ritualistic behaviour of people with diverse socio-economic background. The temple is located at Kolkata (earlier Calcutta) in West Bengal state and is considered as a significant cultural heritage site with the association of the Goddess Kali and the Shakti (Sati) Peetha tradition according to Hindu religious belief. People’s ritualistic perception attached to this temple spread from the temple’s inner sanctum and extends into the wider arena of the entire city.

The present study aims to identify the various aspects related to the nature of infrastructure and also investigate to explore the ritualistic perception that are linked to the religious activities of the Kalighat temple. Based on qualitative method of study, the present research reveals that, the Kalighat Temple represents a different significance for different people with diversity in social groups and economic classes and their continuous interactions and interdependencies. The study also points out that, the temple offers numerous possibilities to local people depending on daily, special and ceremonial temple functions both socially, economically, culturally and spiritually.