Dakshineswar Kali temple has an interesting story. The construction of this fabulous temple was initiated in the year 1847 and completed in 1855. The credit for the construction of Calcutta Dakshineswar Kali temple goes to the queen Rashmani of Janbazar. Located on the bank of the Ganges, north of Belur Math in Kolkata, it is dedicated to Goddess kali. It is a spacious temple covering an area of about 25 acres. Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the famous spiritual leader is also associated with this temple, as it was over here only that he had worshipped Goddess Kali and formed a rare form of love for her, which is popularly known as maha-bhava in Hinduism. Read on to know about the history of Dakshineswar Temple of Kolkata, India. The legend associated with the establishment of the temple suggests that the queen Rashmani was all set to leave for the sacred city of Benaras to worship the divine mother and seek her blessings. During those times, going by boat was the only feasible option, as there were no railway lines between Calcutta and Benaras. But one night before, it so happened that divine mother Kali appeared in the dreams of Rani Rasmani and instructed her to construct a beautiful temple on the banks of the Ganges River and install her idol in it. She also said that she would manifest herself in the image over there and accept her devotion. It is one of the largest temples in Kolkata.

50ft in length and 75 ft in width, this 16 pillared structure with a roof is an open hall which served the purpose for many religious discourses as well as spiritual songs. Just above the Nat Mandir, there is an idol of Lord Shiva whom Sri Ramkrishna always prayed before entering the Kali temple. To the south of this Nat Mandir there is a place for religious sacrifice. It was here, that in a religious gathering Bhairavi Bramhani Yogeshwari Devi proved Sri Ramakrishna to be an avatar according to the Sashtra. In the Nat Mandir in 1864 the Annomeru Utsav was held by Mathur Mohan Biswas. Various religious songs like chandigaan, jatragaan, Kali Katha, bhajan kirtan, matri sangeet and more are practised here.

To the north east of the Temple Complex is the Vishnu Temple or the Radha Kanta Temple. A flight of steps lead to the columned verandah and into the temple where a silver throne rests with a idol of Lord Krishna (21 and half inches) and idol of Radha (16 inches). Puja is performed here daily and it is said that Sri Ramakrishna himself offered puja here. A room next to it has the original idol of Lord Krishna which was replaced when repeatedly the leg of the idol broke. Though it was repaired since the time of Sri Ram Krishna it was ultimately replaced by the present idol in 1930 by the Debottar Estate.

A series of 12 identical Shiva temples are established within the premises of the Devalaya. Opposite to the Kuthi Bari these temples are close to the banks of the River Ganga. The interior of the temples is in white and black stone and each of the temples houses Shiva lingas done in black stone. The temples face the east and are constructed in the typical Aat Chala Bengal architecture. The series of temples are divided by the Chadni (River bank), keeping the six Shiva temples to the left and the other six to the right. Prayers are offered here every day and it was here Sri Ramkrishna is said to have meditated here to reach enlightenment.

Rani Rashmoni Road, the road west to the Dakshineshwar Station leads to the Vivekananda gateway of the Kali temple complex. Keeping the temple to the left, to its east is a pond called Gaji Pukur which is 260 ft in length and 120 ft in width. Northeast to the pond is Gaji Tala. It is at this place Sri Ramkrishna explored Islam. Close to the place is a peepal tree. When the Dakshineswar Kali temple was built Rani Rashmoni did not disturb the Gaji Tala but rather marked the peer as a place where both Hindus as well as Muslims came to offer prayers. Today Gaji Tala is maintained by Debottar Estate.

There are two Nahabat Khanas in the Dakshineswar Complex, the one at the southern garden is closed while the other is towards the west of the Kuthi Bari and north of the Kali Temple. Nahabat, an assortment of many musical instruments were played in the ancient times while today the temple authorities resort to only Dhak, Dhol and Kashi during the aarati. Just below the Nahabat Khana is the room of Sri Sarada Ma who resided here when she came to Dakshineshwar. Daily prayers are offered to her here.

To the North of Bakul Tala is a wide open space called the Panchabati and to its south in later years under Sri Ramkrishnas guidance, 5 trees Banyan, Peepal, Neem, Amlaki and Woodapple trees were planted. Soil from the Radha Kund and Shyam Kund of Vrindavan was brought here to plant these trees. It is in Panchabati that Sri Ramkrishna spent 12 years of sadhana. Under the tutelage of Sri Totapuri he took sanyas according to vedantic rites. For the purpose of sadhana, a hut was built in Panchabati which was later rebuilt into Shanti Kuthi. Close to it is a Shiv temple with a Shiv linga where puja is performed every day.

Close to Dakshineswar temple is Adyapith, a pilgrim centre, the temple of Adya Ma. Sree Annada Thakur being advised in a dream had built this temple of 'Adya Ma' in order to teach man the dictums of love and idealism. The construction was started in 1340 BS and the temple was inaugurated on Makar Sankranti (last day of Bengali calendar month Poush) in 1375 BS. On this bottom is a murti of Sri Ramakrishna with word Guru inscrebed nearby on this middle altar is a replica of the murti of Adya Ma found by Ananda Thakur in the Eden Garden. This murti is made of 8 metals. Nearby inscribed "Knowledge and Work".Topmost of adorned by the murtis of Radha & Krishna. Known all over the world as Divine Couple. Love is written on the altar . One hour brfore sunrise Mangalarati starts, at 10.30 is Bhogarati, 1.5 hours after sunrise is Sitalarati.