Dakshineswar

Dakshineswar is a locality in the Indian state of West Bengal, situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River near Kolkata. It is best known for the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, a major Hindu temple and pilgrimage site that sits within a larger ashram complex.

The temple was commissioned in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni and is dedicated to the goddess Kali. The temple complex is arranged along the riverfront and features a main sanctum as well as several subsidiary shrines and buildings. The principal image worshiped is Kali, often associated with Bhavatarini, and the architecture reflects a mid-19th-century Bengali temple style. The site also includes spaces for religious rituals, lodging, and river-facing precincts that are frequently visited by pilgrims and visitors.

Dakshineswar is closely associated with Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who lived at the site in the 19th century and taught there, drawing followers from across Bengal. His life and dialogues with disciples contributed to the early growth of the Ramakrishna movement. After Ramakrishna’s death, Swami Vivekananda and other disciples continued his spiritual work, and the Dakshineswar area remains a center linked to the Ramakrishna Mission and its activities, though the organization’s global headquarters are at Belur Math.

Today, Dakshineswar Kali Temple remains a prominent religious and cultural landmark. It attracts pilgrims and tourists alike, who come for worship, river views, and the historical association with Ramakrishna. The site is accessible by road and rail from Kolkata and Howrah, with river ferries commonly used to reach the temple.