Delhi – Dakshin Kalibari Temple

History and the story of Dakshin Kalibari temple, Delhi

The history of the Dakshin Kalibari temple goes back to 1967. As the story goes – a group of like-minded Bengali gentlemen of the Phalguni Sangha Club met as usual on a Sunday morning. Over cups of tea, they talked about old times. Inevitably the conversation turned to Kalighat and the Kali Mandir there. What they missed most was the darshan of Kali Mata. Suddenly one of the groups had a bright idea. He suggested they get together and build their own Kalibari,  here in Delhi. It would be a replica of the temple in Kolkata. The Phalguni Sangha club celebrated Durga Puja on an open ground every year. This year’s function had recently concluded. They even had surplus funds left over from the Puja celebrations. They decided to use these funds to make a beginning. The idea gained momentum and the group started looking for land and collecting funds. Very soon they located an ideal piece of land at the foot of Swami Malai hillock. The land was not level but it was perfect for a temple, with its ups and downs. By the beginning of July 1968, a temporary temple was ready. On the 13th of July, people started to worship in the temple.  Mrs. Purnima Gupta donated the Murti of Kali Mata. There was heavy rain marked on that day.

As luck would have it the temple attracted the attention of the Delhi Development Authority. They declared it an illegal construction and served a demolition notice. This raised a massive outcry and protest from the residents. A committee of the  Kalibari Association was formed. Late Shri Nalani Ranjan Ghosh was the president. Shri Chitta Basu served as a secretary. They both were members of Parliament at that time.  Other members were Anil Kumar Ghosh and Durgajati Bose. They got a court order and stayed the demolition proceedings. They then approached the Government for the regularisation of the land. It was soon granted. The committee adopted a formal constitution. The working of the temple association was on track. Their first Durga Puja celebration was in 1969. V.V. Giri the then President of India was one of the attendees. There was no looking back and the temple was now humming with activity and a steady flow of worshippers. By 1980 the temple gets the land registered and got legal possession. Two rooms and quarters for the priest were then built. In 1982 there was a committee with Shri Pranab Mukherji as the Chairman. Pranab Mukherji was Finance Minister then and later President of India. Work began in earnest for the main temple. Plans and designs were approved by the Delhi Municipal Corporation and the Urban Arts Commission. Bhit Puja was on 20th July 1983. The foundation stone was laid by Swami Ranganathananda, Vice President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission in the presence of Shri Pranab Mukherjee and many other distinguished guests. On the 11th of June 1987, Murtis of Kali Maa, Lord Shiva, and Radha-Krishna were enshrined and the doors of the temple were thrown open for worship.

By 1991, Dakshin Kalibari Trust has members like Pranab Mukherji and other famous personalities. As of now, there is the temple, discourse hall, and Dharamshala. Later plans include an open-air theatre, library, and dispensary. The temple itself is a beautiful structure. Temple does have proper acoustics, ventilation, and natural light. Smt. Purnima Gupta donated the original Murti.  This Murti is in the temple as ‘Adi Shakti’. Major festivals celebrated here are Durga Puja, Janmashtami, and Kali Puja.

Importance of Dakshin Kalibari temple

Dakshin Kalibari Temple in Delhi is a labor of love and devotion. It gives the greatest joy to devotees who can connect with their roots. Bengali communities are not complete without a Kalibari of their own anywhere in the world. Dakshin Kalibari is a temple and a center for Bengali cultural events.

Best time to visit Dakshin Kalibari temple

Delhi can be visited all through the year, but from October to March is the best time to visit.

How to reach Delhi

The nearest railway station is the New Delhi railway station is about 13 km from the temple.

Old Delhi Railway Station is about 17 km from the temple.

The nearest airport is Delhi Airport and is 5.5 km from the temple.

Puja in Delhi – Dakshin Kalibari Temple

Pandit Ji in Delhi – Dakshin Kalibari Temple

Accomodation in Delhi – Dakshin Kalibari Temple

• Delhi – Adhyatm Sadhna Kendra
• Delhi – Birla Dharamshala (Laxmi Narayan Mandir)
• Delhi – Swaminarayan Mandir Sevashram

Nearby Attractions

• Birla Mandir
• Akshardham Temple
• Hanuman Mandir
•  Red Fort

Temple Location