Thanthania Kali Bari Of Kolkata

It says, 'thhan thhan' sound of bell of Kali temple could be heard from the nearby jungle and some say, the then residents of that area installed a big bell there and rang it to alert other residents from the invasion of dacoits. />

Whatever it may be, the area got the peculiar name 'Than thane' (ঠনঠনে) and the Kali temple there too got the name 'Than thane Kali Bari' (ঠনঠনে কালী বাড়ি).

In the year 1703 - that means about 320 years ago a Tantrik named Uday Narayan Brahmachari established Siddheswari Kali murti there made of clay. The area was surrounded by jungles at that time. Uday Narayan used to sit on 'Panchamundi Asan' (পঞ্চমুন্ডি আসন) and performed 'sadhana' (সাধনা). 

Later, a local trader of Bahir Shimla near Than thane - Ramshankar Ghosh alias Shankar Ghosh erected a pacca 'Aat chala' (আটচালা) and temple (মন্দির) for goddess Kali there in the year 1806. But actualy, the mud temple was founded in the year 1703. By reckoning this, the age of this temple is 318 years. The family of Shankar Ghosh still perform the puja here. />

Now, let me say about Dipanwita Kali Puja here. The rituals begins on the day of Krishna Panchami. 'Angaraag' (অঙ্গরাগ) of goddess Kali begins from this day. On thirteenth day, that means on Trayodoshi tithi the idol of goddess Kali bring back to the seat of Panchamundi. At day time, the idol use to bathed and at night goddess Kali wear a white sari with red border. It calls 'Kumari Besh' (কুমারী বেশ). />

At Kali Puja night, goddess Kali wear 'Benarasi sari' (বেনারসী শাড়ি). Throghout the year, all types of sari use to wear to goddess Kali offered by the devotees. />

Another important point is, most of the ornaments of goddess Kali are made of silver here but the tongue is made of gold.

A garland comprised of 41 silver heads is on the neck of goddess Kali. Although 'Annabhog' is not offered here, but on the night of Dipanwita Kali Puja, veg 'bhog' is. offered to goddess Kali which includes Luchi (লুচি), fried potato (আলু) and pointed gourd (পটল), alur dom (আলুর দম), dhokar dalna (ধোঁকার ডালনা) and various sweets. The devotees fulfil their "mannat" here by sacrifice of goats here till now. Besides Kartik Amavasya puja, Ratanti Kali Puja in the month of Magh and Falharini Kali Puja in month of Joisthya are also performed here.

Ramkrishna Paramhansa, sadhak kavi Ramprasad and Kamalakanta once attended this puja. />

Below are the images of Thanthania Kali Bari and Siddheswari Kali of this temple: