Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

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 th

Firingi Kali Bari is a famous temple of goddess Kali established by Antony Firingi or Antony Kabiyal (who used to compose songs instantly and sing) at Bowbazar Street. Once upon a time this place was a burning ghat (shamshan). Lord Shiva was there in a small room made of sedge leaves  (হোগলা পাতা) in front of sub-stream (খাল) of river Ganges. Kabiyal Antony Firingi regularly attended the Shiva temple. One day, he established there idol of Siddheswari (সিদ্ধেশ্বরী) Kali. Antony appointed Srimanta Pandit as Purohit or priest of Ma Kali. The idol of Siddheswari Kali is very good looking here - the crown of Kali is made of silver, the idol is decorated with various ornaments, the third eye of Ma Kali is not so angry. Irrespective of castes and creeds all the people comes here and pray for their well-being to goddess Kali. A 'Kaath Champa' (কাঠ চাঁপা) tree is there just behind the temple and the lower portion (কাণ্ড) of the tree is looks like the ox of lord Shiva. Many devotees bi