Kalighat
কালীঘাট
The temple town within the city
The old shrine of Kali on the Adi Ganga, one of the Shakti Peeths, around which a whole quarter of priests’ houses, sweet shops and image makers grew. The bold brush paintings sold to pilgrims here in the nineteenth century became famous as Kalighat pat.
Did you know
- Kalighat paintings are now held in museums around the world.
- The idol makers of Kalighat Patuapara work much like those of Kumartuli, on a smaller scale.
A short walk to try
From Kalighat metro walk Kali Temple Road to the temple, then to Patuapara for the idol workshops.
Getting there
- Metro
- Kalighat or Jatin Das Park (Blue Line)
Places to visit in Kalighat
- Kalighat Kali Temple: One of the 51 Shakti Peeths, and the shrine the city is said to be named after.
- Kalighat Patuapara: The south’s own idol-makers’ lane, near the temple.
- Greek Orthodox Church: A Doric temple-fronted church of the 1920s, beside the Kalighat tram depot.
- Lake Market: A neighbourhood market with a South Indian flavour.