Firingi Kalibari

ফিরিঙ্গি কালীবাড়ি

The Kali temple linked to a Portuguese-descended poet of Bengali song.

About Firingi Kalibari

Firingi means foreigner. The temple takes its name from Hensman Anthony, known as Anthony Firingee, a man of Portuguese descent who became a famous Bengali kabiyal (singer-poet) around 1800 and was a devotee here. The small temple of Siddheshwari Kali on B.B. Ganguly Street is old and busy, squeezed between jewellers’ shops.

Why visit

A story of the city’s mixed roots, told by a street-side shrine.

What to see and do

The image of Kali with Shiva
Evening worship
The goldsmiths’ street around it

Plan your visit

Area: Bowbazar & Old Chinatown, Central Kolkata
Nearest landmark: Bowbazar crossing on B.B. Ganguly Street
Best time: Morning or evening. October to March is the most comfortable time of year.
Time needed: About 15 minutes
Cost: Free
Entry: An active place of worship that admits visitors; its own rules apply.
Metro: Central (Blue Line), about 8 minutes’ walk
Walking: Little walking
Photography: Photography is restricted.
Food nearby: Bhim Chandra Nag for sandesh, a short walk east.

Nearby and related places

Bhim Chandra Nag: An 1826 sweet shop, home of the ledikeni.
Bow Barracks: A lane of red-brick blocks, home to an Anglo-Indian community and its Christmas.
Tiretta Bazaar Chinese Breakfast: Momos, pork buns and fish-ball soup sold on the pavement at dawn.
Sea Ip Church: A Chinese clan temple from 1905, called a church.
Toong On Church: A red-brick Chinese temple that once housed the city’s first Chinese restaurant.
Bauddha Dharmankur Sabha: The 1892 monastery that gave Buddhist Temple Street its name.

Walks that include it

Old Chinatown Exploration: Clan temples, brick barracks and a Kali for a Portuguese poet

More guides

Last checked on 2026-10-02. Each place was checked to exist and its position confirmed. Timings, closing days and ticket prices are shown only where known and can change: confirm before you travel.