Built in 1855 by the Queen Rashmoni, Dakshineshwar Kali Temple is where saint Ramakrishna Paramhans had attained enlightenment. The place where he lived in the temple is always visible and open to visitors. Queen Rashmoni was a devotee of Kali and was also a philanthropist. A large courtyard surrounds the temple. It has several rooms within boundary walls as well. The main temple is built with nine spires. There is a bathing ghat as well on the river. There are twelve shrines, alongside the riverfront,
dedicated to Lord Shiva, Goddess Kali’s companion. Within the campus, there is a temple dedicated to Radha & Krishna. There is a shrine dedicated to Rani Rashmoni. There is a story related to the construction of the temple. Rani Rashmoni was to go on a pilgrimage to Kashi (Varanasi) along with family, relatives & supplies. But before going to the pilgrimage, she had a dream in the night before departure date. In her dream, the Mother Divine appeared in the form of Goddess Kali and asked her the following words - “There is no need to go to Banaras. Install my statue in a beautiful temple on the banks of the River Ganga and arrange for my worship there. Then I shall manifest myself in the image and accept worship at that place.”
Architectural style of the temple is typical of Bengal specific. It is built with nine spires or the Nava Ratna style. The three storeyed temple faces towards the south. The nine spires are in the upper two storeys. The temple stands high on a platform and rises over 100 feet. There is a flight of stairs leading to the top. The sanctum sanctorum or Garbha Griha has idol of Goddess Kali known as Bhavtarini, the presiding deity. The shrine stands on the chest of supine Shiva. The other two idols stand on a silver lotus with thousand petals. There are 12 identical Shiva temples in a row. These temples, facing the east, are identical to the main temple. Typical Bengali architecture called ‘aat-chala’ style is followed. The best part is that those are constructed on both sides of River Hooghly. There is a Vishnu Temple or the Radha Kanta Temple on the north east of the temple complex.
The temple is dedicated to the goddess Kali whose statue is on a lotus flower in silver. The main temple is surrounded by 12 small temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is no entry fee for visiting the temple. The temple is open on all days from Sunday to Saturday. The timings of the temple is from 6 am to 12.30 pm and then from 3.30 pm to 8.30 pm.