KaliBadi Kali Temple – Jharsuguda An Embodiment of Cultural & Spiritual Unity

Like Share & Comment

ARTICLE BY:- ROHIT KUMAR LOHARA

www.jharsugudatimes.in  07-OCT-2018 JHARSUGUDA

Kali our amazing mother goddess is the protector of her child the mankind. Kali is the most destructive and fearsome goddesses as well as most loving just like a mother to her children. She is the counterpart of the god Shiva the destroyer.

Although in Hindu Mythologies Goddess Kali is depicted to have association with death and violence in actual sense she is the most compassionate among all. Nowhere in Hindu Mythologies she is depicted as killing anything but sinful demons. This indicates her care and compassion for mankind. It is another form of Maa Durga.

The mother goddess is worshipped in many forms in India by Hindus. The goddess is particularly worshipped in Eastern and Southern India and specifically in Assam, Kerala, Kashmir, Bengal, Odisha. Hence numerous Kali Temples are built in each and every province of India.

JHARSUGUDA KALIBADI KALI MANDIR

One of such numerous temples is a temple located in industrial city of Jharsuguda. The temple is a famous for age old traditions of Kali Puja associated with Hindu Bengali community and Saradiya Durga Puja.

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE

Initially here Devotees used to worship Goddess Kali beneath a palm tree which was located near new temple. As the worship of the goddess gained momentum among the local Bengali community AMULYA NATH BANARJEE a man with a philanthropic attitude donated a piece of land for temple of Maa Kali. Afterwards a small temple was erected for the goddess was shifted to the temple. This was all around year 1952-53. Adjacent to the temple is a cemetery considered befitting for the worship of Shakti according to Tantric traditions.

RENOVATION OF TEMPLE

Renovation work of Kali Temple has been going since 2002. It is expected that renovation work of temple will be complete this year (2018). Temple is constructed on donation of devotees. Mr Tapas Kumar Roy Choudhary (Sr. Advocate and a prominent citizen of city) as the Secretary of Kalibadi Committee supervises the overall activities of committee and temple.

Presently the structure of newly renovated temple is the buzz of the town as the new temple resembles the majestic historical Dakhineswar Kali Temple of Kolkata.

ARCHITECTURE OF TEMPLE

The present Temple is built in the traditional ‘NAVA-RATNA’ or NINE SPIRES style of Bengal architecture. Temple looks like a two storey building. Nine small temples built above the main temple. On first floor, there are four small temples which located on four corners.  Height of small temples are about   10 feet .There are 5 small temple on second floor, from which 4 temples is placed on four corners and one temple at centre of main temple that is slightly larger than other temples. The height of the temple is about 95 feet.

According to Hindu beliefs Shiva and Shakti both are inseparable forms. One cannot manifest without other. Hence where Maa Kali is worshipped the God Shiva is worshipped in one or another form.

In front of main temple, there stands a Shiva temple. Two temples are built up face to face. Height of SHIVA temple is about 25 feet and occupies 1500 square feet area.

GARBHA GRIHA

Kali is portrayed mostly in two forms: the popular four-armed form and the ten-armed Mahakali form. But four-armed KALI is worshipped by devotees in this temple. In GARBHA GRIHA (Sanctum Sanctorum) along the idol of goddess Kali, there is an idol of Ramakrishna Paramhans in sitting position behind Maa Kali. Idols of Swami Vivekananda and  Sarada Devi in sitting position are on right and left side of goddess kali respectively.

Statue of mother Kali is black and wearing a Bengali type crown of silver which is painted or gilded. She is like many Hindu deities; a multiple armed figure with the number of arms is four. Each arm usually holds an object and upper left arm holding sword, in lower left a severed head. Her upper right hand forms the ABHAYA MUDRA (gesture of fearlessness), and lower right makes the offering VARADA MUDRA (gesture of dispensing boons).

 THE SERVITOR

According to the present priest ( Sushant Mishra ) , Nirmal Bramachari was first priest of temple. After death of Nirmal Bramachari, Damodar Mishra took charge as  priest. Sri Jitendra Narayan Mukharjee and Sri Kartik  Chakrabarti  also served as priests of this temple. Presently Sushant Mishra and Raju Mishra are priests at the temple.

KALIBADI COMMITTEE

For regular maintenance development and beautification of temple, Kalibadi was established. All the important events like  Durga Puja, Kali Puja , different birth anniversaries of great men and Bangala Naba Barsha ( First Day of Bengali Calendar)  are organised by this committee on the temple campus. Care, security and day to day management of Kali  Temple complex is carried out under supervision of Kalibadi committee.

FESTIVALS AT THE TEMPLE

Major festival of temple is DURGA PUJA and KALI  PUJA which is celebrated annually. During DASHAHARA , a PENDAL with a unique theme is constructed every year. The annual DURGA PUJA celebration here is famous for its simple yet devotional manner in every activity and rituals involved in Puja. The Durga Puja celebration here reportedly started in year 1958.

Apart from this, different anniversaries are observed here such as Rabindra  Jayanti, Swami Vivekanand Jayanti , Mother Sarada Jayanti  and Ramakrishna Jayanti. Bangala Naba Barsa is also observed with great enthusiasm.

HOW TO REACH

Kalibadi Kali temple is just 01 km from Jharsuguda Railway Station. Temple is located on road side hence easily approachable. Devotees and visitor can easily reach to this spiritual place by foot from Bus Station as it is within the walking distance. Place is woman, child and disable friendly.

So what are you waiting for with the Navaratra Festival on air you must visit the place at least once. May all your wishes be fulfilled by Goddess Maa Kali this festive season; this is the prayer from us.

Although utmost care has been taken by Author to present the fact. Any error / mistake caused is purely unintentional. Suggestions and correction on article is invited.  Like Share & Comment

Like Share & Comment