Located on the banks of the Hooghly River, the Dakshineshwar Kali Temple is one of the most popular places of worship not only in Kolkata but all across eastern India. The temple was founded by Rani Rashmoni in 1855, a philanthropist and an ardent devotee of goddess Kali. The presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, an aspect of goddess Kali. The 19th century mystic sage and reformer Ramakrishna Paramhansa and his wife Sarada Devi were associated with this temple for a major part of their lives. A Divine Place: The temple is built in the traditional ‘nava-ratna’ or the nine spires style following the Bengal School of Architecture. The three-storeyed south facing temple has nine-spires in the upper two storeys. It stands on a high platform with a flight of stairs. The idol of Bhavatarini standing on Lord Shiva is securely housed inside the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum). Both the idols are placed on a thousand petal-lotus flower made of pure silver. Opposite the main temple, a ro...