On the corner of Bidhan Sarani in North Kolkata, West Bengal, Thanthania Kalibari stands as a holy shrine for Goddess Kali, worshipped as Siddheshwari, the wish-fulfiller. Built in 1803 by Shankar Ghosh, it is a sacred site tied to Bengal’s tantric culture and heritage.
Key Highlight: The temple’s clay Siddheshwari idol is painted red and black and replaced yearly, making it a unique feature of the temple as a revered Kali shrine.
History of Thanthania Kalibari
Thanthania Kalibari, over 200 years old, was built by Shankar Ghosh, a wealthy Kolkata resident, in 1803, though some claim a 1703 founding by tantrik Uday Narayan Brahmachari in a forest near Gobindapur. The temple grew as a tantric center, visited by Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Ramprasad Sen. A marble plaque names Ghosh as founder, noting his grandson, Swami Subhodhananda, a Ramakrishna disciple.
Legend of Thanthania Kalibari
The Thanthania Kalibari temple was originally established in 1703 by a Tantrik named Uday Narayan Brahmachari on a shmashana (cremation ground). He crafted the clay idol of the presiding deity, Maa Siddheshwari, with his own hands. Due to limited resources, the temple was initially constructed with mud walls and a palm-leaf roof. At the time, the area was deep within the forests of Gobindapur and Sutanuti, long before the formation of the city of Calcutta. As travelers passed through the forest paths near the shrine, they would often hear the ringing of temple bells producing a “than-than” sound—this gave rise to the temple’s prefix, “Thanthania.”
In 1806, a businessman named Shankar Ghosh rebuilt the temple in its present form. Along with reviving the temple, he also constructed the “Pushpeswar Shiv Mandir” in the ath-chala architectural style within the complex. Ghosh took on the responsibility of regular worship, a tradition that his descendants—the temple’s current sevayets—still maintain. Notably, his grandson, Swami Subhodhananda, was a direct disciple of the 19th-century saint Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
According to local legends, Ramakrishna lived nearby during his visits to Gobindapur-Sutanuti and often visited the temple. He would sing devotional songs dedicated to Maa Siddheshwari and share spiritual teachings with the locals. A line he once spoke inside the temple—”Shankarer hridoy majhe, Kali biraje” (Maa Kali resides in the heart of Shankar)—is now engraved on the temple wall. He is said to have preached that Maa Siddheshwari is awakened and present in this sacred space.
Architecture of Thanthania Kalibari
Thanthania Kalibari covers half an acre on Bidhan Sarani, and showcases Bengal’s simple temple style with tiled walls and a flat roof, made of brick and plaster. The main shrine, 8 meters by 8 meters, holds the Siddheshwari idol. A Shiva shrine, 3 meters by 3 meters, sits nearby. The entry, a 3-meter gate with metal carvings dated 2018, opens to a small courtyard, 800 square meters, for hundreds. Clay panels on the Shiva shrine show Kali’s tales, painted black.
Sculptures and Carvings
The temple’s sanctum sanctorum houses a 3-foot clay Siddheshwari idol, four-armed, with a trident and skull, painted red and black yearly, replaced and immersed annually. A 2-foot Shiva linga, black stone, rests in the Shiva shrine, often covered. The Shiva shrine, 50 meters off, has clay panels, 0.6 meters by 0.4 meters, showing Kali’s life, painted black.
Rituals and Worship
Since the temple is a Tantrik temple, all the rituals are followed as per the tantric traditions and hence, animal sacrifice is still continued on all no moon nights and during Kali Puja. People offer bhog, including dab-chingri, and take prasad. The Kali Puja festival in November has chants and old ways since Ghosh’s time. for worship on the occasions of Kali Puja, Kaushiki Amavasya and Phalaharini Amavasya. On different Amavasyas (new moon days), the deity is worshipped in various forms, each aligned with the lunar calendar. During the month of Jaishtha, she is honored as Phalaharini during the Phalaharini Puja. In Kartik, she is worshipped as Aadikali in the Aadikali Puja, and in the month of Magha, she takes the form of Ratanti Kali for the Ratanti Kali Puja. On Kartik Amavasya, during Kali Puja and the Krishnapaksha tithi, she is venerated in her main form as Siddheswari. While devotees visit the temple throughout the year, Kali Puja draws the largest crowds, marking it as the most significant festival at the temple.
Travel Information
Getting to Thanthania Kalibari
In North Kolkata, 5 km from the city center, the temple is reached by metro, bus, tram, or taxi, near College Street.
By Air: Kolkata’s airport, 12 km away, joins Delhi (2 hours), Mumbai (2.5 hours), Chennai (2.5 hours). Taxis take 30 minutes, ₹400–800.
By Train: Howrah Station, 3 km away, links to Sealdah (10 minutes, ₹5–20). Autos or rickshaws take 10 minutes, ₹20–50. Central Station, 2 km away, works too.
By Road: Bidhan Sarani joins Kolkata (5 km, 15 minutes), Howrah (3 km, 10 minutes), Sealdah (2 km, 8 minutes) via NH-12. Buses cost ₹10–30; taxis cost ₹150–400. Trams from Esplanade to Shyambazar stop at Thanthania Kalibari.
Hours and Entry
Open daily, 6:00 AM–11:00 AM, 3:00 PM–8:00 PM. Free entry; puja costs ₹50–500. No phones or cameras inside; lockers at temple counters. Wear clothes covering shoulders and knees; women in sarees or suits, men in kurtas or dhotis. Stalls sell puja items nearby. Contact: +91-9231-942601.
Best Time to Visit
October to March, 12–25°C, is good for visits. Kali Puja (November), Dipannwita Amavasya, and Tuesdays/Saturdays bring crowds; go at dawn. Skip April–June, 25–40°C, for less heat and fewer people.
Nearby Places
College Street (Boi Para), 800 meters, famous book market.
Jorasanko Thakur Bari, 1 km, Tagore’s ancestral home.
Marble Palace, 1.5 km, 1835 mansion with art.
Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda House, 2 km, cultural center.
Star Theatre, 500 meters, historic Bengali drama site.
Final Thoughts
Thanthania Kalibari in North Kolkata, West Bengal, is a holy heritage site where Siddheshwari Kali’s mighty presence, by the busy Bidhan Sarani, moves those who come, making it a place one must see among India’s sacred sites for devotees and travelers alike.
