Fair & Festivals of West Bengal Part- IX

KALIGHAT FAIR

Kalighat near the Kolkata is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers in India. The center dates back to pre – thirteenth century period. It was Ballal Sen a sena ruler of Bengal who established this centre. Kalighat finds mention even in Vipradasa’s Manasamangal as well as Kankana’s Chandi. Now Kalighat is widely known throughout the length and breadth of India. It is a place which is worshipped and attended to by thousands of devotees everyday. The degree of popularity gauged from the fact that daily offerings received here weigh about 320 pounds of Rice, 24 pounds of sugar, 40 pounds of sweets, 10 pounds of flour about 800 Bananas and least 42 – 50 he – Buffaloes and he – goats. This is about ordinary days. 

Kalighat Mandir at night.