PM Modi visits 300-year-old Kalibari temple in Kolkata known for non-veg prasad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at Kolkata's Thanthania Kalibari on Sunday, a 300-year-old temple known for its rare tradition of offering non-vegetarian prasad, before heading for a roadshow in the city.

The visit put the spotlight on one of Kolkata's oldest shrines, where Maa Kali is worshipped as Maa Siddheshwari and where unique rituals continue to draw devotees.

Thanthania Kalibari is among the few temples in India where non-vegetarian prasad is offered to the deity.

This tradition traces back to Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who once offered 'dab-chingri' to Maa Siddheshwari while praying for the recovery of Brahmananda Keshav Chandra Sen.

Since then, the ritual has continued. Devotees also followed the practice when Ramakrishna fell ill during his stay at Shyamapukur, offering non-veg prasad while praying for his recovery.

A TEMPLE OLDER THAN THE CITY

Established in 1703, Thanthania Kalibari predates the formal development of Kolkata. The temple is dedicated to Maa Siddheshwari, a form of Kali worshipped here as a 'Jagrat' deity, believed to be ever-awake and responsive to devotees' prayers.

The shrine continues to attract large numbers of devotees and remains deeply woven into the city's spiritual identity.

LINK TO RAMAKRISHNA PARAMAHANSA

The temple has a strong association with Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who is believed to have frequently visited and offered devotional hymns to Maa Siddheshwari.

An inscription inside the temple carries his words: "Shankarer hridoy majhe, Kali biraje" — meaning Maa Kali resides within the heart of Shankar.

VISIT BEFORE ROADSHOW

PM Modi's visit to the temple came ahead of his roadshow in North Kolkata, adding a religious dimension to his political outreach in the poll-bound state.

The stop at Thanthania Kalibari, with its deep historical roots and distinct traditions, placed the spotlight on Kolkata's enduring spiritual heritage even as the political campaign gathered pace.

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