Maa Kali, also known as Kalika or Kaalratri, is the Adi Parashakti who is considered to be the mother of all beings and creatures. She is mostly portrayed in 2 forms, the usual 4-armed Kali and the 10-armed Maha Kali. Also, the Maha Vidyas have originated from Maa Kali, read what it is, further…
It is originally a group of 10 Tantric Goddesses, each of whom represents a different aspect of Maa Parvati. Maa Kali is also regarded as the Goddess of time, destruction, and power, one who protects the innocent and destroys the evil fiercely, and has been the highest of all in tantric vidyas. Know which Kali Temples in India are the most popularly known.
Kolkata’s Kalighat Temple, one of the most famous Kali temples in India, is one among the 51 Shaktipeethas, mark the spot where Maa Sati’s right toe is believed to have fallen. It’s the centre of Kali pujan in India which is always alive with rituals, chants, & deep devotion. Bhakts come here for strength, healing, & protection, specific tactics are also practised here, rooted in Tantra, Bhakti (devotion), and traditional Hindu rituals.
Located in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, Chamunda Devi Temple worships the form of Kali that destroyed the asuras- Chanda and Munda. This Kali Temple blends natural serenity with divine energy, and a visit here is believed to cleanse sins and remove obstacles from the visitor’s life. Being one of the powerful Kali temples in India, you can feel Chamunda Devi’s intensified, fierce energy.
This temple was constructed by Rani Rashmoni in the 19th century on the banks of the Hooghly River and is related to Saint Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. The idol of Maa Kali is different from other Kali temples; she has four hands, and one foot is on Shiva, who is lying down straight, representing femininity over masculinity.
The Kripamayee Kali Temple is a lesser-known yet powerful Kali Maa temple in India, located in Baranagar, Kolkata, which is dedicated to “Kripamayee”, or the merciful form of Kali, and was built in 1848. Unlike her fierce manifestations, this temple celebrates Kali’s kindness and grace; the peaceful surroundings and simple architecture attract those looking for inner peace and divine compassion.
The spiritual powerhouse of Kali worship in Warangal, Kerala, Shree Bhadrakali Devaswom Temple honours Bhadrakali, a fierce and protective form of Kali, believed to bless devotees with prosperity and victory over enemies. The temple is known for its vibrant festival, Bharani Utsava, which showcases the cultural depth of Kali worship.
One of the oldest and most powerful Kali temples in India, located in Delhi, Kalka Devi Temple is dedicated to Kalka which is believed to have been visited by the Pandavas. It stands as an important site for devotees nowadays, and becomes a spiritual hub attracting lakhs of worshippers during Navratri. Kalka Devi Temple is known for fulfilling all the wishes & removing negative energies.
One of the most powerful Shaktipeethas in India, the pinnacle of Kali worship, Kamakhya Devi Temple, unlike other temples, does not have a traditional idol but a yoni-shaped statue symbolizing female power and fertility. It’s the favourite choice of tantra practitioners, where it hosts the famous Ambubachi Mela, celebrating the goddess’s menstruation cycle. The Kamakhya Temple embodies the fierce yet creative force of the divine feminine in its purest form.
Tarapith Temple is deeply associated with tantric practices. Located in West Bengal, it honours goddess Tara, the mother of the universe; considered sacred in Tibetan Buddhism as well, the temple is known well for its cremation ground rituals, intense spiritual vibrations, and association with the sage Bamakhepa. As one of the top Kali temples to visit, it is especially revered for its mystical energy and powerful spiritual experiences.
The magnificent Baitala Deula Temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is dedicated to Goddess Chamunda, the aggressive form of Maa Kali, is also famous for its Khakhra-style architecture that shows the South Indian Gopurams. The temple exhibits a distinctive fusion of early Kalinga art and tantric photography, and the skeletal features represented inside the goddess show changeover and devastation over time.
Shakti Peethas are holy sites where parts of Goddess Sati’s body are believed to have fallen making them the power spots of divine feminine energy, whereas Kali temples are specific to the worship of Goddess Kali in her various forms. Not all Kali temples are Shaktipeethas, but the two- Kalighat and Kamakhya Temples, are shaktipeeths. Both serve as profound centres for Kali worship in India, but differ in mythological origins.