Seat of Power: The Sacred Dakshin Kali Temple

Considered as the centre of worship for a happy and prosperous life, the Dakshin Kali temple is said to have powers that can even turn death. Those who pray to Goddess Dakshin Kali of this temple, will have good fortune and a successful life, free from diseases, illness and injuries.

The temple is located amidst Nilgiri hills with river Ganga flowing in its lap in Haridwar. It is said that this type of famed Dakshin Kali temple is located only in 2 places in India, 1 at Kolkata and 1 in Haridwar. Special pooja is done during Navratrey festival to appease the goddess. ‘Bhairav’ a version of lord Shiva, himself guards this temple. The temple is located above a Kund, said to possess special powers. According to stories of local people, Goddess Dakshin Kali devotee and follower of lord Shiva from Kolkata, Guru Kaamraj took out the goddess’s deity from scared chamber and set it up on Neel Parvat. Since then, the idol has been present in this temple and has been fulfilling wishes of her devotees.

Guru Kaamraj stayed at this temple for about 700 years and prayed to Goddess Dakshin Kali. He also gave religious preaching to Aalha’s wife, and had given an omen that only yogis will be able to bath in famed Kund. People other than yogis who take bath in this kund, shall never return. Hundreds of devotees visit the temple every day, but on Saturdays special pooja is done to appease Goddess Dakshin Kali. They believe that the kind of peace and strength they get during Navratrey, can’t be found anywhere else; and their wishes get fulfilled without even asking goddess. Her disciples are of the opinion that this temple is a seat of power and those who come to the temple during Navratrey get special blessings of goddess Dakshin Kali, after they offer religious offerings and prayers to her. Due to this reason, this temple is known all over the world.

A special Yagna is also held on 8th Navratrey night or ‘Ashtami’. The temple is set over 33 acre land of Chandi ghaat and is currently presided over by 71st Peethadheeshwar Shrimahant Kailashanand Brahmachari. There are also food farms, cow-shed, home for elderly, hospital, School of Vedas, and a place for yogis who keep doing rituals and religious prayers to Goddess Kali. Devotees carry out religious rituals to get their wishes fulfilled throughout the year, especially during 4 Navratrey that include hidden and open ones. All those staying in the temple premises celebrate the birthday of its founder Baba Kaamraj on every Jyestha Shukla Saptami. During Shraavan Maas, a maha-rudrabhishek of the shivling present in the temple, is done every day.

The Kund present just below the temple is also known as ‘Mechala Kund’, named after Aahla’s wife Mechala; who used to take bath in this kund every day when she was learning under the aegis of Baba Kaamraj. The kund maintains never-ending water till date and when Britishers failed to measure its depth, they took out a canal from it and made a barrage over it, known as ‘Gangnahar’. The present day Har ki Paidi are the waters that were brought out of Gangnahar.

Goddess Dakshin Kali has been fulfilling the wishes of her devotees since the time of Guru Kaamraj, who set the temple centuries before; and her power protects all her followers.

Jai Maa Kali