DAKSHINAKALI TEMPLE

Apart from Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri is also famous for its Sakta temples. In Puri there are several temples dedicated to Sakta deities such as Varahi, Ramachandi, Bhubanesvari, Harachandi, Daksina Kali, Shyamakali, etc. There is a small temple dedicated to goddess Kali at Bali Sahi. This temple is known as Dakshinakali Temple. It is situated towards the south-eastern side of the Lord Jagannath Temple on Bali sahi. Tourists can approach the temple by using the road leading towards Swargadwar from Singhadwar (Lion's Gate) of Lord Jagannath Temple, on the left side of this road there is a diversion to Kalikadevi lane. After enetring this lane you can find this temple on the right side. Tourists come to visit Lord Jagannatha temple, also visit the this temple.

The presiding deity is Goddess Kali. The deity is Chatrubhuja (four-armed) and seated on a corpse. The image Dakshina Kali is made of black chlorite. It measures approximately 1.5 feet in height and 1 foot in width. Here goddess Dakshina Kali is four-armed and seated on a corpse. She displays khadga in upper right hand, akshamala in lower right hand, pana patra in upper left hand and a cutting or severed head in lower left hand respectively. The pedestal of Devi is decorated with a lion figure. She (presiding deity) is installed on the simhasana of 1.5 feet high.

Structure and Architecture

The deity is enshrined in a modern temple at a higher raised platform from the road level. Daksina Kali Temple is facing towards east. It is a small temple consists of four structures such as vimana, jagamohana, natamandapa and bhogamandapa. The vimana and jagamohana were constructed in the same period but the natamandapa and bhogamandapa are added at a later period. All these structures are erected on the platform of 10 feet high from the road level. This temple is built in both sand stones and bricks.

The height of the vimana is about 30 feet from the road level. The three side central niches of the vimana are housed with parsvadevata images of Nrusimhi, Ganesha and Varahi. They are fashioned with as usual attributes in hands. These parsvadevata images are made of black chlorite. The sanctum has one doorway towards the jagamohana.

The height of the jagamohana (mukhasala) is about 25 feet from the road level. Inner walls of the mukhasala are completely plain. The doorway of the jagamohana is unornamented. The height of the Natamandapa is about 22 feet from the road level. Inner walls of the natamandapa are depicted with paintings of pancha mukhi (five faced) Ganesha, Varaha Lakshmi, Siddheswari, Shiva, Krishna, Kali, Mangala, Bagala, Shyamakali, Jaya Durga, Vana Durga, Ugra Tara, Narayani and Saraswati. Lion is installed on the centre of the floor of natamandapa. It has one doorway towards the bhogamandapa.

The height of the bhogamandapa is about 30 feet. The outer as well as inner walls of the bhogamandapa are devoid of decorative ornamentations. The entire temple complex is enclosed by a masonry wall of 25 feet in height. There is only one gateway in the northern side of the temple. Two lions are installed on both sides of the main gateway of the temple.

Festivals and Rituals

Festivals like Kali Puja, Deepavali, Durga Puja, Kumara Purnima, Chaitra Mangalabara, etc. are observed in Dakshina kali Temple with great devotion. On the auspicious day of Kali puja thousands of devotees visit the temple to offer their prayer to Goddess Kali to get her blessings.

Dakshina Kali Temple has important religious associations with Jagannath Temple and it is believed that Daksinakali is the guardian of the kitchen of the Lord Jagannath Temple. Puranic tradition says that in Puri, Lord Jagannath is regarded as Daksinakalika. Goddess Dakshinakali plays an important role in the Niti of Saptapuri Amavasya.

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