The
area under consideration has S.P. Mukherjee Road (Kalighat
Metro Station) on East, Adiganga (old Ganga River) on the
west, Kali Temple Road as the spine & Hazra Road in the
North and Rashbehari Avenue in the South
HISTORY :
Kalighat,
according to the Puranas, is one of the prehistoric 51 peethasthans
and was known by the name of Kalikhetra. The Kali Temple existed
long before the city of Kolkata was born, while the Kalika
image carved out of stone, replaced the earlier worshipped
mound called Brahma Bedi at the end of the 16th century. There
are travelogues relating to Mansingh, the Commander-in-chief
of Akbar and Hieun Tsang, the Chinese Traveller, Centre of
Mother Teresa (called Nirmal Hridaya or Pure Heart) is located
on the west side of the temple and is visited by foreigners
from all over the world.
PRESENT
CONDITION :
The
place in spite of being of much historic importance &
being an unique example of tolerance where every one is free
to enter, has organically developed into degenerated, congested
look. The people around the temple consist of devotees, pandas,
hawkers, business establishments, residents & people of
all colors & creeds. To add to the woe of congestion,
parking of Motor Vehicles including business are allowed right
outside the temple. On special occasions, the number of worshippers
overflow the area into adjacent roads creating discover.
The
visitors presently have to bathe in the small bathing ghats
at the Adiganga, which is not clean. They have no place to
rest ; none to clean themselves. There is hardly any public
convenience. There is no place to stay in the project area
for overnight accommodation.
|