A must-visit temple for Kali in twin cities

Sainikpuri: The impressive temple in this part of the city beckons devotees from afar. Its majestic looks suffused with devotional ambience fills one's heart with deep fervour. The Kalibari temple located in Vivekanandapuram in Sainikpuri is going to enter its 50's in a couple of years. The temple was founded on August 28, 1974. It is the only temple of its kind where one can see the presiding idol of goddess Kali, along with Lord Ganesh and Lord Shiva.

It was in 1971, when about six Bengali families who had settled in this colony decided to have a place of worship. A temple of Kali mata was what they planned as in those days this area was nothing but a thick jungle with very few houses. These families had a strong belief that a temple of goddess Kali will protect them and their families and bless them with prosperity.

In 1974, a foundation stone was formally laid on a big rock at the base with a photograph of goddess Kali by Swami Ranganatha Nandaji, Maharaj of Ramakrishna Math. AK Ganguli was the first priest of the temple who commenced the daily rituals in the temple.

Many prominent Bengali families who were wholehearted devotees of goddess Kali had a series of meetings and decided to name the temple as Sri Sri Kalibari mandir. During the time of inauguration, Swami Ranganatha Nandaji suggested that the colony in which the temple is located be named after Swami Vivekananda. From then on, this area has come to be known as Vivekanadapuram.

Today, there are more than 3,000 Bengali families living in the surrounding areas like RK Puram, Lal Bazar, Bolaram, Defence Colony and Sainikpuri, who frequently visit this place of worship. The major attraction of this temple is the idol of goddess kali which is well decorated. It was in the year 1976 that an idol of kali ma was made out of a single black stone, which is a replica of idol of Dakshineshwar temple in Kolkata.

Hyderabad Kalibari performs all the festivals related to Bengal including Saraswati puja and Annapurna puja. Devotees in large numbers gather on all such occasions. The Kalibari temple also runs a free school for children where Bengali is taught to them. The children take part in the social programmes which happen every year.

Swarlipi M, a resident of the area, said, "It has been around 3 years that I have been shifted to Hyderabad. I used to hear from people about this Kalibari temple. When I visited for the first time, I was just amazed seeing these young children dancing so gracefully and how extravagantly the aarti of goddess Kali was held during dussehra."

Divya D, a student of Sai Sudhir Degree College, said, "We have been staying here for the past 18 years. My grandmother used to daily visit this temple and later even I began to visit this temple regularly.

This temple for us is like a religious place as well as a place where we gather and play badminton, sing songs, dance and do other activities. It was like a daily routine for us to go to the temple every day. It feels so peaceful when we come and sit here. We feel so joyful when we get to wear our traditional and cultural dress."