Kalka Mandir, Delhi

Kalkaji Mandir is a famous Hindu temple, dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali.This temple is situated  in the southern part of Delhi. It lies just a kilometre away from Nehru Place which is a famous commercial centre and known as the electronics hub of Delhi.

Kalkaji Mandir is amongst the oldest and the most revered ancient temples of India. The temple is dedicated to goddess Kalka or Kali, an incarnation of Durga. It is also called 'Jayanti Peetha' or 'Manokamna Siddha Peetha'. 'Manokamna' literally means desire, 'Siddha' means fulfillment, and 'Peetha' means shrine. So, it is believed to be the holy shrine where one gets the blessings of Maa Kalika Devi (Goddess or Mother Kalika) for the fulfillment of one's desires.

History :

According to the Government records, the temple of Kalkaji is said to have a very ancient origin, but the oldest portions of the present building is believed to have been constructed not earlier than the 1764 AD by the Maratha rulers. In 1816 A.D. Mirza Raja Kidar Nath, the Peshkar of Akbar II, is said to have made some additions to it. Over the last five to six decades, a considerable number of dharamshalas have been erected in the vicinity by the Hindu bankers and merchants of Delhi place. It is said that Baba Balak Nath of Nath Sampradaya, i.e. the Kanpata Yogis (who have rings pierced in the ears) visited this holy place hundreds of years ago. He is believed to have had the darshan of Goddess Kalika who asked him to stay here and get the temple reconstructed, which by then was completely ruined due to neglect. From that time onwards the yogis of Nath Sampradaya have been serving the Goddess and are enthroned as Mahant. Baba Sandhya Nath, Baba Sahaja Nath, Mahant Prithvi Nath, Mahant Rama Nath are remembered with great respect. They were renowned yogis of their time empowered with special spiritual powers and visions.

LEGEND :

"Millions of years ago, the gods who dwelt in the neighbourhood of the present temple were troubled by two giants and were compelled to prefer their complaint to Lord Brahma, 'the god of all'.

But Lord Brahma declined to interfere, and referred them to the goddess Parvati. Out of the mouth of Maa Parvati sprung Kaushki Devi, who attacked the two giants and slaughtered them, but it so happened, that as their blood fell on the dry earth thousands of giants came into life, and the battle was maintained by Kaushki Devi against great odds.

Maa Parvati took compassion on her offspring and out of the eyebrows of Kaushki Devi came the monster Kali Devi, 'whose lower lip rested on the hills below and the upper lip touched the sky above. She drank the blood of the slaughtered giants as it poured out of their wounds; and the goddess obtained a complete victory over their enemies.

Maa Kali Devi then fixed her abode here, and she was worshipped as the chief divinity of the place.

It is believed that the Goddess Kalkaji, pleased with the prayers offered and rituals performed by the Gods on the advice of Lord Brahma, appeared on this mount, known as Surya Koota Parvata, and blessed them. Ever since, the Goddess took this holy place as her abode and has been fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. During the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna and the Pandavas are said to have worshipped this Goddess during the reign of Yudhisthir.

TEMPLE  TIMINGS :

OPENING TIME OF THE TEMPLE

04.00 a.m.

CLOSING TIME

11.30 p.m.

AARTI - PRAYERS

Morning :

06.00 - 7.30 a.m. (Winter)

05.00 - 6.30 a.m. (Summer)

Evening :

06.30 - 8.00 p.m. (Winter)

07.00 - 8.30 p.m. (Summer)

(Note :The Actual Timings of Aarti May Vary )

The Temple Remains Closed during :

11.30- 12.00 p.m. Everyday

For Offering of PRASADA (Food) to the

Deity MAA KALIKA

03.00 - 4.00 p.m. Everyday For Cleaning Etc.

FESTIVALS :

 In Spring and Autumn during which a large fair is organized here. Devotees gather and sing various hymns and songs praising Goddess Durga. Navratri is also celebrated with great fan fare, Millions of devotees visit this temple during Festive Seasons.

The atmosphere around the temple is airy and bright with lights which stay during the whole night. Devotees also try to meditate there and a tantric aarti is held in the evening.

BY BUS :

Buses can be taken from the three Inter State Bus Terminuses (ISBT), at Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar, as well as many starting points in and around the city.

BY TRAIN : 

Nearest Metro Station From Kalkaji Temple is Delhi Central Secretariat.