×
FREE ASSISTANCE FOR THE INQUISITIVE PEOPLE
Tutorial Topics
X
softetechnologies
Burmese Buddhist Temple Japanese Buddhist Temple
Firingi Kalibari - Shrines of Calcutta
1945    Dibyendu Banerjee    15/04/2021

Goddess Kali, the chief of the Mahavidyas or the ten aspects of Parvati in Hinduism, is widely worshipped in Eastern India, especially most of the Bengalis are historically ardent worshippers of the goddess Kali, the divine mother. Apart from the famous Kalighat and Dakshineswar Kali Temples, Calcutta has many other popular and widely visited Kali temples where the idol of the goddess is regularly worshipped. The Firingi Kalibari, located at 244 Bow Bazar Street (renamed Bipin Bihari Ganguly Street) and dedicated to Siddheswari Kali, is one of such temples.

softetechnologies

Ridiculously, although the small and unimpressive temple is supposed to be 500 years old, it looks almost new due to the mindless, careless, and disastrous renovation.

firingi kalibari

Like many other old temples in the country, no recorded history of the Firingi Kalibari is available. Contrary to the belief that it was founded by a Firingi, a non-Hindu foreigner, essentially of European origin, a plaque on the outer wall of the temple suggests that it was erected in 905 Bangabda, or around 1498 AD, which makes it far older than the European settlement in the city.

softetechnologies

According to Calcutta Old and New, a historical and descriptive handbook of the city written by Sir Harry Evan Auguste Cotton, the temple was initially established by Srimanta Dom, considered to be a man of very low caste, mainly associated with the cremation of the bodies belonging to Hinduism. As he belonged to a low caste, he was not in a social position to have a Brahmin priest in his temple, so he himself used to perform the duties of the priest. At the same time, he also worshipped an idol of Goddess Sitala, a folk deity, believed to cure diseases like poxes, sores, and abscesses and used to treat and heal the patients of smallpox.

firingi kalibari

According to another legendary story, the temple was initially a Shiva temple where the idol of Kali was installed much later on Panchamundi Asan, most probably by Antony Firingi. Indeed, under the main dome of the temple, there is a Shivlinga, and the idol of Kali is quite far from it, almost at one corner of the temple. Nevertheless, the association of the temple with Anthony Firingi is well known. Anthony, a Portuguese, was born as Hensman Anthony and arrived in Bengal sometime in the early 19th century.

softetechnologies

Gradually, he became deeply influenced by the Bengali culture and language, embraced Hinduism, and married a Hindu Brahmin widow named Saudamini. Soon he established himself as a kabial, proficient in kabigan, a verbal duel, wherein folk poets sing and perform. He also became a devotee of goddess Kali and composed several devotional songs.

firingi kalibari

The Firingi Kalibari is located in a busy and crowded area of the city. The outside walls of the modest structure of the temple are now clad in marble, and the name of the temple is carved in metal. There are also two marble plaques indicating the name, assumed date of foundation, and the address of the temple.

firingi kalibari

There are three entrances to the main sanctum sanctorum of the temple, housing the main deity of goddess Kali on Lord Shiva, along with the smaller idols of goddess Sitala, goddess Manasa, and a Shivalinga, an abstract or aniconic representation of Lord Shiva. Although the temple is well maintained and clean, most of the people have to pray or pay respect from outside, due to insufficient space inside the temple.

Burmese Buddhist Temple Japanese Buddhist Temple
softetechnologies
Author Details
Dibyendu Banerjee
Ex student of Scottish Church College. Served a Nationalised Bank for nearly 35 years. Authored novels in Bengali. Translated into Bengali novels/short stories of Leo Tolstoy, Eric Maria Remarque, D.H.Lawrence, Harold Robbins, Guy de Maupassant, Somerset Maugham and others. Also compiled collections of short stories from Africa and Third World. Interested in literature, history, music, sports and international films.
Enter New Comment
Comment History
No Comment Found Yet.
Albert Einstein
The only source of knowledge is experience.
Albert Einstein
513
56.43
Today So Far
Total View (Lakh)
softetechnologies
26/05/2018     43328
01/01/2018     36386
25/06/2018     35155
28/06/2017     34478
02/08/2017     32896
01/08/2017     27379
06/07/2017     27148
15/05/2017     26767
14/07/2017     22384
21/04/2018     21022
softetechnologies