Shree Punte Kali Mandir

Shri Punte Kali Tala located at 20, Kali Krishna Tagore Street, Burrabazar was founded about 450 years ago. According to one view, the name Punte signifies small size as the deity is of 6 inch only. Another view states that the temple was constructed by Manikram Bandyopadhyay whose descendant tantric Khelaram during homa rescued a small fish (punti maach in Bengali) from the sacrificial pyre. The permanent temple structure was erected in 1558. At that time the area was a dense jungle. The British tried to demolish the temple for road construction but lost the legal battle. The present premise was constructed in 1930. Daily worship is as per tantric rituals with occasional animal sacrifice. The Goddess is seated on an altar of 5 trees (panchabati). The deity is flanked by Maa Sitala in white stone.

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