Kalkaji Temple, also known as Kalkaji Mandir, is
dedicated to Devi Kalka, one of the various embodiments of Goddess
Durga. This temple prides itself on an existence of about 3000 years.
However the oldest surviving portion of it dates to 1764 -1771 when the
Marathas were in power and Shah Alam, then Mughal ruler of Delhi, was a
mere dummy king acting upon their will. The temple stands on a hill and
looks marvelous when lit in the evening. Though prayers are held four
times a day but the special Tantric Aarti at 7 in the evening is a must
watch.
Location
Kalkaji Temple is situated beyond the commercial complex of East Nehru
Place, South Delhi just opposite Lotus Temple.
Brief History
Kalkaji Temple stands on a hill. The temple was built in the middle of
18th century and the oldest portion of the existing temple dates back to
1764. In the middle of the 19th century, Raja Kedarnath, Peshkar of
Emperor Akbar II made certain changes and additions to the temple. It is
believed that the original temple was used by the Pandavas and Kauravas
to worship Goddess Kali.
Legend
Bathing Goddess Kali everyday with pure milk and other holy items and
then draping her with a bright red brocade sari is a ritual here. A
legend has it that a cow used to come here and discharged all her milk
over the holy stone. Gradually when the cow's master, a farmer,
understood what was happening, he erected a temple to honor the deity.
Since then Kali is bathed with fresh and pure milk. The stone
representing the Goddess Kali is housed in a twelve-sided building.
During Navratras
The entire temple is made up of white marble and black granite tiles
and the usual number of worshippers is a few hundred every day. The
backside of the temple has a Dharamshala or a rest house which has been
built with the help of donations given to the temple. The Kalkaji Temple
in Delhi is decked up like a bride during Navratras and extra police
force is deployed to check miscreants and control the crowed of almost
two million. The pomp and show is such that many leading news channels
come to cover the proceedings. People should be careful here since a lot
of pick-pocketeers frequent the area in hope to 'earn' something.
