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Turning towards the left of Dunlop Junction, a few steps ahead on the P.W.D Road,
lies Dakshineshwar Railway Station. Turn towards left after crossing the station and you reach the main archportal of the Temple. Beside the temple,
the Vivekananda Setu hangs over the river
Ganga quite majestically.
The construction of the temple started in 1847. Queen Rasmani the
renowned queen of
Janbazar, had founded this temple. It is believed that she was instructed by Goddess Kali in
her dream to construct this temple.
The construction work was completed in 1855. It cost an estimated
Rs. 9 lakhs of which, Rs. 2 lakhs was spent on the day of inauguration. The temple and its adjoining areas stand on 25 acres of land. Queen Rasmani purchased the required land
from some Mr.
Hasti.
The Ganga (Hooghly River) flows beside the temple. 12 Shiva temples, six on either side of the eastern
entrance of the main temple stand enmasse. There is a sort of courtyard
behind the Shiva temple. Here stands the main temple in situ.
Everyday, the mother Goddess is worshipped here with ardent fervour and pomp. Sri Ramkrishna
Paramhansa used to meditate here and attained salvation in this sacrosanct place. The first priest
appointed for this sacred work was
Ramkumar, the sibling of Ramakrishna. Ramakrishna took charge after the demise of
Ramkumar.
Stalwarts like Vivekananda, Girish Ghose and men of their ilk
called on Ramakrishna at this place. Sri Ramakrishna used to stay in a chamber at the right of the main entrance of the
temple. His commodities are still preserved in this room. By the side of the
Ganga, outside the temple, stands the 'Panchavati' tree, (a
cluster of 5 banyan trees). This is the sacred place where Sri Ramakrishna used to meditate and performed severe penances sitting on the
'Panchamundi (5 skulls)
Ashana' – a custom which is mandatory for the 'Tantrika' form of
worship. There are umpteen shops on both sides of the main entrance of the temple. The whole ambience with
the arboreta is absolutely ethereal.
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