Kolkata

Things to do in Kolkata

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Kolkata

View all Attractions
Kalighat Kali Temple
No. 6 of Best Things to Do in East Zone

Kalighat Kali Temple

4.4
4.5/5
46 reviews

The Kali Goddess Temple is located in the southwestern suburbs of Kolkata, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. Because the name of Kolkata means "the land of the goddess Kali", there are many believers and it is one of the most popular temples in Kolkata. The sacrifices here are blood sacrifices, killing sheep for blood sacrifice. Goddess Kali: The goddess of darkness and death in Hinduism, her image is terrifying, her temperament is violent and bloodthirsty, but behind it, there is a story of a great goddess who sacrificed herself to save the world. Kali is the wife of Shiva, the Hindu god of creation and destruction. She has many different faces. For example, Parvati, the snow-capped goddess, is very beautiful and kind. According to Hindu legends, one day, a demon appeared in the world. He was powerful, and for every drop of blood on the ground, there would appear a thousand incarnations as powerful as him. In order to protect the living creatures on the earth, Parvati, the goddess of the snow-capped mountains, is determined to destroy the demons. But she was afraid that the blood of the demon would drip on the ground during the battle, so she transformed into the goddess Kali and drained the blood of the demon first. Although the demon was wiped out, the goddess Kali was unable to control herself because she drank poisonous blood, and trampled the ground with her feet. So Shiva was willing to lie down at her feet so as not to hurt all beings. Therefore, the statue of Goddess Kali in Hindu temples always tramples on Shiva.

Kolkata · 6.2km from downtown

Traveller favourites curated for you

Experiences you can't miss in Kolkata

Featured Culture & history in Kolkata

View all Culture & history
Kolkata: City Highlights Guided Day Tour With Hotel Pick-up
󱌍
Duration: 7.4 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromPKR 29,530.62PKR 31,084.87
Kolkata Half-Day Private Heritage and Culture Tour
󱌍
Duration: 3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromPKR 19,632.55
Kolkata Highlights Audio Tour: Historic Icons and Cultural Heart
󱌍
Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for today
20% off
Limited-time sale
FromPKR 1,601.24PKR 2,001.55
 Kolkata Spiritual and Temple Tour — Full Day
󱌍
Duration: 3.6 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromPKR 22,904.64
Kolkata Full-Day Private Heritage and Culture Tour
󱌍
Duration: 6.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromPKR 26,176.73
Explore Kolkata: Full-Day Guided City Tour
󱌍
Duration: 5.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
9% off
Limited-time sale
FromPKR 6,478.75PKR 7,198.61
Kolkata: Night Tour with Food Tasting and Market Walk
󱌍
Duration: 1.5–4.5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
FromPKR 2,794.15
Kolkata: A Sea of Faces and A Thousand Places
󱌍
5.0/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 5–6 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
FromPKR 8,835.79

Featured Food & drink in Kolkata

View all Food & drink
Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings
󱌍
5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for today
FromPKR 11,087.15
Kolkata: Magic Hour Tour with Breakfast
󱌍
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
FromPKR 10,895.94
Kolkata Morning Culture Tour - Chasing The Sun
󱌍
5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 4.5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
FromPKR 8,391.69
Kolkata Midtown Madness - A Street Food & Nightlife Tour
󱌍
5.0/5
· 5 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
FromPKR 8,832.71

More things to do

Kolkata Today's weatherClear with poor air quality 20-31℃
Kolkata weather for the next 2 days11/8: 21-31℃, 11/9: 22-32℃

Free things to do in Kolkata

What travellers say about Kolkata

user-avatar
_TS***vd12 July 2026
5.0
Clean and lush green parks with lakes having activities like boating and cycling around the lake. Playgrounds. Great recreational space.

Eco Park

user-avatar
Cool Avinash22 May 2023
5.0
A beaitiful pillar less bridge built in tbe heart of west bengal...its a must visit place when you vist west bengal

Howrah Bridge

user-avatar
Sheda111 September 2021
4.0
Temple is situated at Dakshineswar, Built on the bank of the River Ganga, Dakshineswar Mandir creates a beautiful silhouette. Unlike many other temples of India, the Dakshineswar temple dress code is pretty relaxed. No, you don’t have to wear a dhoti, or kurta-pajama, or sari. It is a house of God, so any clothing that is not disrespectful is acceptable.some history: Dakshineswar Temple was built by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist and widow of a wealthy zamindar of Bengal. Rani Rashmoni became a devotee of Goddess Kali in her later years. She dedicated the Dakshineswar Temple to Bhabatarini, a benevolent aspect of Goddess Kali. It took about 9 years to raise this shrine and worship started in the year 1855.The star of the Dakshineswar Temple has been Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Dev. This mystic saint of Bengal functioned as the priest of the Bhabatarini shrine of Dakshineshwar in the early years of the temple’s establishment. Sri Ramakrishna has devotees all across India and abroad. They have also contributed to making Dakshineswar Temple a popular place to visit in West Bengal.You can reach here by the most convenient way which is Metro, Dakshineswar metro railways st is connected by skywalk bridge, 300m far. on the way, you can get prasad, flowers to offer.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple

user-avatar
Debojit Gurey5 September 2023
4.0
very good place spacially for children. There are lots of things related to science to explore in that place. Since my childhood every year in winter I visit that place with family or friends. my personal like is the rope way. through this you can see the bird eye view of that place which one amezing.

Science City

user-avatar
Journey Notes22 September 2021
5.0
if you come to Kolkata you must visit Victoria Memorial. The Victoria Memorial is a large marble building in Kolkata.

Victoria Memorial

user-avatar
SUJAN WARASI19 June 2019
5.0
It’s very good apps for Air ticketing, Hotel Booking and Train ticketing

Kalighat Kali Temple

user-avatar
ARAFATRAHMAN9 July 2025
5.0
I visited the Indian Museum on 23rd August 2022, and it was my very first time exploring this historic treasure-and truly, it was an amazing experience.From ancient artifacts to rare sculptures, fossils, and cultural exhibits, every section of the museum tells a fascinating story. Walking through its grand halls felt like stepping into a time machine-rich with history, knowledge, and artistic beauty. I was deeply impressed by the vast collection and the way everything was preserved and presented.As someone with a love for history and culture, this visit was both inspiring and educational. I captured some memorable photos during my tour, but the real magic is something you have to experience in person.If you’re ever in Kolkata, a visit to the Indian Museum is an absolute must. Whether you’re a curious traveler or a history enthusiast, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of South Asia’s rich heritage.

Indian Museum

Trip Moments in Kolkata

Kolkata travel guides

Popular cities near Kolkata

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Kolkata?

Don't miss these attractions in Kolkata: Eco Park, Howrah Bridge, and Dakshineswar Kali Temple. If you like Culture & history, try Kolkata: City Highlights Guided Day Tour With Hotel Pick-up. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings.

You can give Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings and Kolkata: Magic Hour Tour with Breakfast a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.