The Unique Chinese Kali Temple in Kolkata is a multiethnic haven of faith

West Bengal’s cosmopolitan metropolis, Kolkata, is a cultural melting pot. The Chinese Kali Temple, which combines Chinese veneration with old Hindu rituals, is one very intriguing example. Tucked away in the heart of Tangra, Kolkata’s Chinatown, this wayside temple provides an utterly unique experience.

Chinatown in Kolkata originated when Chinese laborers were brought to the city by a sugar refinery in the late 1700s. Following the closure of the plant, these immigrants made the city their home and ultimately formed Chinatowns in the east (Tangra, the modern Chinatown) and center of the city. The history of the Chinese Kali Mandir dates back over 60 years. There is a story of a Chinese kid who became sick and recovered miraculously after his parents prayed at an altar by the side of the road honoring Kali. They constructed a temple as a token of thanks, promoting a special blending of Chinese and Hindu values. The present shape of the temple, which is still centered on the tree and the two black stones underneath it, was built by the villagers around thirty years ago.

The Chinese Kali Temple is modest, yet it has a charm of its own. A multilingual sign at the entrance, written in both Chinese and English, boldly announces the location as the “Chinese Kali Temple.” Inside are framed pictures of Hindu deities, a magnificent ceiling with a Chinese dragon and phoenix, and the main statue of Goddess Kali. Every day, devotees flock to the temple, which features a bengali pujari. Many of them burn paper candles and Chinese incense sticks in sacrificial remembrance. However, the shrine takes on distinctive colors, particularly during the celebrations of Chinese New Year, Diwali, and Kali Puja, which showcase this district’s diverse cultural heritage.

Still, the most remarkable feature of the temple is the assortment of unusual gifts made to Kali. Here, in a wonderful homage to the temple’s Chinese past, you’ll discover bowls of noodles and chop suey instead of the typical Hindu gifts of flowers and sweets.