Kalkaji Mandir

Kalkaji Mandir is a famous Hindu mandir or temple, dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali. The temple is situated on the southern part of Delhi, India, in Kalkaji, a locality that has derived its name from this famous temple itself and is located opposite Nehru Place business centre. The temple is easily accessible by all forms of public transport and is near Bus Terminus-Nehru Place and Railway Station-Okhla. The general belief is that the image of the Goddess Kalka here is a self-manifested one, and that the shrine dates back to the Satya Yuga when the Goddess Kalika had incarnated and killed the demon Raktabija along with other giant demons. Kalka or Kalkaji Mandir is amongst the oldest and the most reverend ancient temples of India. The temple is dedicated to goddess Kalka or Kali, an incarnation of Durga. It is also called ‘Jayanti Peetha’ or ‘Manokamna Siddha Peetha’. ‘Manokamna’ literally means the desire, ‘Siddha’ means fulfillment, and ‘Peetha’ means shrine. Thus, it is believed to be the holy shrine where one gets the blessings of Maa Kalika Devi (Goddess or Mother Kalika) for the fulfillment of one’s desires. The temple complex is situated on Kalkaji Mandir, in between the Nehru Place bus terminus & business center and Okhla railway station & industrial area, and is right beside the famous Bahá’í Lotus Temple. Close by to the temple, on a hill in the East of Kailash neighbourhood and near the ISKCON temple, lays an Edict of the Ashoka, dating 3rd century BC. Devotees attend the Kalkaji temple throughout the year, but the culmination point of their prayers and celebration comes during the festival of Navratri which is twice a year. This is a nine-day Hindu festival, in spring and autumn during which a large fair is organized here. Devotees gather and sing various hymns and songs praising Goddess Durga.