Kalkaji Mandir Delhi: 5 Lesser-Known Facts About This Ancient Goddess Kali Temple

Kalkaji Mandir Delhi: The famous Kalkaji Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Situated in Kalkaji, South Delhi, the neighbourhood bears the temple's name. One of Delhi's famous Hindu temples is Kalkaji Mandir. It is believed that those who worship Goddess Kali succeed in all their endeavours. As a result, they call Kalkaji Mandir "Jayanti Peetha" and "Manokamana Sidha Peetha." Let us check out 5 lesser-known facts about this magnificent temple. 

Kalkaji Temple: Lesser-Known Facts About This Ancient Temple 

1. Once Demolished By Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb 

The sixth Mughal emperor Aurangzeb governed the Indian subcontinent for approximately half a century. He believed that he owned everyone and everything in his domain and that he could do anything he pleased. In an attempt to establish Islam more forcefully, he issued an order to destroy the temple, as he intended to do with many other Hindu structures. At his command, portions of this temple were destroyed. Following Aurangzeb’s death in the 18th century, the temple was reconstructed into its current configuration. Since then, the temple has undergone several reconstructions and renovations, but some areas, like the Hawan section, have remained unaltered.

Kalkaji temple is one of the famous and ancient goddess Kali temple located in South Delhi. (Image Source: Instagram)

2. Only Temple To Stay Open During Solar Eclipse

 Since it is deemed inauspicious, almost all temples are shuttered during an eclipse. Devotees are prohibited from entering temples during certain periods because the gods' idols are covered. The Kalkaji Mandir is special, though, because it remains open even during an eclipse. Additionally, Kalkaji Temple has more visitors on these days because other temples are closed at this time. This is explained by Surendra Nath Avdhut, a well-known Mahant of the temple. He claims that there are nine planets and twelve zodiacs, all of which are found within Maa Kali's shrine and live there as her sons. Thus, there's no reason to divide those two apart. The goddess of doomsday, Mata Kali, is more powerful than the actual apocalypse. The temple's doors are therefore open to devotees till beyond midnight.

3. Dates History Back To Mahabharat Era

In 1764 AD, the Kalkaji Mandir was constructed. The Pandavas travelled and constructed five temples after emerging victorious in the Battle of Kurukshetra, according to the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Among them was this temple. They prayed in this shrine, and it gave them the strength, fervour, and fortitude to fight to the best of their abilities. It was therefore thought that anyone who came to pray at the Kalkaji Mandir would succeed in all of their future attempts and that all of their desires would be fulfilled. 

4. Self-Manifested Temple

According to a popular local legend, the current location of the temple is said to be the birthplace of the goddess Kalki. During Satyug, one of the four Yugas in Hinduism, millions of years ago, two wicked demons started upsetting the gods that resided close to the temple site. The god of all gods, Lord Brahma, received a complaint from these unsettled gods. However, Lord Brahma declined to become involved in this matter and advised them to approach the goddess Parvati for assistance. When they did, goddess Kaushaki (also known as Kaushaki Devi) materialised from the mouth of goddess Parvati. 

She invaded and killed these enormous beasts, but in the process, their blood spilled on the earth's surface, creating hundreds more of the same kind. With all of these giants, Kaushaki Devi was going to have a tough struggle. Goddess Parvati became nostalgic for the child she had given birth to upon witnessing this, and the celestial Kalki Devi materialised from Kaushaki Devi's eyebrows. Her upper lip reached to the sky above, while her lower lip was positioned on the hill below. She immediately drank the blood that was squeezing out of all these giants' enormous wounds. This is how she defeated every one of her adversaries. She then proclaimed this place to be her home and became an indigenous deity, being revered to this day.

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5. Famous For Mundan Ceremony 

One of the sixteen Hindu sacraments is the mundan rite, which involves a child's first-ever haircut. These hairs are thought to be the undesirable remnants of a previous life. There are specific rituals performed in this mundan ceremony that may not be accessible in every temple. However, the shrine of Kalkaji volunteers to do it.  

(Disclaimer: This is based on general public information. Jagran English does not confirm its veracity. Before adopting any measures, consult an expert from the relevant field.)