Kalkaji Mandir

The Kalkaji Temple dedicated to goddess of Hindu religion, Kali. The temple is much older than the era of Mahabharta. It is situated in Kalkaji society of southern part of Delhi. The society also derived its name from the famous temple and lies opposite to the Nehru Place Business Centre. The nearest metro station and the Bus Terminus are Kalkaji mandir and Nehru Place respectively. It is supposed that the idol of the main deity is a self-manifested one which aggravates the faith of the devotees manifolds. Another story associated to this ancient temple is that this house of god dates back to Sat Yuga, which is marked by the event when Goddess Kalika incarnated and terminated the demon Raktabija along with fellow evil demons.

The Mandir is also known for the wish fulfillment belief that hovers here. It is believed that with the unconditional faith of the visitors on Maa Kali, ones desires get fulfilled. This is also the reason why the temple is known as 'Jayanti Peetha' or 'Manokamna Siddha Peetha'. The temple is situated near to an Edict of Ashoka of the 3rd century BC located on a hill in the East of Kailash.

Devotees can visit the Kalkaji temple on any day throughout the year. However, the peak point at which maximum visitation is witnessed is during the Hindu festival that longs for a period of nine days and which comes twice a year also known as Navrati. This festival is celebrated with a great pomp and show in the temple as a huge fair is organized here along with which devotees gather to please kali Maa, avatar of Durga, by singing various hymns and songs in admiration.

Goddess Durga
The most important ritual which is being prevailed here since very long is offering and bathing the idol with milk twice a day which is then followed by Arti that is performed twice in a day i.e. at 6 AM in the morning and 7:30 PM in the evening. After the Arti, devotees recite hymn in order to please Kali Devi with the best they can. Offerings are available for the visitors at the entrance of the temple itself.

The major ritual consists of offering and bathing the idol (Mata Snanam) with milk followed by an Aarti every morning (6 AM) and evening (7:30 PM). This, in turn, is followed by hymns. Visitors should not carry expensive items or even their wallet with them as a lot of pickpockets find pick pocketing as their only source of income. On a monthly basis, prayers are offered to Kali Maa by Pujaris who have succeeded 4 main clans (Thulas) of Brahmin pujaris and one clan of Jogis/Mahants. Moreover, the temple remains lighted 24 hours. A lot of meditators find condolence here owing to the positive ambience of this temple.