With Siliguri gearing up to celebrate
the 61st Independence Day with the rest of the nation, it
is edifying to remember the association of the oldest Kali
temple of the city with the glorious saga of the anti-colonial
struggle of the land.
Founded by Mukunda Das in 1924, the legendary Bengali minstrel
associated with the Struggle for Independence and others,
the ‘Anandamoyee Kali temple’ near Babupara was
also a favourite meeting place for the revolutionaries.
Adoring Kali, considered the goddess of strength in the Hindu
religion, was a common trend among the revolutionaries of
that tempestuous period. In conformity with this tradition,
Mukunda Das, while in Siliguri felt the need of a Kali temple
as a centre for the revolutionaries of the region.
At that point of time, the well-known revolutionary group
Anushilan Samity was gaining ground over the youth of north
Bengal region. Besides, another revolutionary group ‘Uttar
Banga Dal’ was coming up to challenge the might of the
colonial rulers. Mukunda Das urged the local revolutionaries
to come forward to construct a Kali Temple and before leaving
Siliguri, he assured them of his fullest assistance in the
construction work.
Accordingly, he returned to Siliguri in May that year and
performed his unique ‘musical yatra’ for three
consecutive nights at the space known as Hatkhola near the
DI Fund area. The entire amount of the collections was donated
for constructing the temple.
Taking cue from the fiery minstrel, a number of locals came
forward. A group was formed which went out wandering from
door to door-singing patriotic songs to collect fund for the
Kali temple. Even the poor people donated generously and soon
a purse of around Rs 10,000 grew. The then SDO of Siliguri,
an Anglo Indian, officially handed over the DI Fund land to
the temple committee.
The Kali temple came into being on the auspicious day of Maghi
Purnima in 1926. Mukunda Das graced the occasion with his
electrifying presence and christened the temple as Anandamoyee
Kali Temple. Besides developing into one of the major religious
centers in Siliguri, the temple also became a meeting spot
for the revolutionaries.
Courtesy: The Statesman |
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