This Kali Maa is believed to heal diseases, especially of women! Women and girls from near and far come running to Birbhum’s Nirisha Kali temple. There are a lot of miracles, stories and beliefs associated with this over 300-year-old Kali temple located in the village of Nirisha, in the Birbhum district of West Bengal.
Devoted to the goddess Kali, the temple is especially well-known in the region and attracts thousands of devotees during the annual Kali Puja. There is a belief among the locals that no one returns empty-handed from Goddess Nirisha Kali’s temple and that she bestows good fortune upon everyone.
There are countless traditional Kali temples spread in every corner of Birbhum, of which five are Satipeethas. Hidden in its nooks and crannies are various miraculous and strange stories. One of them is the story of the 300-year-old Nirisha Maa. It is said that at one time, the seat of Panchamundi was reserved for the Goddess Nirisha. She is still worshipped according to that 300-year-old custom. On the day of Kali Puja, people not only from Birbhum but also from almost all the surrounding districts flock to this temple.
How and when Birbhum’s Nirisha Kali puja began
It is said that about 300 years ago, the village of Nirisha was just a jungle. There was almost no human settlement. On a new moon night, the villagers of the surrounding villages saw a light burning in the jungle. A saint who was meditating in that jungle advised the villagers to start worshipping Goddess Kali, who he believed was the source of that light. This is how the Kali Puja began.
It is heard that in the initial years, Maa Kali was worshipped at the seat of Panchamundi inside the jungle. Now every year, an idol of the mother is made. On the day of puja, the idol is brought to the temple and worshipped with veneration.
Miracles surrounding Goddess Nirisha Kali
There are some miraculous stories surrounding this temple. For example, even though the craftsman who made the idol changes every year, the face of the Goddess Nirisha remains exactly the same! Even her idol’s height and weight does not change. People have unwavering devotion towards Nirisha Maa. Whenever the girls of this village and other areas outside have any disease, they rush to this Nirisha Maa. They believe that by making a vow here, one can get relief from diseases and ailments!
Worshipped on Kaushiki Amavasya
Kaushiki Amavasya in 2025 was observed on August 22, 2025. This auspicious day falls on the new moon (Amavasya) of the Bhadrapada month, a time significant in Tantric traditions, especially for worshipping Goddess Kali. Local people believe that Goddess Nirisha helps them in all their troubles and never returns empty-handed. On the day of Kaushiki Amavasya (August-September), the people of this region offer their devotion to Nirisha Kali as they believe she will turn their fate and remove obstacles from their journey of life!
During the Kali Puja in October-November, the deity is worshipped in a Vaisnavi, or benign form and served vegetarian food as Bhog, unlike most Kali Pujas where sacrificial meat is offered to the Goddess. This distinguishes it from other Kali temples where the goddess is revered in her fiercer aspect. The annual Kali Puja festival is a special time to visit for a vibrant religious experience, with many devotees gathering to worship and participate in rituals. The idol is immersed in a pond near the temple seven days after Kali Puja.
Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!
App Store – https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540
Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share