kalibari Mandir khirni bagh Shahjahanpur

Kalibari temple of Khirnibagh is the center of faith.

Shahjahanpur: Kalibari temple located in Khirnibagh locality of the city is the center of faith of Hindus. It is no less than a pilgrimage site for the people of Bengali society. Every Navratri, a huge crowd of devotees gather here. People come here not only from the city but also from the surrounding areas to see the Durga Puja. A grand pavilion of the Goddess is decorated for four days, in which Maa Durga along with other idols are installed. The experience of attending the special aarti held in the morning and evening is different in itself. Bengali Pandits also worship the idols prepared by the sculptors who came from West Bengal.

South facing statue is installed

The idol of Mother Kali is mainly installed in the temple. This proven statue of Goddess Kali facing south was established in 1923 by Pt. Radhika Prasad Chakraborty of Bengali community working in OCF. In fact, in 1920, after having a dream, he had established Mata here in the form of a Kalash. After this the fame of this place started spreading. There was a garden of Khirni trees in this area. It was cut down by the British in 1927 after the Kakori incident.

Durga Puja started in 1933

Durga Puja Committee Chairman Hemant Dey says that Khirnibagh Ramlila started in 1932. In Ramayana, there is an incident of Lord Ram worshiping Mother Durga before killing Ravana. Therefore, Durga Puja started in the temple in 1933. From then till today, before killing Ravana in Ramlila, Lord Ram takes blessings by worshiping the idol of Durga Devi installed here during Navratri.

On these days, rituals like Mundan of children, Annaprashan etc. are performed here.

Every wish of the devotees is fulfilled in Kalibari temple. During Durga Puja, whoever wishes with a true heart, his mother fulfills his wish.