South Bishnupur in Mandirbazar CD block in the Diamond Harbour subdivision of the South 24 Parganas district in Bengal is famous for a Karunamoyee Kali temple and kali puja which has a holy history and eerie presence of Goddess Kali.
The Tale of Karunamoyee Kali Temple
It was about three hundred years ago. In the jungle adjacent
to the Dakshin Bishnupur cremation ground in the ancient Mandirbazar, the
tantric Manilal Chakraborty started the Kali Puja. After receiving a divine
command in a dream (swapnadesh), he began worshipping the Goddess by building a
temple with a tiled roof. However, the puja was only held once a year at that
time. Later, when Mother Kali expressed her wish for daily worship in a dream,
a permanent temple for the Mother was constructed.
The Temple's Construction
The temple was built by offering 108 human skulls, and in
front of it was the five-skull seat (panchamunda asana). Even now, upon
entering the temple, 108 human skulls can be seen behind the Goddess. Since
then, the compassionate Kali, Karunamoyee Kali, has been worshipped. Even
today, 108 hibiscus flowers are offered to the 108 human skulls after bathing
them in the Ganges.
The Worship Tradition
Even today, thousands of people come to see this idol on the
day of Kali Puja. Worship here follows the Tantra tradition. Although human
skulls were once offered, the practice of animal sacrifice is strictly
prohibited in this puja now. Instead, on Kali Puja, raw meat, chickpeas, and
liquor are offered to the Dakini and Yogini spirits. A special offering (bhog)
is also made for the jackals.
The Haunted Cremation Ground
Centuries ago, Shava Sadhana (worship performed sitting on a corpse) was practiced here.