Devi kali-maa of kalighat

Kalimaa temple at Kalighat in Kolkatta is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peethams of India. This is the site where the toes of the right foot of Shakti Gatyayani fell. (refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story) Kaali is regarded as the destroyer of evil and liberator of the soul. She is depicted in a fearful form. Despite the terrifying look she delivers bliss to worshippers. She is the conqueror of time. The Kalighat temple attracts numerous devotees throughout the year.
Legend has it that a devotee saw a ray of light coming from the Bhagirathi river bed. He found its source was a piece of stone in the form of a human toe and started worshipping it as Kaali in the midst of the forest. This shrine grew to its present form over a period of time. There are references in 15th century texts to the kaali temple though in its present form it is only about 200 years old.
Kali Maa is another form of Devi Durga. She was created by 'Kowsiki' (incarnation of Parvathi) to fight the demons Sumba and Nisumba who were tormenting the gods and men.

In the epic battle between Devi Durga and the Demons Kali-maa was created to kill 'Raktha-beeja' the Commander of the forces of Sumba and Nisumba. Raktha-beeja had obtained a boon from Brahma that if anyone tried to kill him and in the process any blood from his body was spilt on the ground from every drop of the blood one new Raktha-beeja would emerge. Accordingly when devi Durga tried to kill the demon from his blood arose 100s of Raktha-beejas. So Kowsiki Devi created Kaali and asked her to drink every drop of the blood that came out from the body of Raktha-beeja without allowing even one drop to fall on the ground. With this ruse Raktha-beeja was easily overcome and killed. She also killed Chunda and Munda, and came to be known as Chamundi.
Kaali is depicted as an extremely black female idol with four arms. In one hand she has a scimitar, in another the head of a demon held by his hair, the third hand is spread open in a blessing mode and in the fourth she holds a trident. She has a necklace made of skulls Her tongue is blood red and hangs down upon her chin. She is shown standing with one foot on the chest of Shiva. Animal sacrifice is done to propitiate Kali.
Other forms of Kali are Chamunda, Rudhra Kali (goddess of the cremation ground), Bhadra Kali, Ugra Chandi, Bhima Chandi, Sidheshvari, and Sheetla (the goddess of smallpox).

 

Location:
Kali temple is situated in 
the kali-ghat area of Kolkata -
one of the four metropolitan cities of India.
This city is connected by air and rail links from the rest of the country