Indian women have always advocated for social change, led significant movements, and provided immeasurable contributions to society. But as can be observed from our history books, it’s all too easy to forget about their accomplishments.
Rani Rashmoni, a “rani” who wasn’t truly a queen but yet had such sway over the populace’s emotions that they conferred the title on her, is one such forgotten heroine.
Rashmoni made an enduring impact on Kolkata’s history through her daring confrontation with the East India Company and the founding of the Dakshnineshwar Kali shrine (erstwhile Calcutta).
Rani Rashmoni and Dakshineshwar
Rani Rashmoni built the renowned Dakshineswar Kali temple, which is home to the Goddess Kali, based on a vision she had just before setting out for Benaras. A long-term agreement that the Rani had wanted to carry through after her husband passed away with his unmet desire to construct a Kali shrine came to pass.
Dynamic woman Rani Rashmoni took up management of the massive domain her husband left her. The benevolent director Rani Rashmoni consistently battled against the strict British laws and regulations. She was admired and respected for having a strong and selfless soul. Her thoughtfulness is attested to by the Dakshineswar Temple, the sprinkling ghats, the walkway from the Subarnarekha River to Puri, the Imperial Library (now the National Library), and the Hindu College (now the Presidency College).
The Rani had been deeply affected by the fantasy, and she had instructed her closest friends—in particular, her youngest in-law—to look for plots to build the Kali Temple. A 20-acre property in the town of Dakshineswar was selected following a protracted search for appropriate ones. The place resembled a tortoise’s mound. This location had a Muslim graveyard in one section and a part that belonged to a European Christian community. On this precise site, the Rani began to construct this Hindu temple in 1847, combining several religions. The Gift Deed specifies “For the purpose of fulfilling his wish, on September 6th, 1847, I paid James Hasty Rs. 42,500 in order to purchase 54.4 bighas of land. On the property, I planned to build a puca Navaratna temple, twelve Shiva temples (or jyotirlingam), a Vishnu temple, and a Natmandir. I installed Luxminarayan Shila in the Navaratna temple on May 31, 1855, in accordance with the wishes of my late spouse and for the benefit of his spirit.” The deed was carried out on May 31st, 1855.
“It is recorded in the Endowment archive that the place that is recognised for the Kali temple complex is 60 bighas,” Swami Saradananda said in the allegorising. In the actual paper, we discuss how the plot was determined to be 54 1/2 bighas, with the Ganges’ surrounds in the west, Kashinath Roy Choudhury’s birthplace in the east, and John Hastie’s projects in the south. Later, a portion of the site was used to build the Vivekananda Bridge and a train line. As a result, there are currently 58 bighas in the entire area of mass.
Establishment of Ma Kali
Rani Rashmoni, who was keeping an eye on the situation, spoke with the savants for a while, but none could resolve it. Only Ramkumar Chattopadhayay, Sri Ramakrishna’s senior sibling, suggested that we may solve the current problem by dedicating the temple to a Brahmin.
On Thursday, May 31, 1855, Ramkumar—the head priest—introduced the icon of Kali in the new temple with remarkable quality. They dedicated the temple in honour of Rani’s Guru. Many scholars who specialise in shastras (holy literature), Brahmin intellectuals, and esteemed researchers arrived from far-off places like Kashi, Orissa, and Navadvip.
Within a year, he passed away, leaving his younger sibling, Ramakrishna, in charge of taking care of everything. Over the next thirty years, Ramakrishna transformed into a fervent enthusiast who sowed the seeds of progress in Bengal’s socio-religious state and brought enormous fame to the Dakshineswar temple.
The very liberal Rani yearned for the temple to be a place where pioneers of all races and religions might make prayers to God. Following, her fantasies were fulfilled regardless of her station or religion. Many enthusiasts flock to Dakshineswar, which is revered for its tranquil atmosphere.
The legacy has been handed over to Temple Trust
The Rani only lived for nine months after the temple’s dedication, which was a rather brief period of time.
In reality, she fell ill in 1861.
She decided to gift the property she had acquired in Dinajput (now in Bangladesh) to the temple trust as a legacy for the upkeep of the temple as her passing came near.
She reached her objective on February 18, 1861, and the following day she went away.
Rani Rashmoni constructed the Dakshineswar Kali Temple in the middle of the nineteenth century.
Rani Rashmoni was a Mahishya by caste and was well-known for her humanitarian efforts.
In the year 1847, Rashmoni planned a long journey to the holy Hindu city of Kashi in order to express her love to the Divine Mother.
Rani was to go in 24 boats with her family, hired labour, and supplies.
The night before the voyage began, according to conventional beliefs, Rashmoni had a dream in which the Divine Mother manifested as a fictional Kali. She reportedly said, “There is no compelling reason to visit Banaras.
Introduce my statue and arrange for my love at a stunning temple on the Ganges river.
I might then show my regard for the scene by participating in the photo.”
The scenario had a significant impact on Rani, who immediately looked for and purchased a 20-acre site in the town of Dakshineswar. The vast temple complex was built between the years of 1847 and 1855. The 20-section (81,000 m2) plot was bought from an Englishman named John Hastie, and was then famously known as Saheban Bagicha, a half-old Muslim cemetery shaped like a tortoise that was thought suitable for the love of Shakti according to Tantra conventions. It took eight years and 900,000 rupees to complete the development, and finally the image of Goddess Kali was introduced on the Snana Yatra day on May 31, 1855, in More than 1 lakh Brahmins from all around the country were welcomed to the fortunate event on May 31, 1855. When Ramkumar Chhattopadhyay passed away the next year, it awarded Ramakrishna the job. I joined him by his wife Sarada Devi, who resided in a small chamber on the ground floor that is now home to an altar in her honour on the south side of the Nahabat (music room).
Ramakrishna was in charge of obtaining much of the way for gaining both popularity and visitors to the temple from that point till his death 30 years later in 1886. After the temple’s inauguration, Rani Rashmoni only had a short lifespan of nine months. She actually became ill in 1861. Knowing that her time was limited, she made the decision to leave the temple trust the property she had acquired in Dinajput (now in Bangladesh) as a bequest for the maintenance of the temple. She completed her task on February 18, 1861, and passed on the next day.
Rani Rashmoni erected the Dakshineshwar shrine in 1847. Twelve smaller temples surround the 12-spired temple, which has a sizable courtyard. It is a well-known location for a pilgrimage. Rama Krishna Paramahamsa, a philosopher and thinker, attained his spiritual vision here. The unification of all religions was his next point of emphasis. The chief priest of the temple was Ramakrishna. He had a unique kind of affection for the Goddess ever since he began working in the temple. It is known as maha bhava. Ramakrishna would be overcome by an exalted kind of devotion to the god. He was in a spiritual trance and would frequently fall to the ground. He had a propensity to become unaware of his surroundings. He thoroughly understood the divine’s all-encompassing essence.
The Dakshineswar Temple, which is dedicated to both Goddess Bhavatarini and a portion of Goddess Kali, is situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River in the Dakshineswar neighbourhood of Kolkata. Queen Rasmani started work on the temple’s construction in 1847, and it was completed in 1855. About the same time, it was made holy. One of Kolkata’s largest shrines is the Dakshineswar temple, which spans approximately 25 sections of land. There are 12 holy locations along the boundary wall dedicated to Lord Shiva and nine spired major shrines dedicated to Goddess Kali. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha along the riverbank. According to mythology, the goddess Kali appeared in Queen Rasmani’s dreams before she set off for Benaras. Goddess admonished the king not to travel to Benaras and build a temple there on the banks of the Ganges. She would display the image and express respect. At that point, the land was bought and the temple was built. Additionally, it is believed that the enormous Saint Ramakrishna had attained his profound vision.
The charitable chairman Rani Rashmoni consistently fought against the strict British rules and policies. She was admired and revered for having a strong and compassionate soul. Showering ghats at the Dakshineswar Temple, which are located on the way from the Subarnarekha River to Puri, along with the Imperial Library (now the National Library) and Hindu College (now the Presidency College), are testaments to her good nature.
Today, the magnificent Dakshineswar temple acts as a raw profound vitality wrap for devotees who attend. Thousands of believers attend to present the managing deity with the customary red hibiscus blooms and sandesh or sweetmeat as offerings to God.
There are 12 Shiva sanctuaries just across from the main temple in the temple complex, in addition to the main Kali temple. A Shiva Lingam has been erected in each of them. A perfect Lord Laxmi Narayan temple also draws large throngs of devotees, in addition to the Shiva sanctuaries.