Begunbari Kali Temple, Hindu temple in Purba Medinipur district, India.
Begunbari Kali Temple sits on the western bank of the Kangsabati River near Khirai railway station in the Panskura block of West Bengal. The complex houses more than 9,000 smaller shrines, creating an extensive collection of sacred structures across the grounds.
Two brothers named Hinu Dung and Dinu Dung, who served King Rajnarayan Roy as wrestlers, founded the sanctuary after recovering from cholera between 1756 and 1770. Their recovery and subsequent establishment of the temple marked the beginning of this pilgrimage site.
The temple complex serves as a major pilgrimage destination for devotees from surrounding villages and regions. The numerous small shrines reflect how local communities have added to the sacred space over time to honor their faith.
The temple is best reached through the nearby Khirai railway station, from which visitors can arrive on foot or via local transportation. The site sits in a rural area, so gathering local travel information beforehand is helpful for planning your visit.
Before worship ceremonies, a traditional ritual involving symbolic robbery takes place, stemming from an episode in the temple's founding story. This unusual practice offers visitors a rare glimpse into how the founders' history is kept alive through ritual action.
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