Kali Mandir – Down the Timeline
21 January, 1973 : resolution to build a temple was taken in a meeting of resident at I-1614
25 February: public notice inviting plot holders to assemble on 4 th March was published in Statesman and Indian Express.
4 March, 1973: Allottees of plots met at the zonal park opposite to plot 1647. A steering committee was formed. “Chittaranjan Park Kali mandir Society” was born.
2 December, 1973: first General Body Meeting of the Society was held. Memorandum of Association was adopted and the steering committee was asked to function as Managing Committee.
19 January, 1974: recommended two acres of land for construction of proposed temple on the “Rock Garden” at the junction of ‘I’ and ‘J’ blocks. A proposal on this was sent to the Government.
25th April, 1974, 8 BaishakBangabdo-1381 ( Akshay Tritiya ): Protishta of SHIVLINGA in a temporary shed. From dawn to dusk the barren rock garden resonated with ved mantrs and devotional songs for the first time. Swami Kripananda (Sannyasi) was present on this occasion and planted a bilwabriksha on the courtyard. Today one finds the green canopy of the tree at the entrance staircase.
13 may, 1976 : Electrcity connection came
12 – 13 May, 1979: musical programmes were organized at Talkotra Gardens to raise fund through donations.
28 May, 1979: foundation of Kali Mandir was laid with chanting of Veda mantras by five scholars of Ramkrishna order led by Sri Sri Budhanandaji Mahraj, the then secretary of RK Mission, Delhi. Earlier when sri sri Budhanandaji was requested to recommend a spot for the sanctum sanctorum, he sat on meditation and had a inner feeling about the spot where the temple stands today as the ideal location; he also said that this place will be a tirthastal one day. As per his advice the temple was constructed on the roof of the existing huge tortoise like stone. In 1973 ,sh.Jibonath Roychoudhuri, one of the three persons who initiated the idea of having a Kali mandir here, saw the idol of goddess Kali standing on the roof of the same tortoise stone.
24 April, 1983: the very first brick was laid in temple construction.
21 February, 1985: Idol of Ma Kali was established in presence of Mohananada Maharaj of Deoghar.The temple was inaugurated by Swami Hiranmoyanandaji Maharaj, the then chief of R K Mission, Delhi.
4 April, 1986: Balananda Yatrinibas started functioning with 12 rooms. Earlier Mohananandaji Maharaj donated Rs. 5.53 lakhs for construction of Balananda Dharmashala on the eastern part of the temple complex.
20 Sep, 1990: foundation stone of Shiv mandir was laid with puja and vedpath
May, 1986, 21 Baishakh-1399: Shiv mandir was inaugurated by Swami Bijoyanandaji Maharaj of Bharat Sevashram Sangha in the presence of local residents, worshippers, priests and special invitees like- Sh. Pronab Mukherji, the then vice chairman of Planning Commission, Padmabhusan (sitarist) Pandit Debu Choudhuri, Sri santosh Mohan Deb, the then minister of Steel and Mines, Debaprosad Roy – MP.
22-23 February, 1994,10 Phalgun-1400: Radha Krishna temple was inaugurated by Achaya Dr. Dhyanesh Narayan Chakraborty. Sri sri Mohananandaji Maharaj performed pranpratistha. Sri Purnatmananda Maharaj, secretary Bharat Sevashram, Swami Gokulananda Maharaj, secretary-RKmission, Delhi graced the occasion. The renowned kirtaniya Srimati Chhobi Bandyopadhyay mesmerized the huge audience with palakirtan for two days.
Nov 1998: – Two days Silver Jubilee celebration
Feb, 1999: – Kali Mandir Garden was declared as the Best Kept Garden by Agri Horticulture Society
Aug 2000: Well Known Drama “Nati Binodini” was presented as mega event by Calcutta High Court Advocate Drama Association.
Mar, 2001: 2 Acres land was allotted by DDA to Kali Mandir on perpetual Lease – Hold Basis
Apr, 2002: Terracota work at all the three temples commenced
Sep, 2012: “Sant Kutir” as the name goes a dwelling unit for visiting Monks along with a Prays Hall was inaugurated
Feb, 2013: Musical Fountain was inaugurated by Dr. Ms. Anita Bose pfuff, Daughter of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Nov, 2013: 40 years of Kali Mandir was celebrated with two days mega festival. Comprising of a popular drama “Tulsidas”, presented by well known Actor Shekhar Sen.