Hindu temple, Mymensingh
Boro Kali Bariবড় কালীবাড়ি
- Time needed
- About 30 minutes.
- best months
- Nov–Feb
Mymensingh's oldest Kali temple, about 300 years old, home of the goddess known as Joy Kali.
Plan your visit
- Opening
- Open from morning until night.
- Best time
- After sunset, when the daily puja begins; or on Kali Puja night.
At a glance
- Founded
- About 300 years ago, under Nawab Alivardi Khan
- Goddess
- Joy Kali
About
The temple was founded about 300 years ago, in the time of Nawab Alivardi Khan, by tantric worshippers. The story is that a fisherman on the Brahmaputra pulled up a black stone image of Kali in his net and cried "Joy Kali!", and the name stayed with her. She was installed under a great banyan on an altar of five skulls, the panchamundi, where the altar still stands.
The temple was rebuilt recently, and since March 2026 a large new image of Kali stands in place of the old black stone one, with new shrines to Ganesh and Bipadnashini.
It is busiest on Kali Puja night, when the neighbourhood clubs build themed pandals that tell lesser-known stories from Hindu mythology. Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Manasa pujas are held here too. Daily puja usually starts after sunset, and sweet shops line the lane outside.
Getting there: About ten minutes by rickshaw from Ganginarpar, the main street of the town centre.
Things to do
- See the panchamundi altar where the banyan once stood.
- Buy sweets from the shops outside.
Good to know
- Dress modestly and take your shoes off before the shrine.
