Dakshineswar Kali Temple

The main temples stand in a rectangular paved courtyard. The Kali temple faces south, the Radhakanta temple stands to its north facing the river, and the twelve Shiva temples line the western edge beside the Ganga, facing east, six on either side of the chandni (roofed terrace) above the bathing ghat.

Nine spires crown the main temple, four at each corner of the lower and upper tiers and one at the centre, a hallmark of the Bengal navaratna style, making the temple a landmark visible from the river.

The sanctum houses the image of Kali as Bhavatarini, standing on the breast of the recumbent Shiva, both placed on a thousand-petalled silver lotus throne. Devotees take darshan from the doorway of the sanctum.

A spacious pillared hall in front of the Kali temple, used for devotional music, performances and gatherings during festivals and Kali Puja. Devotees gather here to watch the aartis.

Twelve identical Shiva temples built in the Bengal aatchala ("eight-roofed") style stand in a row along the river, facing east, six on each side of the chandni. Each houses a Shivalinga.

A temple dedicated to Krishna as Radhakanta, with images of Krishna (about 21.5 inches) and Radha (about 16 inches). It stands north of the Kali temple and faces the river.

Two nahabats (music towers) stand in the temple garden, from which music was played at sunrise, noon and sundown. The small ground-floor room of the northern Nahabat is where Sri Ramakrishna's mother and later Sri Sarada Devi lived.

A wide flight of steps leads from the chandni down to the Hooghly, where devotees bathe before worship. Ferries to Belur Math and Uttarpara leave from the jetty nearby.

The room at the north-west corner of the courtyard, just north of the twelve Shiva temples, with a semicircular verandah facing the river, where Sri Ramakrishna spent much of his life, preserves his beds and personal items and is open to visitors.