Kalikadevi Temple, Bhubaneswar

Kalikadevi Temple is in Kancha Sahi in the Old Town of Bhubaneswar, on the right of the Temple road that runs from Lingaraja Temple to Garej chowk. Its deity, a four-armed goddess, is known locally as Kali. Local tradition says it was built under the Kesharis (Somavamsis), though its documenters thought this unlikely and date it to the 10th or 11th century from its mouldings.

The north-facing shrine is a pidha deul of sandstone, built in dry masonry in the Kalinga style and 5.5 m tall, with a fivefold wall. Its wall niches are empty and the doorjambs plain, flanked by two recently installed images of female door guardians. Houses enclose it on every side except the road. The temple stands on a private plot and is maintained by its owner. Kali puja and Chandi puja are celebrated, along with rites such as Annaprasana and Balabhoga.