Rani Rashmoni

Rani Rashmoni (Bengali: রানী রাসমনি, 1793—1861) was the founder of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple and numerous charitable works. She was born into a poor farming family of Kona village,in present day North 24 Parganas on 26th September 1793 (1211 "Bangabda").

Exceptionally beautiful, she was married to Babu Rajachadra Das of Janbazar, Kolkata, a member of a wealthy "zamindar" family, when she was eleven years old. After her husband's death she took charge of the zamindari and business. She soon proved herself a natural leader. While the prestige of the zamindari grew, Rani Rashmoni, being very pious from childhood, continued to lead an extremely religious and austere life, befitting a widow in Indian society. Rani Rashmoni died on 19th February, 1861.

The "Rani" and her clashes with the British in India became household tales in her time. By blocking the shipping trade on a part of Ganges she compelled the British to abolish the tax imposed on fishing in the river, which threatened the livelihood of poor fishermen. When Puja processions were stopped by the British on the charge that they disturbed the peace, she defied the orders. The British had to withdraw the penalty imposed on her in the face of public opposition and rioting in her support.

Rani Rashmoni also had to her credit numerous charitable works and other contributions to society. She oversaw the construction of a road from Subarnarekha river to Pari for pilgrims. She funded the construction of ghats such as Babughat (in memory of her husband), Ahiritola Ghat and Nimtala Ghat for the daily bathers in the Ganges. She donated generously to the then Imperial Library (now the National Library of India) and Hindu College (now Presidency College).

A divine revelation led her to found the famous temple complex on the banks of the Ganges at Dakshineswar in the North 24 Parganas. Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa (then known as "Gadadhar") was appointed its head priest under her patronage.

"text source from the Lokmata Rani Rashmoni Mission"