‘Kal’ is another name for Shankar (Shiva) and his consort is Kali. The fierce incarnation of Shiva’s spouse – the primordial energy, Adi Shakti Parvati – is known as Kali, also revered as Kalika or Kalka Mata. Alongside the Shakta tradition, the tantric Buddhist stream too worships the Mother Kali. For the followers of the Vaam panths (Vamacharas, left-hand paths) such as Tantra and Shakta lineages, Kali is the supreme deity. One such temple, revered by devotees, stands in Indore. Here the Kalka Mata is believed to be one who answers vows. As a part of those fulfilled vows, it is customary to offer a coconut and a rooster to the Goddess.
According to the seventh chapter of ‘Devi Mahatmya’ in the ‘Markandeya Purana’, the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha attacked Indra, who had slain their brother Namuchi and seized from him the lordship of the three worlds. The gods then implored Adi Shakti Bhagavati. While they were praying to the Goddess, Parvati arrived; from the sheath of her body manifested the Goddess Ambika, also known as Kaushiki. Chanda and Munda were the attendants of Shumbha and Nishumbha. When they beheld Ambika, they described her incomparable beauty to Shumbha, who sent a message proposing that she become his queen. Ambika rejected the proposal outright. Shumbha and Nishumbha then dispatched Chanda and Munda to seize her and bring her by force.
At that moment, Kali sprang forth from Ambika’s being and slew Chanda and Munda.
Kali and Durga are held to be one and the same Goddess. Many Puranic narratives tell of Kali slaying demons such as Shankhachuda, Darukasura and Mahishasura. In the Kali-tantra her forms are described as Shavarudha (mounted upon a corpse), Chaturbhuj (four-armed), Narmundamaladhari (wearing a garland of severed heads) and Smashanavasini (dweller of cremation grounds). The worship of Kali is found throughout the country. Not only that, in the Camargue region of southern France, at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, she is venerated as Saint Sara or Sara-la-Kali. It is said that the wandering Roma Gypsies who left India in the medieval period carried the Goddess with them to Europe. In and around Indore, there are numerous shrines of Kali or Kalka Mata.
Among them, the Kalka Dham situated at the crossroads in Kila Maidan enjoys special popularity with devotees.
The story of this temple’s founding is told thus – the area where the temple now stands was once sparsely inhabited. People from villages near Indore would pass along the road each day carrying vegetables, grain, milk and other produce to sell and accidents occurred more than once at the crossing here. About fifty years ago, some devotees built a small shrine to Kalka Mata at this spot and installed a small idol of the Goddess. Nearby, one Arun Kaushal ran a tea stall. A devotee of Kalka Mata, Kaushal would perform worship at the shrine daily. One day a thought took root in his heart that a grand temple to the Mother should rise here. He resolved to fulfill this vow with the savings from selling tea. 
In accordance with that resolve, a large temple to the Goddess was erected here in 2005 and a majestic idol of Kalka Devi was consecrated within. The temple stands on one side of the wide crossroads. Even today, to the right of the temple, Kaushal’s small tea stall remains. To the left are shops selling garlands and articles for worship.
The temple’s form comprises an open, lateral assembly hall (sabhamandap), the sanctum (garbhagriha) and above it a soaring shikhara. One can behold the Goddess even while passing on the road outside. Across the hall countless garlands of coconuts are suspended. Upon a plinth in the hall stands a small metal idol of the Goddess. A few feet higher lies the sanctum, whose entrance bears a cusped arch. Within, upon a marble vajrapitha, is enthroned an eight-foot idol of Kalka Mata. The Goddess is draped in a black sari, a great crown upon her head, earrings in her ears, a nose ring, ornaments at her throat. She holds a severed head and a weapon in her hands. Directly before her stands the old, five-foot idol of Kalka Devi. A small marble idol of Hanuman has also been installed here.
Devotees cherish the belief that heartfelt worship of Kalka Mata brings the fulfillment of all their wishes. For this reason many make vows here for the accomplishment of their desires. It is the custom to offer a single coconut to the Goddess when making a vow and when the vow is fulfilled to offer a garland of coconuts and a rooster. Hence the abundance of coconut garlands seen all around. In earlier times, offerings of blood and meat were made to Kali. Here however, now a das a live rooster is brought and set free. Many such roosters may be seen moving about the temple precincts. Navaratri is celebrated on a grand scale in the temple. During that time not only the shrine but the surrounding locality is illuminated and decorated.
