Kalkaji Mandir, also known as Kalkaji Temple, is a Hindu mandir or temple, dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali. The temple (mandir) is situated in the southern part of New Delhi, in Kalkaji, India, a locality that has derived its name from the temple and is located opposite the Nehru Place business centre and close to the Okhla railway station, Kalkaji Mandir metro station. Hindus believe that the image of the Goddess Kalka here is a self-manifested one. History The temple was rebuilt later by Marathas Though the temple is thought to be much older, the oldest portions of the present building are believed to have been constructed not earlier than the 1764 AD by the Marathas, with additions in 1816 by Mirza Raja Kidar Nath, the Peshkar of Akbar II During the second half of the twentieth century, a considerable number of Dharamshalas were constructed around the temple by Hindu bankers and merchants of Delhi. The temple itself is built on the land of Shamlat Thok Brahmins and Thok Jogians who are also the pujari's of the temple and who perform Puja Sewa. The Thok Brahmins consist of Four Thullas, namely Thulla Tansukh, Thulla Rambaksh, Thulla Bahadur, and Thulla Jasram. they are classified into Gharbari Jogi and Kanphada Jogi. Legend According to a Hindu legend, Kalika Devi was born at the site where the temple is situated. It is believed that the Goddess Kalkaji, pleased with the prayers offered and rituals performed by the gods on the advice of Lord Brahma, appeared at the site of the temple and blessed them, and settled at the site. During the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna and the Pandavas are said to have worshipped Kali at this temple during the reign of Yudhisthira. The temple itself is believed to have been constructed by Thok Brahmins and Thok Jogians at the order of Kali. It is also called Jayanti Peetha or Manokamna Siddha Peetha. " Manokamna" literally means desire, " Siddha" means fulfillment, and " Peetha" means shrine. So, it is believed to be the holy shrine where one gets the blessings of Maa Kalika Devi (Goddess or Mother Kalika) for the fulfillment of one's desires. Legend of Lal Baba Modern structure The temple complex, as it stands today, is constructed of brick masonry, finished with plaster and marble, and is surrounded by a pyramidal tower. The central chamber which is 12-sided in the plan,