Little India's most colorful temple (srivkt.org) is dedicated to the ferocious goddess Kali. Adorned with a garland of skulls, she is depicted tearing apart her victims while engaging in serene family moments with her sons Ganesh and Murugan. The bloodthirsty consort of Shiva has long been revered in Bengal, the birthplace of the laborers who constructed the building in 1881. Its most notable feature, the entrance gopuram (tower) with intricate carvings of Hindu deities, was added in the 1980s. The striped red walls pay homage to its earlier incarnation.
Visitors are welcome inside the temple during designated hours and the temple is at its most evocative during the four daily puja (prayer) sessions. Upon entering (leave shoes at the door), you're enveloped in the aroma of incense, the rhythmic melodies of temple music and the chants of prayers. Multiple sanctums hold various deities from the pantheon framed by ornate doorways; some of these can be incredibly life-like.
Photography is allowed, but be mindful that this is an active site of worship. The temple hosts various religious ceremonies, festivals and cultural events year-round, drawing crowds from all walks of life. Processions with hoisted deities on sedans are common, regaled by the live playing of traditional instruments. Even spectators will be mesmerized by the electric vibes.