Allen Ginsberg was worshipping Goddess Kali: Subodh Sarkar

Kolkata, Jan. 24 -- American Beat poet Allen Ginsberg was deeply engaged with Hindu spirituality during his later years and was once seen worshipping Goddess Kali with ritual devotion in New in his New York apartment, eminent Bengali poet Subodh Sarkar recalled on Saturday.

Recalling his meeting with Ginsberg in the US, Sarkar said he was taken by surprise.

"I walked into his room and saw him worshipping Goddess Kali's picture, the one from Kalighat. He was offering sweets and there was a small harmonium near the bed," he said.

Speaking at the Exide Kolkata Literary Meet 2026, Sarkar said the scene stood in sharp contrast to Ginsberg's public image in the United States as a rebellious and controversial figure.

"The controversial figure ...