Location:Belur.
Time to Visit: 8 A.M. - 11.30 A.M. & 4 P.M. - 7.30 P.M.
Preferred Timings: Morning between 8 A.M. - 11 A.M. and evening between 4 P.M - 6 P.M.
Admission Fee: Nil.
How to Reach:Local buses, mini buses and metered taxis are available from various parts of the city. One can also avail the local suburban trains from Howrah station and disembark at Belur station. From Belur station, shared auto rickshaws are readily available thatgo all the way to Belur Math.
Photography / Video charges: Strictly prohibited.
Nearest Railway Station: Belur (Suburban) & Howrah (Main Junction).
Nearest Metro Station: Dum Dum.
Nearest Functional Metro Station: Dum Dum.
Nearest International Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Intrnational Airport.
Time required for sightseeing: About 2 hours
The magnificent Belur Math is located on the West Bank of the Ganges river. It is one of the finest specimen of temple architecture in India. The architecture on display at Belur Math has a harmonious fusion of three principal world religion - Christian, Mohammedan and Hinduism i.e. At Belur Math you will find architectural elements of a church, mosque and a temple.
The architectural design of Belur Math is a reflection of the "International Brotherhood of Religion" which was preached by the 19th century spiritual giant and seer - Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansadev.
The idea of a permanent monastic base or Math was first conceptualized by the great Swami Vivekananda who was one of the foremost disciples of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna. After the passing away of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna, most of his disciples led a wandering life. Some went to the Himalayas, some to the South Indian pilgrim spots and soon. They did not have any platform from where they could carry out their austerities. Seeing the deplorable condition of his brother monks, the great Swami with the blessings of te Holy Mother Sarada Devi who was Thakur Sri Ramakrishna's holy consort, decided to build anorder or Math and thus the Ramakrishna Mission was born in the year 1897.
Today the Ramakrishna Mission is spread all over the world and Belur Math serves as the headquarters of the worldwide Ramakrishna Math & Mission.
The temple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa is the focal point of attraction. Inside the sanctum sanatorium which is separated by a see-through glass cover, the image of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa seated in a cross legged posture draws the attention of devotees who come from all over the world to offer their prayers. This monumental temple is huge in size as it is spacious and is ideal for meditation and introspection.
It took four long years to build this majestic temple and Ms. Hellen Rubel, an American disciple of swami Vivekananda provided the major portion of the funds. Today, this majestic temple stands as a beacon of hope for a world which is full of bigotry and religious fanaticism. Apart from the main temple, there is the Old Temple where daily worship of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa used to be performed. The Old Temple is still preserved carefully.
Swami Vivekananda's room is located adjacent to the old temple. One has to climb a flight of stairs to have a glimpse this well kept room. Swamiji's bed, the tiger skin on which he used to meditate, the almirah and other belongings and articles used by Swamiji are on display. From the verandah, one can have a panoramic view of the holy Ganges river that flows ever so gently.
The temple of Swami Brahmananda is located on the spot where he was cremated. Swami Brahmananda like Swami Vivekananda was a direct disciple of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and also the first President of the Ramkrishna Math & Mission.
Near Swami Brahmananda's temple is the temple dedicated to Holy Mother Sarada Devi. The temple has been built at the spotwhere The Holy Mother was cremated.
The twostoried temple of Swami Vivekananda is inspiring indeed. The temple has been built at the spot where his mortal remains were consigned to flames. What mesmerizes the spiritual tourists is the symbol "Om" on the upper floor.
Another holy spot at the sprawling campus of Belur Math is the "Samadhi Peetha" where the mortal remains of seven foremost disciples of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa were consigned to flames. The names of the disciples are engraved on the marble plaque.
The Ramakrishna Museum which is located to the south of the main temple is a must see site. People who are curious to know more about the significance of the Ramakrishna movementfrom the day Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa was born to the present day will find the museum to be an excellent place. Rare articles used by Thakur, Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda are displayed at the museum.
The pictorial depiction of the meteoric rise of Swami Vivekananda on the world stage and his famous Chicago address at The Parliament of Religion in 1893 is simply awesome.
Try to coincide your trip to Belur Math on auspicious occasions like the birthday of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda and other direct disciples of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. A good idea is to coincide your visit to Belur Math during the grand Durga Puja festival.
Belur Math has its own Guest House and ideally people who want to spend a few days in a spiritually surcharged atmosphere at this hallowed spiritual mecca, are advised to contact the Belur Math reception or the nearest Ramakrishna Mission for reservations.
An international University which fosters the study of Vedanta has also come up at Belur Math, thanks to the untiring efforts of Late President Rev. Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj.
Devotees from all over the world pour in at Belur Math to ffer prayers and also to have "Darshan" of the President Maharaj. Presently His Holiness Rev. Swami Gahananandaji Maharaj is the President of the Ramkrishna Math & Mission.
Ideally, for spiritual tourists, Belur Math is a great place for contemplation. The monks of Belur Math have deep spiritual insight about Vedanta and its relevance in today's world. The disciplined life of the monks at Belur Math is a lesson in the art of "Right Living & Right Action" something which is absolutely missing in our 24/7 lifestyle.
Vedanta is now in its second century in the world community. Previously, india's grandest philosophy had been with rare scholarly exceptions - more or less confined to her geographical boundaries. But the stunning appearance of Swami Vivekananda in Chicago at the Parliament of Religions changed all that for ever. And Belur Math being the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math & Mission has been playing a pivotal role in the spread of the worldwide Vedanta movement.
Special Event / Annual Event
All Hindu festive occasions including birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and the first twelve disciples of Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa are celebrated. As a tribute to the above-mentioned souls, their day of passing away too is also celebrated with silent prayers, devotional songs and meditation.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Adyapeath
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