Belur Math

Overview

Belur Math is situated on the western bank of the Hooghly (Ganga), in Howrah. It is an hour away from Kolkata, and is a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world. The place has been sanctified by the stay of Swami Vivekananda and most of the monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna who spent several years here. Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi also visited this place on several occasions. The room in which Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi has been preserved here. The headquarters of the worldwide twin organizations known as Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are also situated here. An added attraction is the Museum which contains articles connected with the history of Ramakrishna Math and Mission. The green lawns and lush growth of trees and bushes everywhere add to the serenity and beauty of the place. All this has contributed to an elevating spiritual ambience that has made Belur Math an important place of pilgrimage for people all over the world. A degree college, a polytechnic, and several other educational institutions of the Ramakrishna Mission are situated in the vast campus adjacent to Belur Math. The monks’ quarters: Apart from the main Monks’ Quarters, there are a few other buildings in which the monks and novices stay permanently. These quarters are out of bounds for visitors and even to lay devotees. The math office is situated behind the main temple; it is the nerve centre of all the activities concerning worship in the temples, annual celebration of Durga Puja and other festivals, maintenance of the premises, maintenance of monks, taking care of devotees, distribution of prasad, etc. Pranami (offerings) for worship and contributions for the maintenance of monks are received at the Math Office.

Sacred shrines

The imposing sandstone temple which enshrines the sacred relics and a beautiful marble statue of Sri Ramakrishna is one of the most unique temples built in modern times. It combines the architectural features of a Hindu temple, Buddhist cave, Christian church and Islamic mosque. There are also smaller temples dedicated to Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Brahmananda. A few other buildings associated with the early history of Ramakrishna Math are:

i. The Old Shrine where worship to Sri Ramakrishna was conducted for more than three decades;
ii. The room in which Swami Vivekananda spent his last years;
iii. The ‘Old Math’, earlier known as Nilambar Mukherjee’s Garden House, which was sanctified by the Holy Mother’s stay on several occasions, and which served as the monastery of Ramakrishna Order for a short period.

Probationers’ training center.
All the Probationers of the Ramakrishna Order have to stay for two years at the Training Centre before they are given Brahmacharya Ordination. It is a three-storied building where the novices and Acharyas (teachers) stay. In this institution regular classes are conducted for the novices on basic Hindu scriptures, lives and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and other incarnations and prophets, Indian philosophy, Western philosophy, Comparative Religion, etc. The novices are also given training in music, Vedic chanting, performing Puja, keeping accounts, gardening, etc. During 2004-05 there were 94 Probationers and 7 resident Acharyas at the Training Centre.

Math library

The Math has a library, meant for the use of monastics and lay Mission members; it has 21,481 books and 79 periodicals, including a collection of books used by the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna.

About the Deity

The serene campus of Belur Math on the Ganga includes temples dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, in which their relics are enshrined, and the main monastery of the Ramakrishna Order. A full size statue of Sri Ramakrishna is seated on a hundred petalled lotuses over a damaru shaped marble pedestal wherein the sacred relics of Sri Ramakrishna are preserved. The Brahmi-Hamsa on the front represents a Paramahamsa. The statue of Sri Ramakrishna was made by the famous sculptor late Gopeswar Pal of Kolkata and the decorations of the temple were conceived by artist late Sri Nandalal bose. The Canopy above the deity and all the doors and windows are made of selected teakwood imported from Myanmar.

Legend and stories

It was at Belur Math that Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), the foremost disciple of Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886), lived the last years of his brief life. He consecrated the grounds in 1898 by worshipping the urn containing the sacred relics of Sri Ramakrishna, which he himself carried on his shoulders to the place of worship. On that occasion he uttered these prophetic words about Belur Math: “The blazing light of universal harmony that will emanate from here will flood the whole world.” On another occasion he said that “the power that will have its rise from here [Belur Math] will flood the whole world and turn the course of men's lives into different channels; from this place will spring forth ideals which will be the harmony of Knowledge, Devotion, Yoga, and Work. All true seekers of spirituality will in course of time assemble here.” True to that prophecy, Belur Math has become the hub of a worldwide spiritual movement known as the Ramakrishna Movement.

Festivals

Apart from the celebration of traditional Hindu festivals such as Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Saraswati Puja, Shivaratri, and the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda, Belur Math also observes in a solemn way the birthdays of Sri Krishna, Buddha, Jesus Christ and Chaitanya. The Christmas Eve celebration with the singing of Carols and reading from the Bible is very impressive.

Timing

April to September 6.00 to 11.30 a.m and 4.00 to 7.00 p.m.
October to March 6.30 to 11.30 a.m. and 3.30 to 6.00 p.m.
The hours are extended on special days. The sanctum sanctorum or inner shrine (garbha mandira) of Sri Ramakrishna Temple is closed at 11.00 a.m. for ritualistic food offering to the Deity and opened at 11.40 a.m. for about five minutes. All other temples are closed at 11.30 a.m. At the time of sunset, when the arati (evening service) begins, a bell is rung to indicate that visitors are not allowed to loiter on the Math grounds and that they are also not permitted to visit any of the temples other than Sri Ramakrishna Temple from then on. They may sit inside Sri Ramakrishna Temple and join the arati. They may also spend their time in meditation and silent prayer in the main temple (Sri Ramakrishna Temple) after the arati till the garbha mandira is closed for the ritualistic food-offering at 8.30 p.m. from April to September or 8 p.m. from October to March.

Ticket fare

Entry Free

Temple Address

Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission
P.O. Belur Math-711202
Dist Howrah, West Bengal.