Location : Belur, Howrah, near Kolkata
Headquarter of the Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math (aka Belur Mutt) is located near the Hooghly River and spread across forty acres of land. Fusion of Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist and Christian styles of architecture, the Math stands proud as a symbol of secularism. A visit to the Belur Math fills ones soul with contentment and peace.
Belur Math Complex:
The Math complex comprises of what, for lack of a better word, can only be called temples. It consist further of museums, a shrine and a monastery. Following are the details:
- Sri Ramakrishna Temple – Enshrining the relics of Sri Ramakrishna, this is the main temple in the Belur Math.
- Swami Brahmananda Temple – This temple was built over the spot where Swami Brahmananda (one of the sixteen disciples of Sri Ramakrishna) was cremated.
- Swami Vivekananda Temple – It is constructed over the place where mortal remains of Swami Vivekananda were cremated.
- Samadhi Enclosure – Here the remains of seven out sixteen disciples of Swami Vivekananda were cremated.
- Holy Mother Temple or the Temple of Sri Sarda Devi
- Old Shrine – Here daily prayers were offered till the new temple (Ramakrishna Temple) was consecrated.
- Room of Swami Vivekananda – This is the room where Swami Vivekananda lived and attained Mahasamadhi.
- Old Math
- Ramakrishna Museum – The museum preserves and exhibits articles that were used by Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and Holy Mother Sri Sarda Devi.
The place is different than any other place of worship where one is expected to just sit and meditate. There is no ritualistic offering made, no flowers or sweets put on offer. The silence that envelops the place is the most important feature of the Belur Math.
Visiting hours (Belur Math):
April to September: 6 am to 11:30 am, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
October to March: 6:30 am to 11:30 am, 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Every evening a special bell is rung when the aarti begins and then the visitors are supposed to sit inside the main Sri Ramakrishna Temple and not allowed to loiter around.
Ritualistic Food offering:
April to September: 8:30 pm
October to March: 8:00 pm
Visiting hours (Ramakrishna Museum):
Morning: 8:30 am to 11:30 am
Evening: 4 pm to 6 pm (April to September), 3:30 to 5:30 (October to March)
(Closed on Mondays)
Address: Belur, Howrah, West Bengal 711202
Entry fees : No entry fees
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