Nestling on the western banks of Hooghly River, Belur Math comprises the headquarters of Ramkrishna Math and Mission. It was founded by the globally acclaimed saint Swami Vivekananda.
In particular, it is situated in North Kolkata, and represents religious unity in its truest form. Swami Vijananda, the former president of the Math at that time laid the foundation of this building on 16th May 1935.
Swami Shivananda and Swami Vivekananda together had the dream to construct such an enormous shrine even during their pre-monastic lives. It was the endeavour of Martin Burn and Co. who turned this envision into a reality by making every bit of this construction as impressive as possible.
What’s more, the entire building has been made across a massive area of forty acres. So, visit this magnificent edifice at least once in your lifetime to witness how secularism thrives imperiously in the form of a perfect blend of Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.
You might be wondering why but the fact is the architecture out here is an amazing combination where it represents these three religions impeccably. To know more about Belur Math, its history, architecture and timing, continue reading the post below.
History
Swami Vivekananda in assistance of his brother-monks wanted to spread the holy teachings and quotes of his Guru, Sri Ramkrishna Paramhansa Dev across the whole of India. For this, he wanted to build monasteries all over the country.
After returning from Colombo with a group of western disciples in 1897, Swamiji decided to build two monasteries back-to-back. The first one he built was in Belur Math and the second monastery was built in Mayavati situated in Uttrakhand, a prominent Himalayan region.
However, with time, the former became more popular and its main objective was to train amateur monks and prepare them for the monastic way of life, subsequently making them comply with the religious beliefs and principles preached by Ramkrishna.
Architectur
Coming to the architecture of the Math, Swami Vivekananda got immense inspiration from it as he travelled all over the world as a wandering saint or Prarivrajaka.
While globetrotting, not only he discovered every nook and cranny of India, his own nation, but several parts of Europe and America as well. Gradually, he started borrowing ideas from the many buildings having Renaissance, Medieval, Dorik, and Gothic Architecture while incorporating the modern-day styles along with it as well.
As he was back all the way to his homeland, he also stole concepts from the historically prominent monuments and forts including Fatepur Sikri, Taj Mahal, South Indian temples, temples of Orissa, Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
In 1898, Vivekananda finally laid the foundation of Belur Math after worshipping the urn that contained the sacred relics of Ramkrishna Paramhansa Dev.
At the time of doing that, he articulated a few lines by saying that ‘’the blazing light of universal harmony emanating from here will one day inundate the entire world’’ and ended his consecration ritual like that.
There is no doubt that whatever he said proved to be true as Belur Math has become one of the most revered religious places for spiritual seekers as well as for individuals who are on the lookout for a bit of inner solace.
Belur Math Visiting Hours and Timing
One needs to visit Belur Math within a certain frame to perceive the true bliss and essence of this monastery. You can plan to visit the temple in the morning hours or in the afternoon. Check out the temple opening and closing times listed below and plan your visit accordingly. Also note that temple opening and closing timing varies slightly in summer and winter months.
From April to September
- Morning: 6.30 am to 11.30 am
- Evening: 4.00 pm to 09:00 pm
From October to March
- Morning: 6.30 am to 11.30 am
- Evening: 3:30 pm to 08.30 pm
Closing time
All the temples within the Belur Math Campus generally close at 11.30 am in morning. However, after the evening Aarti, the devotees are allowed to sit in Sri Ramakrishna temple premises.
By the way, if you are planning to visit Belur Math during Durga Puja, then you are up for a greater experience. The belur math durga puja is quite famous and therefore you may like to participate and experience the puja and rituals here.
What to see in the campus?
There are quite a few places that you can see inside the Belur Math Campus including:
- Sri Ramakrishna Temple
- Swami Brahmananda Temple
- The Samadhi Enclosure
- Swami Vivekananda’s Room
- Holy Mother Temple
- The Swami Vivekananda Temple and
- The old Math or Shrine etc.
While entering the campus area, you will see a lush green garden encompassed by clumps of palm trees that seem to reinforce the tranquil ambience of the Math even more.
Also, while you are here, you must take a ferry ride and go to the Dakshineswar temple which is at the other side of the river.
How to Reach Belur Math by Train, Bus and Ferry
You can resort to any of these transportation services to reach Belur Math conveniently
Bus
Belur Math is well connected by bus from both Howrah and Kolkata. There are many private buses for Belur Math that depart from other areas in Kolkata Howrah e.g. EM Bypass, Garia, Science City, Dakshineswar and Bali.
Ferry
Frequent ferry services are available either between Belur Math and Kuntighat or Dakshineshwar. And if you are visiting Dakshineshwar, then you may like to take a quick boat ride from Dakshineswar to reach Belur Math.
Local Train
Trains to Belur Math are frequently available from both Howrah and Sealdah railway stations. However, the Belur Math station is not close to the math and therefore, it might take you about half an hour to reach the math from the Belur math railway station.
Contact Information
Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission (HQ)
PO Belur Math, Howrah – 711202, West Bengal, India
Telephone: +91-33-2654-5700/02/03
You can also check their Official website to learn more about the Math.
Frequently Asked Questions
Belur Math is located in Howrah, West Bengal
Belur Math is mainly famous for the architectural diversity it boasts, depicting the religious uniformity between Christianity, Hinduism and Islam in the most appealing manner.
Yes, there are three guest houses located outside the Math Campus. While one is built for foreign invitees who visit Belur Math, the other two are meant for general public and Indian visitors.
Over to you
Belur Math is one of the most sought-after religious places near Kolkata not only in India but all over the world. Would you like a mind-boggling trip to this stunning monastery any time soon? If you say yes, then plan a Belur Math itinerary as soon as possible and come across a shrine where spirituality, architectural versatility and religious uniformity are at their pinnacle.