Belur Math Howrah West Bengal History and Interesting Facts

Belur Math Quick Facts

Belur Math Overview

Belur Math, located on the banks of the Hooghly River in the Indian state of West Bengal, has the memories of Swami Vivekananda, the country's greatest disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa and the country's great spiritual saint. Swami Vivekananda met his guru Ramakrishna Paramhansa in Dakshineswar.

It is the 5th largest Hindu shrine in the world. Here Mata Adyakali is worshipped. Belur Math is not only one of the important institutions of Calcutta but also a very sacred place for all the spiritual-minded people of the world.

Belur Math History

Located in Belur in Howrah district, this Monastery was established in 1897 by Swami Vivekananda, the Indian representative of the Vishwa Dharma Parishad. Belur Math is the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission whose branches are now covered all over the world. Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission on May 1, 1897.

Swami Vivekananda made Belur Math his permanent residence from the year 1898. They lived in a room on the top floor of the room. Swami Vivekananda, who showed the world a new path of spirituality and played India's dunk on the world stage, took samadhi here on July 04, 1902, at the age of less than 40 years.

Belur Math Interesting Facts

1. The Kali temple of Dakshineswar is situated right in front of this monastery built on the banks of the Hooghly river in Howrah.
2. Situated on 40 acres of land, on the right and left side of the monastery, on the entrance from the main gate, there are also educational institutions run by the ashram, which has now been converted into a university.
3. This Monastery is famous for its architecture, which has a mixture of Hindu, Islamic and Christian elements, which is a symbol of unity of all religions.
4. The Residence hall of Swami Vivekananda is the main attraction of this Math. Swami Vivekananda lived in this room on the bank of the river from 1863 to 1902. The items used by Vivekananda are on display in this room. This room is open for public viewing from 6 to 12 in the morning and then from 4 to 7 in the evening.
5. Adjacent to the main campus of the monastery are the campuses of some of the educational institutions of the Ramakrishna Mission, including the Vidyamandir, Shilpamandir, Veda Vidyalaya and the Swami Vivekananda University campus.
6. In the main courtyard of this monastery, the tombs and temples of Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Sharda Devi and Swami Brahmananda are situated at their death place.
7. Apart from this, the remains of Swami Vivekananda ji along with 16 of his sixteen disciples are present inside the monastery.
8. No woman was allowed in his monastery. Once when Vivekananda became very ill, his disciples called his mother. Seeing them, Vivekananda shouted, 'How did you guys allow a woman to come in? I am the one who made this rule and it is for me that this rule is being broken.'
9. A museum has also been built here, which provides detailed information about the Ramakrishna Mission.
10. There is also a library in the Monastery complex, where more than 20 thousand books related to spirituality are available. Along with this, a charitable hospital is also operated in the ashram premises.
11. A variety of food products are also manufactured in this monastery, in which mustard chutney, pickle juice and other food items can be seen. The price of these items produced by Ramakrishna Mission Seva Sangh is much less than the market.
12. Tourists visiting this Monastery must see the evening aarti here.
13. There is also a huge green lawn inside the monastery, which attracts the tourists visiting here. A large number of people visit Belur Math on Sundays and holidays.
14. Various religious ceremonies are organized in this Math every year on the birth anniversary and death anniversary of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. Along with this, a large number of people come here every year to see the Mahashtami Kumaripujan especially during Durga Puja.
15. Belur Railway station is the nearest station to this monastery, the distance of the ashram is only two kilometers from here. From the railway station, you can reach here by battery rickshaw or auto by paying only 10 rupees fare.
16. The Belurmath Railway Station was also inaugurated here in the year 2007, which is dedicated to Belurmath Temple.
17. Belur Math is open from 6 am to 11:30 am from April to September and from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, while from October to March, 6:30 am to 11:30 am. Opens till 3:30 PM to 6 PM.