Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal

Belur Math, located in Howrah in West Bengal, India, is a famous Hindu temple and pilgrimage centre. It is closely associated with Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda, two famous spiritual teachers who lived in 19th-century India. This temple guide will provide an overview of the history, temple timing, legend, and other darshan information related to Belur Math.

About Belur Math

On the west bank of the Hooghly River, in north Kolkata, is Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, a symbol of one universal faith. Math honours all religions in the same way, and people come from all over the world to find spiritual fulfilment there. Even the temple’s design shows that it is spiritual and not tied to any religion. Our former President, Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, said Belur Math was a national importance and heritage place.

Swami Vivekananda, the most important student of the sage Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, came up with the idea and started Math at the turn of the 20th century. Its main idea is “selfless service of God in man.” The Math is on 40 acres and has well-kept gardens and palm trees. On the campus, there are separate temples for Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, his wife Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda, where their relics are kept, as well as the main monastery of the Ramakrishna order.

History of Howrah Belur Math

Swami Vivekananda and his fellow monks started building monasteries in India to carry on the teachings and vision of their guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, to help all people. In January 1897, Swami Vivekananda returned from Colombo with a small group of western disciples. He then started two monasteries, one at Belur, which became the headquarters of the Ramakrishna mission, and the other at Mayavati in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. The monasteries were built only to teach young people who wanted to become monks about their beliefs and way of life. After that, they were ordained into the Ramakrishna order.

Swami Vivekananda got the ideas for the architecture and design of the temple from what he saw while a parivrajaka, a spiritual teacher (wandering monk). Swamiji went all over India and to the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world. He got ideas from the Gothic, Doric, Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern styles of buildings. Closer to home, the Taj Mahal, the Fatehpur Sikri palaces, the Rajput palaces, and the temples of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Orissa, and other South Indian states all affected him.
Before he became a monk, Swami Vijnanananda was a civil engineer. He used ideas from Swami Vivekananda to design the temple’s building.

In 1898, Vivekananda made the ground holy by worshipping the urn that held Sri Ramakrishna’s holy relics. On the dedication day, he said, “The blazing light of world peace that will shine from here will cover the whole world.” Since then, Belur Math has become the center of spiritual movements and places spiritual seekers want to visit more than anywhere else.

The architecture of Belur Math Temple

Swami Vijnanananda, a monk who was a direct student of Ramakrishnan, was the main architect of the temple. Swami Vivekananda came up with one universal faith, the main idea behind the temple, and how it was built. The temple is made of chunar stone and concrete, and it stands 112.5 feet tall and is 32,900 square feet in size.

From different points of view, the monument simultaneously looks like a cathedral, a palace, and a mosque. Indian architecture has been influenced by the many different religions in the country and the old styles of temples and Buddhist stupas.

The temples’ high entrances are heavily based on the designs on the entrances of the Sanchi Stupa and South Indian temples’ Gopurams. Sri Ramakrishna was born in the village of Kamarpukur, which has three domes that look like umbrellas. These domes remind people of the thatched roofs of the houses in that village. Figurines of the navagrahas are carved into latticework and put on the outside walls of the temples.

The Natmandir, or assembly hall, is connected to the main temple building. The central dome is based on the style of the European Renaissance, but the floor is shaped like the Holy Cross. The windows and hanging balconies are a mix of Mughal and Rajasthani styles. It looks like St. Peter’s church in Rome. Greek and Doric-style pillars line the hall, and the intricate designs on the beam and brackets above are the same as those at the Meenakshi temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

The path for Pradakshina, or walking around the Garbhamandir or sanctum sanctorum, is wide and beautiful. It looks like the paths around Buddhist Chaityas. Above the pillars of the east and west entrances to the temple are carvings of Hanuman and Ganesha, two Hindu gods who represent power and success, respectively. The top of the central dome is a golden Kalash, and underneath it is a lotus flower in full bloom.

Belur Math Darshan Timing

Major Festivals

In addition to medical care, education, and rural upliftment, Belur Math also organizes spiritual and cultural events here. In addition to all traditional Hindu festivals, including Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, and Saraswati Puja, Belur Math celebrates the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, and Swami Vivekananda. Also honored gravely are the birthdays of Sri Krishna, Buddha, Jesus Christ, and Chaitanya. The Christmas Eve festivities that begin with singing songs and Bible readings are stunning.

Other festivals are also celebrated at Vivekananda temple as per below

Darsan Dresscode

Nothing beyond modest attire is required in Belur Math.

How to Reach Belur Math

By Air

If you are flying to Belur Math, Kolkata, you must deplane at Netaji Subhash Chandra International Airport. After disembarking at the airport, you must travel the remaining distance via taxi or public transit.

By Train

Belur Math is located in Howrah’s northern region. It is 4 kilometers away from the Howrah train station. After disembarking at the train station, you may take public transportation such as a taxi.

By Road

Depending on your area, consider going along well-kept road networks. For this, you must use a taxi or charter a bus.

Location Map

Quick FAQ – Kolkata Belur Math