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  Belur Math WestBengal

 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

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.  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.

Places To See                                                                                    1. Sri Ramakrishna Temple : Originally conceived by Swami Vivekananda, this temple was dedicated on 14 January 1938. It enshrines the sacred relics of Sri Ramakrishna. Architecturally, this temple has an important place among the modern temples of India. It incorporates the motifs of various religions, thus symbolizing the harmony of religions taught by Sri Ramakrishna 

2. The Old Shrine: It is situated to the north-east of Sri Ramakrishna Temple. This was the original shrine, where daily worship was conducted from January 1899 till the new temple was consecrated. This shrine awakens the hallowed memory of Swami Vivekananda and other direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna who used to worship, meditate and sing devotional songs here.

3. Swami Vivekananda’s Room: To the southeast of the old shrine stands Swami Vivekananda’s room. In this room, the great Swami lived, and here he attained Mahasamadhi on 4 July 1902. Most of the articles preserved in this room were used by him at different places and times. In the courtyard in front of this room stands a mango tree under which Swamiji used to sit on a camp cot and meet visitors and devotees.

4. Swami Brahmananda Temple : Swami Brahmananda (1863-1922), whose place among the sixteen monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna is only next to that of Swami Vivekananda, was the first President of the Math and the Mission. The temple, which stands on the spot where Swami Brahmananda's body was cremated, was dedicated in 1924.

5. Holy Mother Temple: Overlooking the wide bathing ghat stands the temple of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi (1853-1920). The temple, built on the spot where her mortal remains were consigned to flames in 1920, was consecrated on 21 December 1921. Since the Mother loved the Ganga, her temple faces this sacred river.

6. Swami Vivekananda Temple : The temple stands on the spot where Swami Vivekananda’s mortal remains were cremated in 1902. Consecrated on 28 January 1924, the temple has in its upper storey an alabaster OM (in Bengali characters). Beside the temple stands a bel (bilva) tree in the place of the original bel tree under which Swami Vivekananda used to sit and near which, according to his wish, his body was cremated.

7. The Samadhi Enclosure : The earthly remains of seven of the sixteen direct monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna were cremated here. Their names are engraved on the marble plaque which stands on this spot.

8. The Old Math: The place originally belonged to one Nilambar Mukherjee and was known as Nilambar Mukherjee’s garden-house. It stands further south on the bank of the Ganga. Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi stayed here several times before the Belur Math came into existence. On the first floor terrace of the house, she performed panchatapa, ‘five-fire austerity’ in 1893. Since the Ramakrishna Math was located in this house from 13th February 1888 to 1st January 1899 before it was permanently shifted to the present premises, it is known as the Old Math.

9 Ramakrishna Museum:  In this Museum articles and artifacts closely associated with Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda and other direct disciples of the Master have been exhibited.

Visiting Hours Of Belur Math                                                            

April to September : 6.00 to 11.30 a.m. & 4.00 to 7.00 p.m.

October to March : 6.30 to 11.30 a.m. & 3.30 to 6.00 p.m.

Address Of the Belur Math : Ramkrishna Math & Ramkrishna Mission ,Belur Math , Howrah , West Bengal ,India