Belur Math, Kolkata - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 7 km from Howrah Junction and 14 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Belur Math is a popular temple and institute located on the western bank of River Hooghly in Kolkata. It is one of the significant institutions in Kolkata and among the must include places in Kolkata Packages.

Beluṛ Maṭh in Kolkata is a place of pilgrimage and also the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vijnanananda, a brother-monk of Swami Vivekananda and one of the monastic disciples of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, laid the foundation stone of Ramakrishna Temple in the year 1935. The massive construction was handled by Martin Burn & Co. This temple has become the hub of the Ramakrishna Movement. The Belur Math is visited by people from all over the world, irrespective of the religion. The people who are not interested in religion also come to Belur Math to experience and appreciate the peace that it diffuses into the environment, and ultimately into the inner soul.

Sprawling over 40 acres of land, the temple is notable for its architecture that fuses Christian, Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist art motifs as a symbol of unity of all religions. The high entrance of the temple is like a South Indian Gopuram and the pillars on both sides represent Buddhist architectural style. The three umbrella-like domes on the top built-in Rajput-Moghul styles. The circular portion of the entrance is an intermingling of Ajanta style with Hindu architecture. Just above seen is a replica of a Shiva lingam. The central dome is derived from European architecture of St. Maria-Del-Florence in Italy built during the Renaissance period. The ground plan is in the shape of a Christian cross. A full-size statue of Sri Ramakrishna is seated on a hundred petalled lotus over a damaru shaped marble pedestal in the main sanctum.

The nat mandir, the spacious congregational hall attached to the sanctum, resembles a church, especially of St Peter's Church in Rome. The beam above is held by decorative brackets similar to the Meenakshi Temple at Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The elaborate designs on the pillars resemble the Orissa style. The hanging balconies above the nat mandir and the windows show the effect of Moghul architecture used in the Fatehpur Sikri. The broad parikrama path for doing circumambulatory rounds on all sides of the sanctum sanctorum is built like Buddhist chaityas and Christian Churches. The golden kalasha is placed on the top of the temple and has a full-bloomed lotus below.

Apart from the main temple, the campus of the Belur Math also has temples dedicated to Sarada Devi, Swami Brahmananda and Swami Vivekananda, in which their relics are enshrined. Vivekananda Temple has been established in the year 1924 on the same spot where the monk was cremated in 1902. The campus also houses a Museum which hosts artifacts used by Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda, and some of his disciples. Several educational institutions affiliated with the Ramakrishna Mission are situated in the vast campus adjacent to Belur Math.

Durga Pooja and Kumari Pooja are the festivals celebrated here with great pomp and show. The tradition of Kumari puja was started by Vivekananda in 1901. Belur Math is actively involved in conducting social work throughout the country.

Belur Math Timings: 8.30 AM - 11.30 AM & 4 PM - 5.30 PM

Belur Math Museum Timings: 8.30 AM - 11.30 AM & 4 PM - 5.30 PM, Closed on every Monday

Entry: Free