On the west bank of the Hooghly River in Howrah, West Bengal, Belur Math sits as a sacred shrine of worship dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a 19th-century mystic saint. Founded in 1897 by Swami Vivekananda, this temple is the heart of the Ramakrishna movement. It is notable for its architecture fuseing Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, and Christian art and motifs as a symbol of unity of all religions.
Notable Fact: The temple’s main shrine, built to resemble a temple, church, and mosque, reflects Ramakrishna’s vision of all religions uniting, with Vivekananda’s design making Belur Math the Ramakrishna Mission’s global hub.
Overview of Belur Math
Belur Math, in Howrah’s Belur area, is a vital spiritual center for the Ramakrishna Movement, mixing Hindu devotion with universal faith. Known for its 6-foot marble Ramakrishna statue, the 40-acre complex includes shrines for Sarada Devi and Vivekananda, a museum, and a river ghat. Swami Vivekananda returned to India from Colombo with a small group of disciples and started work on the two one at Belur, and the others at Mayavati, Almora, Himalayas called the Advaita Ashrama. Devotees offer incense and sweets, seeking wisdom and calm. Run by the Ramakrishna Mission since 1897, it hosts thousands during festivals.
History of Belur Math
Belur Math was founded by Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna’s disciple, in the beginning of 1897, when he arrived at Baranagar, Calcutta with his small group of Western disciples. Two monasteries were founded by him, one at Belur, which became the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission and the other at Mayavati on the Himalayas, in Champawat District, Uttrakhand, called the Advaita Ashrama. These monasteries were meant to receive and train young men who would eventually become sannyasis (religious ascetic) of the Ramakrishna Mission, and to give them a training for their work. The main shrine was completed in 1938, built with funds from devotees, costing over five lakhs, per mission logs. Ramakrishna, a priest at Dakshineswar, shaped its soul, with Vivekananda’s 1893 Chicago speech bringing global fame. A museum was added later in 1980.
Architecture of Belur Math
Belur Math, set on a 40-acre plot by the Hooghly, uses a mixed style with Hindu spires, Christian arches, and Islamic domes, showing faith as one. The design of the temple was envisioned by Swami Vivekananda and the architect was Swami Vijnanananda, a direct monastic disciple of Ramakrishna. The main entrance of the temple, has a facade influenced by Buddhist styles in the Buddhist stupa at Sanchi & the main entrance of the Ajanta Caves. The structure which rises over the entrance is modelled on the Hindu temples of South India with their lofty towers. The windows and balconies inside the temple draw upon the Rajput (Hindu) and Mughal (Islamic) style of north India. The central dome is derived from the Renaissance architecture of the Duomo of the Florence Cathedral. The ground plan is in the shape of Christian cross. The main shrine, 34 meters by 10 meters, built of chunar stone and concrete, holds a 6-foot Ramakrishna statue. Smaller shrines, 5 meters by 5 meters, honor Sarada Devi and Vivekananda. A ghat, 60 meters long, meets the river. The entry, a 10-meter-wide arch with lotus marks, opens to a paved yard, 4000 square meters, fit for thousands.
Sculptures of Belur Math
The temple’s heart is the 6-foot Ramakrishna statue, white marble, seated on a lotus over a damaru-shaped base, holding sacred relics. Sarada Devi’s statue, 4 feet, white marble, stands calm. Vivekananda’s statue, 5 feet, bronze, shows him in a robe. The main shrine’s walls carry 15 panels, 1 meter by 0.5 meters, with Ramakrishna’s life and Hindu tales, unpainted. The entry arch, 10 meters wide, has flower cuts.
Top Things to Do in Belur Math
Join Quiet Prayers: Attend evening aarti at 5:30 PM or sit in meditation in the main shrine, offering incense, seeking calm, free of cost.
Visit the Museum: Explore the Ramakrishna Museum, 100 meters north, with relics of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda, open 8:30 AM–5:30 PM, entry ₹20.
Walk the River Ghat: Step to the Hooghly ghat for a holy dip or silent rest, feeling the site’s sacred air.
Hear Monk’s Sermon: Join daily talks in the hall on Ramakrishna’s teachings, open to all, no charge.
Check the Bookstore: Stop at the mission’s bookstore near the gate for Vedanta books, costing ₹50–300.
Information for Travelers
How to Reach Belur Math, Howrah
In Belur, 7 km from Kolkata’s center, the temple is reached by ferry, taxi, bus, or train, set by the Hooghly River.
By Air
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport, Kolkata, 15 km away, connects to Delhi (2 hours), Mumbai (2.5 hours), Bangalore (2.5 hours). Taxis take 40 minutes.
By Train
Belur Math Railway Station, 1 km away, links to Howrah (9 minutes, ₹5). Autos or totos take 5 minutes, ₹15.
By Road
Belur ties to Kolkata (7 km, 20 minutes), Howrah (4 km, 15 minutes), Sealdah (10 km, 25 minutes) via NH-12. Buses (nos. 51, 54, 56) cost ₹22–35; taxis cost ₹150–400. Autos cost ₹10–30, no steps to enter.
Hours and Entry
Open daily, April–September: 6:00 AM–11:30 AM, 4:00 PM–7:00 PM; October–March: 6:30 AM–11:30 AM, 3:30 PM–6:00 PM. Free entry; bhog coupon donations vary, per devotee’s wish. No photos in the shrine. Wear clothes covering shoulders, knees; women in sarees or suits, men in kurtas or dhotis.
Best Time to Visit
October to March, 14–25°C, suits visits. Durga Puja (October) and Ramakrishna’s birthday (February) draw crowds; visit at dawn. Avoid April–June, 25–40°C, or rains for crowded paths.
Nearby Attractions
Dakshineswar Kali Temple, 2 km across the Hooghly, 1855 Kali shrine.
Adyapeath Temple, 3 km, Annapurna shrine with a 5-foot idol.
Howrah Bridge, 4 km, 1943 steel bridge over the river.
Victoria Memorial, 8 km, marble museum with British relics.
Indian Museum, 9 km, 1814 museum with ancient relics.
