Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal

Introduction to the Belur Math

The headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Mission is the Belur Math. It is on the west bank of the Hooghly River in Kolkata. This Hindu monastery celebrates all faiths equally. People from across the world visit Belur Math for spiritual fulfilment. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former Indian President, had cited the Belur Math as a place of heritage and national importance. It is a place of immense historical significance and architectural marvels.

History of the Belur Math

Swami Vivekananda and his fellow monks started building monasteries in India to spread the teachings and vision of their guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. In January 1897, Swami Vivekananda returned from Colombo with a small group of Western disciples.

He started two monasteries, one at Belur, which later became the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, and the other in Mayavati, Uttarakhand. These monasteries aimed to train young men who were passionate about becoming monks. Swami Vivekananda spent his last few years of life at Belur Math.

He traveled across India and other parts of the world and got ideas from the Gothic, Renaissance, Doric, Medieval, and Modern styles of buildings. The Taj Mahal, the Fatehpur Sikri palaces, the Rajput palaces, and the temples of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Orissa, and other South Indian states attracted him.

Swami Vijnanananda was a civil engineer before becoming a monk. He got ideas from Swami Vivekananda to design the Belur Math building.

Swami Vivekananda consecrated the ground by worshipping the urn that had the holy relics of Sri Ramakrishna in 1898. On this occasion, Swami uttered some prophetic words. Accordingly, Belur Math has become the hub of spiritual movements and a gathering point for all genuine seekers of spirituality.

The Architecture of the Belur Math

The Belur Math sprawls over forty acres of land. It is built of chunar stone and concrete. This is 112.5 feet tall and spread over 32,900 square feet. The main architect of the Belur Math was Swami Vijnanananda, a student of Ramakrishna. The main idea behind the place and the way it was built came from Swami Vivekananda.

Its architectural style fuses Christian, Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist art motifs. The high entrance of the Belur Math is similar to a South Indian Gopuram, and the pillars on both sides represent the Buddhist architectural style. The Navagrahas are carved into the latticework, which is on the outside walls of the temples. The three domes of the temple remind one of the thatched roofs of the village houses.

The circular portion of the entrance is a blend of Ajanta style with Hindu architecture. The central dome features a European architectural style. The ground plan is in the shape of a Christian cross.

The full-size statue of Sri Ramakrishna sits on a hundred-petal lotus over a damaru-shaped marble pedestal in the sanctum of the Belur Math.

The congregational hall attached to the sanctum resembles a church. Intricate designs on the pillars mimic the Orissa style. The hanging balconies above the hall and windows evoke Moghul architecture. The circumambulatory path on the sides of the sanctum replicates Buddhist Chaityas and churches. Visitors can see a golden Kalash at the top of the central dome with a full-bloomed lotus below.

Sara Devi, Swami Brahmananda, and Swami Vivekananda have separate shrines where their relics are enshrined. Vivekananda temple was established in 1924 on the same spot where he was cremated in 1902.

The Belur Math campus also houses a Museum that hosts artefacts used by Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda, and some of his disciples. Many educational institutions affiliated with the Ramakrishna Mission are on the vast campus adjacent to Belur Math. It is actively involved in conducting social work throughout the country.

Belur Math organizes spiritual and cultural events besides medical care, education, and rural upliftment.

Festivals in the Belur Math

Durga Pooja and Kumari Pooja are the famous festivals celebrated in the Belur Math with great pomp and show. Swamy Vivekananda started the tradition of Kumari Pooja in 1901.

Kali Pooja, Durga Pooja, Lakshmi Pooja, and Saraswati Pooja, birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Krishna, Buddha, Jesus Christ, and Chaitanya are grandly celebrated at the Belur Math. The Christmas Eve festivities begin with songs and Bible readings.