Belur Math: History, Activities, and Social Welfare Initiatives
Belur Math, sprawling over forty acres of land on the western bank of the Hooghly (Ganga), in Howrah district, an hour’s drive from Kolkata, is a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world professing different religious faiths. Even people not interested in religion come here for the peace it exudes.
Swami Vivekananda’s Legacy and Prophecy
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.”
True to his prophecy, Belur Math has become the hub of a worldwide spiritual movement known as the Ramakrishna Movement.
Sacred Temples and Spiritual Heritage
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. The headquarters of the worldwide twin organizations—Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission—are also situated here. An added attraction is the museum, which contains articles connected with the history of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. The lush green lawns and serene environment enhance the spiritual ambiance, making Belur Math a significant place of pilgrimage.
