Belur Math, West Bengal

Belur Math (monastery) in West Bengal was founded by Hindu Monk Swami Vivekananda, who was the chief disciple of Sage Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Located in the west bank of Hooghly River in Belur, it is considered as the headquarters of Sri Ramakrishna mission and math. The architecture of this temple is a blend of Hindu, Christian and Islamic styles. This famous math (monastery) was built in the year 1898.

Belur Math was one out of the two monasteries founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897. There are several educational institutions affiliated with Ramakrishna mission situated within the vast campus of Belur Math. The whole campus covers an area of 40 acres in which there are temples dedicated to Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.

The Ramakrishna temple in Belur Math resembles a temple, church and a mosque if you look from different angles. The height of the temple is 112.5 ft and covers a total area of 32,900 sq.ft. The Belur Math is a well-known tourist spot and pilgrimage centre near Kolkata.

There is a full size statue of Sri Ramakrishna placed above a marble structure which has been created with great artistic brilliance. Besides, there is a museum dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna also located in the complex. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, ex-president of India regarded this Math as a place of national importance.