RamaKrishna Ashram

Address
Belur Math Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission
P.O. Belur Math,
District: Howrah,
West Bengal-711202,
India.

Location
Calcutta is well connected by road, train and air to all the major cities in India as well as abroad. Belur is easily accessible by road or train from Howrah station.

The Ramakrishna Mission
The Mission preaches the ideologies of Sri Ramakrishna of seeking god in man by rendering service to the needy, poor by giving spiritual help to the restless in search of comfort. The Mission was formed by Swami Vivekananda in 1897, founded a non- preaching religious organization that had two wings -- the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission. Both of these organizations embody Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa's philosophy of seeking God in man.

About the Centres
The Ram Krishna Mission has more than 105 centers of the Ramakrishna Movement all over India. Abroad, there are centers in Argentina, Bangladesh, Canada, Fiji, France, Japan, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

It is advisable to reach the ashram early in the morning, since the ashrams and the temples at Belur are closed to devotees between 12 noon and 4 pm and then again after the evening prayers. The best times to explore the Belur Math are from September to October during the Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Ras Poornima celebrations. However, if tourists visit the ashram between December and March, they can enjoy the Christmas celebrations and the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda.

Courses
A School of Languages has been opened by the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture at Gol Park, Calcutta. The Vivekananda Study Circle (VSC) promotes the growth of young minds by holding meetings for people between 16 to 30 years old. It provides space for youngsters to study, how the ideals of the Mission are put into practice. It also organizes youth conventions not only in Calcutta, but in rural areas as well.

Activities at the Ashrams
The activities starts at 4 am by a mangalarati that is held, followed by japa and meditation at the Sri Ramakrishna temple. This ceremony is held only for the monks and not open to the public.This activity is held between April and September. Followed by the aarati that takes place at 4.30 am from October to March. At 7 am, fruit is offered as bhog while the first meal of the day or annabhog is ready at 11 am. Again at 3 pm, fruit is offered. Visitors can satisfy there hunger by booking meals or 'bhog' at the ashram by purchasing coupons that have no fixed value The evening aarti takes place 22 minutes after sunset. This is followed by prayers that all can attend. At 8 pm, bhog is offered.