Belur Math, Monastery in Howrah, India
Belur Math is a monastery complex in Howrah on the banks of the Hooghly River in India, spreading across roughly 40 acres. The site includes several temples, manicured gardens, and quiet areas for meditation and contemplation.
Swami Vivekananda founded the monastery in the late 19th century as headquarters for the Ramakrishna Mission. The complex became the starting point for spreading Vedanta philosophy and spiritual education across India and worldwide.
The complex takes its name from the village where it stands and shows architecture that merges different religious traditions into a single structure. Inside the central temple, monks and visitors gather daily for shared prayers and chanting.
Local trains and buses bring visitors to the entrance, which sits within walking distance from the riverbank. The site opens daily in the morning and closes in the evening, with temples feeling especially calm during prayer times.
A marble statue in the main temple can appear different depending on where visitors stand, representing various religious figures. The monks at the site wear saffron robes and follow strict rules of celibacy and renunciation.
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