The Ramakrishna Mission is established based on the ideologies of Sri Ramakrishna of seeking god in man by helping the poor and by providing spiritual help to the restless souls to get comfort at the time of distress. The headquarters of the Ramakrishna Ashram is Ramakrishna Math, located at the Belur in Howrah district of West Bengal. The Ramakrishna Ashram or Belur Math is situated very close to Kolkata, which is well connected by road, train and air to the all-major cities of India as well as abroad.
Swami Vivekananda formed the Ramakrishna Ashram in the year 1897. He founded it as the non-preaching religious organisation that had two wings the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission. But both of the organizations work on the same philosophy of Ramakrishna Paramhansa to seek God in Man. The Ramakrishna movement was vast, which covered almost every corner of India and comprises of more than hundred and five centers in India. There are many centers abroad, including the countries like Argentina, Bangladesh, Canada, France, Fiji, Japan, Mauritius, Russia, Switzerland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The Ramakrishna Ashram opens early in the morning and remains closed between 12 noon to 4 pm and reopens in the afternoon at the time of evening prayers. The best time to explore the Belur Math is during the festivities like Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Ras Poornima celebrations at the month of September and October. However tourists also visit Belur Math between December to March and can participate in the celebration of Christmas, Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda`s birthday.
Ramakrishna Mission has also other wings. A School of Languages has been opened by the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture at Gol Park, Kolkata. The Vivekananda Study Circle (VSC) helps in the growth of young minds by holding meetings for people aged between sixteen to thirty years. It also encompasses a library that provides space for young aspirants to study and understands the way in which the Mission puts its ideals in practice. The institute also organises for youth convention in Kolkata and in rural areas.
The activities of Ramakrishna Ashrama at Belur starts quite early with the `Mangalarati` at 4 am, followed by the Japa and meditation at the Sri Ramakrishna Temple. This ceremony is held only by the monks and is not open for the public. This is held in the months of April to September. The Aarati takes place at 4.30 am from October to March. At 7 am fruit meal is offered to Ramakrishnadev as `bhog` and the first meal of the day is `Annabhog` that is prepared at 11 am. Again fruit meal is offered at 3 pm. The visitors can also have `bhog` to satisfy their hunger but they have to book meals or `bhog` by purchasing coupons. The evening aarti helds 22 minutes after the sunset and this is followed by prayers that is opened to all. The final bhog of the day is offered at 8 pm.
Located on the banks of the Ganges River, Ramakrishna Ashram is one of the most serene spots around Kolkata. The temple exhibits some of the finest style in temple architecture, a trend that combined elements of a church, mosque and a temple. The Belur Math has been founded on the basis of the need of a permanent monastic base. The Belur Math comprises of a temple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, which is separated by a transparent glass cover, an Old Temple where daily worship of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa used to be performed which is still there, Swami Vivekananda`s room that is located adjacent to the old temple, the temple of Swami Brahmananda, a temple dedicated to Holy Mother Sarada Devi, the two storied temple of Swami Vivekananda, the "Samadhi Peetha", and the Ramakrishna Museum.
To build the temple of Ramkrishna, it took a period of 4 years, which was funded by an American disciple of Swami Vivekananda named Ms. Hellen Rubel. Vivekananda popularised and glorified Indian culture that is why foreigners got interested in the religious happenings of the Math. The temple of Sarada Devi was made where she was cremated. Swami Vivekananda`s temple looks magnificent in size and splendor, and that too has been built where he was cremated. The Samadhi Peetha contains the `samadhi` of the seven foremost disciples of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa who were also cremated there itself. The Museum caters to the inquisitive needs of people who want to know about Ramakrishna and his teachings. Articles used by him are also displayed over there.
The Ramakrishna Ashram is an ideal place for contemplation and spiritual regeneration. Studies of Vedanta form a primary concern among the monks and it is also encouraged. Vivekananda`s efforts of making Vedanta popular universally are still on and Universities around the world have also got interested in the Math for further knowledge and information. The monks of the Ramakrishna Ashram lead a disciplined life adept in the art of "Right Living & Right Action", which has been made archaic by the modern day. Therefore, the Belur Math is an ideal destination for our inner well-being and peace.
In the world of uncertainty and rush this peaceful locale provides an atmosphere to unwind in a spiritualistic way that has healing properties. Many people flock to the Math premises, which is in itself a wonderful specimen of art and architecture and upholder of a legacy carried through the years. It still functions and in a more Global fashion and many programs annually are being held which attracts many. All Hindu festivals including birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and the first twelve disciples of Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa are celebrated every year, along with the day when these souls ascended the heavenly abode. This day is marked as a tribute with silent prayers, meditation and devotional songs within the premises of Ramakrishna Ashram. All these lend a special tint of solemnity to the Ramakrishna Ashram, which has survived the ravages of time and transformations of civilization.
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