The Ramakrishna Triangle- Where to Visit In and Around Belur Math
The first step to travel starts from the hometown
itself. My hometown is also home to the worldly known “Symphony in Architecture”,
Belur Math. Situated at an equal distance from both Belur Math and
Dakshineswar Temple, my house is easy to access.
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The Ramakrishna Triangle: An eclectic blend of architecture forming an ecclesiastical hierarchy. A
Trinity of Three Excellent Vintages and achieving spiritualism through services to humankind.
***
The Ramakrishna Triangle: Why and Where?
Ramakrishna Triangle, as the name suggests, refers to the architectures that are connected to Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Belur Math, the primary attraction here, is a blend of various architectural forms, courtesy Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda is a World known name for preaching brotherhood, was a disciple of Shri Ramakrishna. While the other vertices being the Dakshineswar Temple initiated by another disciple, Rani Rashmoni. Rani Rashmoni was also known for her benevolence amongst the people. The
third vertex of the triangle is Adyapeeth, initiated by another Shri Ramakrishna
devotee, Annada Thakur.
These three vintages stand on either side of the Ganges (river Hooghly), at Belur and Dakshineswar of West Bengal, India. All of the architectures are connected both connected by road and waterways. And the premises, especially Belur Math, practices and adheres to services to mankind.
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“বহুরূপে সম্মুখে তোমার, ছাড়ি কথা খুঁজিছ ঈশ্বর,
জীবে প্রেম করে যেই জন, সেই জন সেবিছে ঈশ্বর”
"Bohurupe
sammukhe tomar, chhari kotha khunjichho Ishwar,
Jibe prem
kore jei jon, sei jon sebichhe Ishwar"
[Where
are you looking for God, when he is in front of you in every living being, in
many different forms? Those who serve mankind (and any other living being) are
serving God]
***
A true symphony in architecture (Source:
Wikipedia). The main entrance of the temple has a facade influenced by Buddhist
styles in the Buddhist stupa at Sanchi and the main entrance of the Ajanta
Caves. The structure which rises over the entrance is modeled on the Hindu
temples of South India with their lofty towers. The windows and balconies
inside the temple draw upon the Rajput (Hindu) and Mughal (Islamic) style of
north India. The central dome is derived from the European architecture of St.
Maria-Del-Florence in Italy built during the Renaissance period. The three umbrella-like
domes on the top built in Rajput-Moghul styles give an idea of thatched roofs
of the village Kamarpukur. The Natmandira, the spacious congregational hall
attached to the sanctum, resembles a church, especially of St Peter's Church in
Rome. The pillars in a line on both sides are according to Doric or Greek
style. The beam above is held by decorative brackets similar to the Meenakshi
Temple at Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The elaborate designs on the pillars resemble
the Orissa style. The hanging balconies above the Natmandir and the windows
show the effect of Moghul architecture used in the Fatehpur Sikri. The broad
parikrama path for doing circular rounds on all sides of the
Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum) is built like Buddhist chaityas and Christian
Churches. The latticework statues of Navagraha figures are etched on
semi-circular top of outside the temple. The golden kalasha is placed on the
top of the temple and has a full-bloomed lotus below. The architecture of the
big dome and of the other domes show a shade of Islamic, Rajput, Bengali
terracotta and Lingaraj Temple styles. The entrance doors on both east and west
of the temple having pillars on both sides are like the elegant gateways of the
Manmandir in Gwalior Fort. Ganesha and Hanuman images, representing success and
power are carved above them.
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| Credits: Belur Math |
***
Swami
Vivekananda is known for his speech on the Universal Brotherhood of all Religion
and the same is reflected in the architecture of Belur Math. Before its
construction of the Math, he traveled far ends of the country to serve the
poor and sick; he also visioned building an institution inspired by different
architectural monuments. Thus Belur Math is thus an amalgamation of the different
architectural forms of different religious faith.
***
A true symphony in architecture (Source: Wikipedia).
Other institutes include Ramakrishna Museum (which
exhibits Panchabati’s Kalpa Taru) Swami Vivekananda temple, Sarada Devi Temple
and Brahmananda Temple, all aligned in series along the Ganges riverside. Other
important buildings include the handicraft products showroom and the Advaitya library is situated before entering the premises of the Math.
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Ma Sarada Mandir and Ramakrishna Sangraha Mandir
The breezy riverside also provides the view of the
other Gangetic shore and the launches and boats ferrying passengers to
Dakshineswar.
 |  |
Riverside views with Bally Bridge in the background.
***
The Math
celebrates Durga Puja annually and the Kumari Puja attracts many people.
Other occasions include Buddha Jayanti and Christmas Eve. Daily activities
include the Sandhya arati which is really soothing to the ears.
***
Reaching There and Journeying Around: Belur Math, Dakshineswar and Adyapeath
The journey to Dakshineswar from Belur Math can either be done
through the bus route or by ferry, the choice is yours. By bus Belurmath-Garia is
available every 15 min. And by ferry, launch services are available every 30 min. However,
frequent boat rides are available (locally known as Bhut Bhuti). The ferry
journey would include the river views of Bally Rashbari dedicated to Lord Krishna
and known for the grand celebration of Rashmela in the month of November.
Another ancient building of the area locally known as Bally Deshbandhu Club is
also, a delight to the eyes. The building is dedicated to the great leader of
modern Bengal, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das. You would be going underneath the
twin bridges of Nibedita and Vivekananda Setu on your ferry way to
Dakshineswar. Adyapeath is near at hand.
The view by the Ganges is breathtaking and hence I
would suggest a ferry-ride rather than by road.
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Belur Math as viewed from the Ganges
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| Bally Bridge |
Dakshineswar: The Abode of Dakshinewsari
Dakshineswar temple was built by Rani Rashmoni in
the traditional ‘Nava-Ratna’ or nine spires typical of the then Bengal
architecture. The temple is surrounded by twelve shrines of Lord Shiva. The
roof of the temple spires have been grooved artistically bearing a striking
resemblance to the Pirhas. It is a three-story, south-faced temple. A narrow
verandah is erected later, which serves as an audience-chamber and it is
attached to the sanctum sanctorum (Garbha Griha), which houses the goddess
Dakshina Kali, famously known as Bhavataraini. A huge spacious Natmandir
(Dancing hall) has been erected in front of the temple.
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| Dakshineswar |
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| The tomb of Dakshineswar Temple |
Adyapeath
Adyapeath is a little detour from the Dakshineswar
main temple. This is also a part of the Ramakrishna Sangha. The temple
premises include a number of small temples surrounding the Naatmandir which
opens for arati at a specific time of the day. The timings are from 10 am to 11 am in
the morning and 7 pm to 8 pm in the evening. During the Durga Puja i.e.
matripaksha the respective timings prepone by 30 minutes.
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| Adyapeeth Natmandir |
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| Adyapeeth Gate |
Where to Stay
Rashbari Garden House is well connected to all three vertices of
the triangle and itself a beauty and deserves to be called as the centroid of
the triangle.
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7 comments
Amazing Tips Jayashree,
ReplyDeleteWe appreciate your work and information. Thank You For sharing this useful post really this post is Awesome tips for travel to The Ramakrishna Triangle. Thanks for sharing. Keep Sharing.
I used to live in Kolkata when I was very little, and I had visited these sites a few times with my parents. Thanks to your post, not only was I able to recollect but also relive some of those memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful name for a city! “Symphony in Architecture!” I certainly see why! So enchanting!
ReplyDeleteThe architecture is truly stunning- especially at night when the sun casts a golden glow on everything!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch majestic buildings... looks like a truly captivating place to explore. Love the tranquil river scenes too. Thanks for the inspiration and great tips :)
ReplyDeleteIndia really has so many fascinating regions. I learn of new ones daily and yes, the architecture is just amazing.
ReplyDeleteI would have chosen the ferry too, I'm happy you opted for it and added some photos from the ride. I really hope to visit India one day, it seems amazing.
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