Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Belur Math, Howrah !

Continued from the blog Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir, Kolkata! 
Belur Math, Howrah, W.B.

                When we reached near the Ferry Ghat (Named as Ma Bhabotarini Jetty Ghat) near the Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir, Kolkata!  we saw a ferry at the dock. We were going on the approach normally, enjoying and seeing around us and taking pictures. There is a bridge just beside it named Vivekanand Setu. Actually, there are two bridges side by side. It is the bridge for both road and railway. As we were walking towards the ferry slowly it began to give horn and someone said: "You should hurry up, that ferry is about to leave and just asking to come quickly". So we quickly walked towards it and got on to it. Soon it left the ghat and journey towards Belur Math began. The ferry ride was quite enjoying. We people residing far away from the coastal areas have rare opportunity to have a journey on waterways and when we get it, it feels too mesmerizing to explain. You can see small plants like water hyacinth floating with the current. And sometimes a bird will sit over it looking into the water for some food. As the ferry got farther from the ghat, the panoramic view of Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir, Kolkata!  looks so beautiful. We passed under the Vivekanand Setu. Took pictures of the temple and Setu. Everyone in the family was happy in this ferry journey. About three km downstream from the Dakshineswar Ghat on the opposite bank is the Belur Math ferry ghat. As the ferry neared the ghat we got a glimpse of attractive Math building. From the Ghat we proceeded in the lanes following the other people who knew the road to the Math. We found that we reached the side gate of the Math Campus. But the gate was closed and a few people were waiting outside. When our crowd of ferry reached there, it was jam-packed. We got to know that it was the lunchtime and we will have to wait for about 45 minutes. There was no place for sitting and passing this time was torturous. Most people sat on the ground on the roadsides near the gate and talked. So did us. 
The Two Bridges, New and the Old- Vivekanand Setu
When our ferry passed under them

              Anyhow the time passed and the gate opened. We entered the campus and what a lovely campus it was! The early January was a season of flowers and the well-nurtured flowers were abundant in the campus that added to the beauty of the campus. Near this gate were some small temples clean and beautiful. We were busy in taking pictures. Since the campus is situated on the bank of Hooghly river, a bathing ghat has been made near these temples. Sitting on the steps of this ghat and gazing the river gives a lot of happiness.  

The Belur Math Ghat, as seen from the Ferry


        From the Ghat we went to the main building. The Architecture and the color of this majestic building are awesome. The flower gardens in the front and on the sides were full of lovely flowers and added to its beauty. Tourists were busy taking pictures. We entered the main building. There is a big hall in which you can sit and be in Dhyana. It is a place where one can rise on the path of spirituality.




Flowers at Belur Math, Howrah

              The Belur Math is the headquarter of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. It was set up by Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and organized by Swami Vivekanand. This temple is the center of the Ramakrishna movement. Its architecture is the fusion of Hindu, Christian and Islamic motif. Thus signifying the unity of religions. It is spread in about 40 acres of land at the banks of River Hooghly. The temples are dedicated to Ramakrishna, Sharda Devi and Vivekananda. 

                 It was meant to train young men to become Sanyasis and serve society.  

Other Temples in the Campus of Belur Math, Howrah 

The Ramakrishna Mission is involved in various social activities. Many educational institutions are affiliated to it. It provides Medical services, work for women, rural uplift and work among backward classes. Belur Math has its own website which address is below:-  

https://belurmath.org/


          

The Belur Math- Like a dream Palace


      It is one of the major tourist attractions in Kolkata. It is also the top pilgrimage for the followers and devotees. Its location, campus, buildings, beauty and good management make it a place worth visiting many times. There is a facility of drinking water and washrooms in the campus. 


A picture taken on the ferry while going to Belur Math, Howrah

                From the morning we visited Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir, Kolkata! and Belur Math, Howrah. It was about 4:30 PM. We were tired now and need some rest. So decided to return. We exited from the main gate and decided to take a taxi to our hotel in Kolkata. The approach from the main road to the main gate is wide and on both sides stand many tall trees. Many pieces of information are given on the boards here.


A Bagula sitting on the floating Water Hyacinth plant waiting for food.
It just passed by on the side of the ferry on the way to the Belur Math.

       We dragged our feet to come to the main road. Get into the taxi and returned to the hotel with a lot of peace and happiness in our mind.

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Sunday, May 27, 2018

Amreshwardham, Angrabadi - A Shiva Temple near Ranchi

The self-appeared Amreshwara Shivalinga
at Angrabadi, Khunti, Jharkhand
             The Amreshwardham Temple is situated in the Khunti district of Jharkhand in the neighborhood of Ranchi district. Earlier it was known as Angrabadi Temple due to the name of the village near which it is situated. The Shivalinga here is situated under a Banyan Tree. It is said that the Shivalinga had appeared here by itself hundreds of year ago. Now a round-temple has been constructed around the Shivalinga but there is not a concrete roof over it. It is said that whenever it was tried to make a permanent roof, Shiva came in the dreams of local people and forbid it. Since the Banyan Tree has grown a big one and it is a habitat of many birds, to protect the devotees from bird-droppings a wire mesh has been placed as a roof and it is partly covered with transparent green fiber sheets around the trunk.
Maa Durga & Hanuman Temples and Yagyashala at Amreshwar Dham, Khunti, Jharkhand
             I had been here many times before and liked the place much. So when this Sunday our family planned for a devotional outing, I chose Amreshwardham mainly for the peaceful environment here. On Sunday, there is a heavy rush in the temples in the Ranchi town, like Pahari Mandir, Sri Jagannath Temple, and Venkateshwara Temple. And even out of Ranchi, the famous Deuri Mandir and the Chhinnamastika Temple attracts a crowd of devotees like a Mela. The Bhadrakali Temple of Itkhori and Maa Nagar Bhagawati Temples are a bit far away. Hence we decided to visit Amreshwardham.
             The place is situated on Ranchi-Khunti-Simdega road at about 50 km from Ranchi. We could leave our house after 09:30 AM. From Kutchery we took the Harmu bypass road to reach Dhurwa and Project Building and this road meets the Ranchi-Khunti road near a place called Hatia. The Ranchi-Khunti road is a National Highway. The road condition is very good. At a roundabout in Khunti, the right turn takes us to Khunti-Simdega road. From here ten kilometers ahead on the right side is the Shiva Temple of Amreshwardham. A welcome Gate is the landmark hear. It was 11:00 AM when we were in the temple. Now there are many temples here and the facilities have improved. We worshiped Baba Amreshwar. The Shivalinga is now covered with a sheet of brass and a railing is made around it. This temple is also very important for local Tribal people.
I remember a visit here when many such devotees called "Bhagatiya" were offering their Puja by rolling their bodies on the ground around the Shivalinga and the Banyan Tree. The Parvati and Ganesha Temples are near the Shiva Temple. When you come out of the Shiva temple there are Radha-Krishna Temple, Hanuman Temple, and Maa Durga Temple on the right side while Ram Darbar, Temple Management Building, and the Kali Temple are on the left. Near the Kali temple, a big Banyan tree and a big Peepal tree are there. Between these trees is a Hand pump in running condition. The potable and cold water machine is placed near the Kali temple. There is a board in front of Temple Management building stating the does and do nots. Also, there is a charge-list for different Sanskaras.    
The towering Maa Durga Temple at
Amreshwardham, Khunti, Jharkhand
               The Maa Durga temple is unique here. It is towering like a Minar. In 2015 I had written a review of this place on TripAdvisor and uploaded many photos including this Durga temple. The picture was fantastic and later I found some websites had copied and uploaded the same pictures without permission or giving due credit. 
           There are some Puja-Samagri shops on the main road near the Welcome Gate and one near the Radha-Krishna temple. There is a facility for lady's toilet, but you have to ask for their keys from the management committee which they give readily. After the Puja, we sat under the Banyan tree near the hand pump and had Prasada. Spent some time there with the family and came back to Ranchi.
          With a vehicle in your hand, the trip will be amazing on the wide and smooth roads that pass through the hills and the Jungles of the lovely Khunti District.
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