What this tour is about: This is a 4-hour excursion to two great centres of cultural and philosophical importance –Dakshineshwar and Belur Math.

Dakshineshwar is a spectacular Kali temple, visited by thousands of pilgrims. Built in the mid-1800’s, this temple’s centrepiece is a navaratna, or nine-turret shrine to the Goddess Kali.  It also has 12 atchala temples dedicated to Shiva. It is famous as the location where the widely revered spiritual guru Ramakrishna Paramahansa lived and served as priest.

Ramakrishna’s disciple Swami Vivekananda set up Ramakrishna Mission, a philanthropic volunteer organisation. Belur Math, the headquarters of this organisation is located across the river from Dakshineshwar. The Belur Math is serene and its philosophy of religious harmony is inspiring. Even more inspiring are the various charitable initiatives that they run.

Both monuments can be reached by car, but there are also local boats which ply between the two monuments. Boats do not have adequate safety provisions, so please take a look and see if you’d like to use those.  Going by boat provides scenic views from the river and allows you to photograph the Belur Math (where otherwise photography is prohibited).