Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are worldwide, non-political, non-sectarian spiritual organizations which have been engaged in various forms of humanitarian and social service activities for more than a century. Inspired by the ideals of renunciation and service, the monks and lay devotees of the Math and Mission serve millions of men, women and children, without any distinction of caste, religion or race, because they see the living God in them.
The organizations were brought into existence by Sri Ramakrishna (1836–1886), the great 19th-century saint from Bengal who is regarded as the Prophet of the Modern Age, and his chief disciple Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902), one of the foremost thinkers and religious leaders of the present age. Although Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are legally and financially separate, they are closely interrelated in several ways and are regarded as twin organizations.
These twin organizations have set in motion a non-sectarian, universal spiritual movement which has been silently working for more than a hundred years to catalyze the spiritual regeneration of humanity.
Vedanta — The Catalyst
The chief catalyst in this ongoing transformation is India’s ancient religious philosophy known as Vedanta. Although several other systems of philosophy arose in India at different times, they were confined to small groups. Vedanta alone has remained the dominant philosophy of India’s religious tradition from Vedic times to the present day.
In modern times this ancient system of thought has been purified, unified and energized by Sri Ramakrishna, and expounded in the modern idiom by Swami Vivekananda — thus made available to all people all over the world without any distinctions of caste, creed or race.
Our Approach
The Ramakrishna Order does not believe in conversion, nor does it indulge in the occult or the sensational. The Order places utmost importance on personal spiritual unfoldment and selfless service. Inspired by the idea of the harmony of all faiths, its centres encourage adherents of different faiths to meet in a spirit of friendship and mutual appreciation, and to learn from one another without having to give up one’s own faith.
“God has made different religions to suit different aspirants, lives and countries … all doctrines are only so many paths; but a path is by no means God Himself. Indeed one can reach God if one follows any of the paths with whole-hearted devotion.”
— Sri Ramakrishna
Motto, Ideals & Headquarters
Motto
ātmāno mokṣārthaṃ jagat hitāya ca
“For one’s own salvation and for the welfare of the world.” Formulated by Swami Vivekananda.
Ideals
Work as worship, the potential divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions are three noteworthy ideals on which these organizations are founded — sustaining hospitals, schools, mobile medical units, rural development centres and many other social service institutions.
Headquarters
Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal — sprawling over forty acres on the western bank of the river Hooghly (Ganga), an hour’s drive from Kolkata.
“This Math that we are building will harmonise all creeds, all standpoints. Just as Shri Ramakrishna held highly liberal views, this Math too will be a centre for propagating similar ideas. The blazing light of universal harmony that will emanate from here will flood the whole world.”
— Swami Vivekananda · Complete Works, Vol. 7, p. 115
A Worldwide Movement
295
Branch Centres Worldwide
226
Centres in India
69
In 24 Other Countries
As of 1 February 2026. For more information about the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission — ideology, activities, and various centres — visit belurmath.org