Balaram Mandir

বলরাম মন্দির

The house where the Ramakrishna Mission was founded in 1897.

About Balaram Mandir

This was the home of Balaram Bose, a householder disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, who visited the house many times. After his death the young monks were always welcome here, and on 1 May 1897 Swami Vivekananda called the meeting in this house at which the Ramakrishna Mission was founded. It is now a branch of the Ramakrishna Math with a shrine in the rooms Ramakrishna used.

Why visit

The room where an organisation that now works across the world began.

What to see and do

The hall where the Mission was founded
The shrine rooms
The old house’s courtyard and verandas

Plan your visit

Area: Bagbazar, North Kolkata
Nearest landmark: Girish Avenue, Bagbazar
Best time: Morning or evening. October to March is the most comfortable time of year.
Time needed: About 30 minutes
Cost: Free
Entry: An active place of worship that admits visitors; its own rules apply. A working monastery open to visitors at set hours.
Metro: Shyambazar or Sovabazar Sutanuti (Blue Line)
Walking: Little walking
Photography: Photography is restricted.

Nearby and related places

Mayer Bari (Udbodhan House): The house where Sarada Devi lived, kept as a shrine.
Sister Nivedita’s House: The lane house where an Irish woman opened a school for girls in 1898.
Bagbazar Ghat: A wide northern ghat with a long view down the river.
Sovabazar Rajbari: The palace of Raja Nabakrishna Deb, and a Durga Puja kept since 1757.
Hatibagan Market: North Kolkata’s pavement market for saris, clothes and everything else.
Kumartuli: The lanes where the city’s gods are made from river clay.

More guides

Last checked on 2026-10-02. Each place was checked to exist and its position confirmed. Timings, closing days and ticket prices are shown only where known and can change: confirm before you travel.