🛕 Shri Shri Matri Mandir, Joyrambati
Shri Shri Matri Mandir is a revered temple located in Joyrambati, a serene village in the Bankura district of West Bengal, India. This sacred site marks the birthplace of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, the spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. The temple stands as a symbol of spiritual heritage and is a significant pilgrimage destination for devotees worldwide.
🏛️ History & Significance
- Established: The temple was dedicated on April 19, 1923, by Swami Saradananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya.
- Sacred Site: Built precisely on the spot where Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi was born in 1853.
- Relics: The temple enshrines sacred relics of the Holy Mother, and the adjacent thatched cottages where she lived are preserved as sacred memorials.
🕒 Temple Timings
| Season | Morning Hours | Afternoon Hours | Evening Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| April – September | 5:30 AM – 11:00 AM | 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Discourses & Bhajans after Sandhya Arati until 8:30 PM |
| October – March | 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM | 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Discourses & Bhajans after Sandhya Arati until 8:00 PM |
Mangalarati: 4:00 AM (April – September), 4:30 AM (October – March)
Nitya Puja: 7:00 AM
Bhog Offering: 11:00 AM
Closed: 11:35 AM – 4:00 PM (April – September), 11:35 AM – 3:30 PM (October – March)
Vespers: According to sunset
Discourses & Bhajans: After Sandhya Arati until 8:30 PM (April – September), until 8:00 PM (October – March)
Office Timings: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM & 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (April – September), 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM & 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM (October – March)
🗺️ How to Reach
- By Train: Take a train from Howrah Station to Goghat Station. From Goghat, Joyrambati is approximately a 20-minute journey by car or auto-rickshaw.
- By Road: Joyrambati is about 103 km from Kolkata. You can hire a private car from Kolkata via Tarakeshwar or Dankuni. State transport buses also operate from Kolkata, taking approximately 4 to 5 hours to reach Joyrambati.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. From the airport, Joyrambati is approximately a 3 to 4-hour drive .
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Puratan Bari (Old House): The ancestral home where Holy Mother lived from 1863 to 1915.
- Nutan Bari (New House): Built in 1915-16 to accommodate the increasing number of devotees.
- Amodar Ghat & Mayer Ghat: Sacred bathing spots on the Amodar River, where the Holy Mother used to bathe and meditate.
- Singhabahini Temple: A temple dedicated to Goddess Singhabahini, worshipped by the Holy Mother.
- Shihar Village: Located 3 km from Joyrambati, it’s the residence of Shri Hridayram Mukhopadhyaya, the nephew of Sri Ramakrishna .
🛏️ Accommodation
Joyrambati offers modest guesthouses and lodges for pilgrims. For more comfortable accommodations, nearby towns like Bishnupur and Kamarpukur have better facilities.
📅 Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to visit Joyrambati is during the winter months (October to February) when the weather is pleasant. Avoid the monsoon season (July to September) due to heavy rainfall.
Shri Shri Matri Mandir in Joyrambati is not just a temple but a spiritual haven that offers peace and solace to devotees. Its rich history, serene environment, and spiritual significance make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a deeper connection with the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi.
