- After the passing away of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna Deva in 1886, Swami Vivekananda and other disciples of Sri Ramakrishna Deva were in search of a shelter.
The Shelter- 'A Dilapidated Garden House' (proclaimed as haunted) at Baranagar, North Kolkata owned by the Zamindar family of Taki, Dist. 24 Parganas, was taken on rent and there grew a Monastery.
Swami Vivekananda and His brother-disciples used to undergo deep meditation (Tapasya) every day and night braving unprecedented penury and privation for more than 5 years from 1886 to 1892 in this 'dilapidated and haunted house' which is called the first monastery - 'Baranagar Math'.
It was from this monastery that Swamiji and many of his brother-monks set out on pilgrimage all over India and Tibet Moreover, Swamiji, while on such a pilgrimage, sailed to the USA to participate in the World Religious Congress at Chicago.
The Baranagar Math was shifted to Alambazar area first, then to Nilambar Mukherjee's Garden House on the west bank of the River Ganga, adjacent to the present Belur Math Ferry Ghat, Howrah, and finally to 'Belur Math' as Head Quarters of Ramakrishna Order founded by Swami Vivekananda.
In fact, Baranagar Math is the genesis of the present 'Belur Math of Ramakrishna Order' having 210 branches all over India and abroad.
The old 'Baranagar Math' building crumbled to dust in course of time (1897) and gradually went into oblivion
The land of that Garden House had changed its hands, and many buildings, shops and slums sprang up in course of time.
After 81 years, a Society named "Baranagar Math Samrakshan Samity" was formed by a section of the local people on 25th January 1973 under the guidance of Revered Swami Ramanandaji, Maharaj, a senior monk of the Order.
Baranagar Math Samrakshan Samity occupied a small portion of the garden where the historical monastery had been situated.
Service activities like Charitable Homoeopathic Dispensary and Free Coaching Centre were started in a small scale by the Samrakshan Samity.
Other activities like, Non-Formal School (Gadadhar Sishu Vikas Kendra), Free Coaching Centre (Swami Vivekananda Charitable Coaching Centre) for local students living in slums, Regular Religious discourses, and General Library also started gradually.
Baranagar Math Samrakshan Samity handed over their possession to the "Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math" in October 2001.
Belur Math Management (Hqrs.) instructed another branch centre of the Headquarters, "Ramakrishna Mission, Baranagar" to take care of the centre.
The Governing Body and the Board of Trustees of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math decided to develop this as a "Branch Centre of the Hqrs." because of its Spiritual Heritage and Historical Importance.
On 6th January, 2004, it assumed the status of an official branch centre of the Belur Math.
Thus 'Ramakrishna Math, Baranagar' emerged taking its cue from its glorious past.
Swami Vamanananda was appointed first Adhyaksha of 'Ramakrishna Math' Baranagar. He is still continuing.
