Belur cruise

[Guest guest]

Down the river of time

Calcutta, June 11

(Press Trust of India)

Down the waters of the Ganga on a luxury cruise, the pilgrim can

now travel back to the glorious era of Bengal's awakening under

the spiritual influence of Sri Ramakrishna and Vivekananda at

Belur.

The first `Ganga heritage cruise' conducted by Vivada Inland

Waterways Ltd., in collaboration with the West Bengal Ministry of

Surface Transport, was inaugurated today to facilitate foreign

and domestic tourists to pay tribute to the hallowed memory of

the great souls.

The 6 km riverine route to the Ramakrishna Mission headquarters

at Belur in Howrah district will be a journey down the forgotten

waterways of the `bajras' (luxury boats) of the zamindars of yore

or that of the Portuguese `caravos' or the versatile `Indiamen'

of the English East India Company.

Along the banks of the river, the tourist can savour the

architectural splendour of the ghats and heritage buildings and

witness Bengal's pioneering industrial efforts of the late 19th

century.

The State's Minister of Surface Transport, Subhas Chakraborty,

speaking as the chief guest, said both banks of the river were

replete with heritage sites, the chief among them being the

historic Belur Math, a major attraction for foreign tourists.

Piecemeal efforts had so far been made to enable tourists to

visit Belur by road but this would be the first by river,

ensuring hassle-free travel, he said.

Swami Prabhananda Maharaj, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission

Institute of Culture, said Belur Math was a special destination

for tourists and the river project was the first direct link

between the metropolis and Belur.

 

 

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