Mother

Updated April 5, 2026

Mother House in Kolkata, India, is the global headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity and a place of pilgrimage for those honoring the legacy of Mother Teresa.

What to Expect

You visit the headquarters of the religious order founded by Mother Teresa. The site functions as a holy place for reflection and reverence. Visitors can see the simple room where Mother Teresa lived and worked, which has been preserved. Her tomb is also located here, serving as a focal point for quiet contemplation. This attraction is often included on full-day sightseeing tours of Kolkata that explore the city’s spiritual and cultural landmarks.

History & Significance

Mother House was the operational center for Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation established in 1950. The organization is renowned for its work caring for the destitute and dying. The house itself is intrinsically linked to her life’s work and remains the administrative heart of the global charitable order she founded.

Practical Information

The address is International Finance Centre, 6th & 5th Floor, Biswa Bangla Sarani in Kolkata. The attraction holds a 4.4/5 rating. It is frequently paired with a visit to the nearby Kalighat Kali Temple and the Nirmal Hriday home. For a comprehensive experience, many visitors book a private guided tour that includes hotel pickup and a customized itinerary covering this and other city landmarks.

Location

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In the heart of Kolkata, there’s a building that doesn’t really look like much from the outside, but don’t let that fool you. The Mother House at 54A, A.J.C. Bose Road draws people from all over, and it’s not because of flashy signs or some over-the-top tourist hype.

This quiet spot is the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity—yep, the real deal, where Mother Teresa lived for nearly fifty years. Her tomb is here too, tucked away in a space that feels almost untouched by time, and stepping inside gives you this rare, honest glimpse into where she spent her days.

You walk in off the noisy street, and suddenly it’s like you’re in another world. Mother Teresa’s tiny living quarters are still there on the first floor, just as she left them.

There’s a small museum attached, packed with her personal items—handwritten notes, a few well-worn saris, and awards that only hint at the scale of her work.

The Mother House isn’t open all day, so you’ll want to plan ahead. Doors open from 8:30 to noon, then again from 3 to 6 in the afternoon, but don’t try your luck on Thursdays—they’re closed.

It’s still an active religious community, with over 4,500 Sisters carrying on her mission, so expect a calm, contemplative vibe. Oh, and about photos: rules are pretty strict, so double-check before you snap anything.

Key Takeaways

• The Mother House is where Mother Teresa lived from 1953 until 1997, and her tomb is right here in Kolkata.
• There’s a small but meaningful museum with her belongings, letters, and awards, plus her preserved living quarters.
• Visiting hours are split between morning and afternoon, closed Thursdays, and the place is still very much alive with the Missionaries of Charity.

About Mother House

Mother House sits at 54A, A.J.C. Bose Road in Kolkata. This is the global headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity and the final resting place of Mother Teresa.

Since 1953, the building’s welcomed visitors from around the world—people who want to connect with her legacy, or maybe just stand for a moment where she once stood.

History and Significance

Mother Teresa moved here in February 1953. She lived in a plain little room on the first floor, where she prayed, worked, and steered the Missionaries of Charity as it grew from a handful of Sisters to thousands.

The congregation itself started in 1950, a Roman Catholic order that’s spread across the globe. What began as one woman’s mission now includes about 4,500 Sisters, all working with people most of the world forgets.

After she passed away, her tomb was placed on the ground floor. You can visit, pay your respects, and see the museum next door—opened in 2005—where her belongings and handwritten letters are on display.

What Makes It Special

The building is humble, almost shockingly so, given its importance. That’s part of the magic, honestly—it’s a place that feels true to Mother Teresa’s belief in simplicity.

Her actual living quarters are sparse, just a bed and a desk, and it’s a little jarring to see how little she needed. The museum, though small, has some surprises: coins and stamps with her face, paintings called “Visions of Love,” and letters that let you peek into her private thoughts.

You can visit most days between 8:30 a.m. and noon, then again from 3 to 6 p.m.—just don’t turn up on a Thursday. The Sisters still live and work here, so you’re stepping into a living, breathing community, not just a relic.

What to See and Do

Kolkata’s a city of layers—colonial buildings, spiritual sites, and green spaces that always seem to have a story or two up their sleeve. The city’s mood shifts with the hour: river ghats at dawn, packed markets by noon, and something entirely different by night.

Main Attractions and Highlights

Victoria Memorial? You can’t really miss it. That white marble dome, the lawns full of families at sunset—it’s iconic.

Inside, there are galleries of paintings and relics from the British Raj, but honestly, lots of folks skip the museum and just lounge in the gardens. Birla Planetarium is nearby, and if you’ve got kids (or just need a break from the heat), the star shows are oddly soothing.

Science City is a favorite for families—interactive exhibits, a space theater, and a ropeway that gives you a view of the whole place. Give yourself a few hours; it’s bigger than it looks.

For a slower pace, Marble Palace is tucked away in North Kolkata. This old mansion is packed with wax figures, oil paintings, and statues collected by a Bengali family with a flair for the dramatic.

Prinsep Ghat at sunset is pure magic. The Vidyasagar Setu lights up, and you can hop on a boat or just sit on the steps, watching the river. If you’re up for a bit of wandering, College Street and its maze of bookstalls are a must—bring a local or you’ll get lost, but that’s half the fun.

Best Time to Visit

October to February is when Kolkata’s at its best—mild temperatures between 15°C and 27°C, perfect for walking tours and lazy afternoons by the lake. Winter mornings at Rabindra Sarobar are especially peaceful, and if you hit the city during Durga Puja in October, you’ll see Kolkata transformed into a wild, open-air gallery.

March to June? The heat can be brutal, up to 40°C, so stick to air-conditioned spots like the Indian Museum or South City Mall when the sun’s high. July to September brings the monsoon—cooler, but streets can flood in a flash. If you’re here during rains, keep indoor options like the wax museum or planetarium in your back pocket.

No matter when you visit, early mornings and late evenings are your best bet for spots like Eco Park or the Maidan—the crowds thin out, and the light is perfect for photos.

Visitor Information

Mother House is right in central Kolkata at 54 AJC Bose Road. Getting there’s easier than you might expect, but a little planning goes a long way.

Location and How to Get There

Park Street metro station is about two kilometers away, and from there, you can weave through the busy streets or just grab a yellow taxi. Just say “Mother House” or “Missionaries of Charity”—the drivers know it.

If you’re coming by train, Sealdah Railway Station is closest. Buses toward Maniktala and Park Circus go right by. There’s a big old church—St. James—across the street, so when you see it, you’re basically there.

The official address is 54 Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road, in Beniapukur. Auto-rickshaws and app cabs like Ola or Uber are easy to find. Just be ready for a bit of morning traffic—Kolkata never really sleeps.

Tips for Visitors

The house opens at 8:30 AM and stays open until noon, then again from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. It’s closed on Thursdays, Easter Monday, August 22nd, and December 26th.

If you want a quieter experience, show up right when the doors open in the morning. The crowds are definitely thinner then.

Keep your phone silent—or honestly, just switch it off. This is an active residence for the sisters, and they really value the peace.

Photography is strictly off-limits inside Mother Teresa’s room on the first floor. The sisters here are friendly if you get lost, but remember, you’re walking through their home.

There’s no entrance fee. Modest dress is a must, and you’ll want to keep your voice down throughout your visit.

Don’t miss the tiny museum. Mother Teresa’s worn sandals, her faded sari, even her handwritten letters—they’re all on display and, honestly, kind of moving.

A lot of visitors leave prayer petitions in the box near her tomb. You might find yourself pausing there a little longer than expected.