Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (18 February 1836 – 16 August 1886) was an Indian Hindu mystic, saint and considered as an avatar by many in 19th century Bengal. Sri Ramakrishna experienced spiritual ecstasies from a young age, and was influenced by several religious traditions, including devotion toward the Goddess Kali, Tantra (shakta), Vaishnava (bhakti), and Advaita Vedanta.