Santiniketan Bolpur | West Bengal |

Santiniketan Bolpur | West Bengal |

"Rabindranath Tagore's Eternal Abode"

Shantiniketan is a neighbourhood of Bolpur city in Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district in West Bengal, India, approximately 165 km north of Kolkata. Known to few, mainly as Rabindranath Tagore's home and now a university, Santiniketan is a small town located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. The town comprises mainly of Visva Bharati University. The University was set up by Rabindranath Tagore's father and later popularized by him to radically change the concept of education in India. Today, this beautifully laid out university and small sleepy town has acquired the status of a unique tourist haven, where lines of knowledge and aesthetic brilliance merge.

Best Time To Visit

Poush Mela

Poush Mela is the occasion when Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, along with twelve others, adopted the Brahmo. The Mela is the remembrance of this very day on the 7th Day of the Poush month. The fair is a perfect example of the amalgamation of different culture and traditions. Performances by students of Santiniketan are what lie in store for you if you happen to visit the place in December. The famous Poush Mela is organised in the city of Shantiniketan, which is a small town in the Birbhum district of the Indian state of West Bengal. The precise location of the fair was the ground opposite to the Brahma temple in Shantiniketan in the initial years of its celebration. However, now it occurs in the field in Purbapalli.

A prayer meeting is held afterwards at Chhatimtala, and the inauguration is completed after the prayer meeting, when all those attending the meet proceed to Uttarayan, with sweet hymns of songs on their lips.

The mela offers a peek into the Bengali cultural heritage, as Bengali folk music is performed live at the fair. The traditional Baul music is the primary type to be performed for the audience. Folk dances are also performed in the fair. Apart from these, tribal sports are organised, projecting the tribal culture of Bengal.
The Mela occurs on a large scale, with almost 1500 stalls in it. Traditional handicrafts and fabrics are some of the items that can be found in these stalls, although they offer varieties of stuff for the visitors. According to the official statistics, an average of 3500 people gathers at the mela on each day of its occurrence, making it a figure of nearly 10,000 in three days.

Accommodation facilities are made available during the mela days for visitors who come from far away. Shantiniketan has lodges of around 85 in number which can accommodate 1650 individuals within them.
Thus, the Poush Mela becomes a significant attraction regarding the exposition of Bengali traditional culture that it does, and allows the days of its occurrence to explore the heritage world of Shantiniketan from the inside while staying in its lodges.

Basanta Utsav

Festivals add colors to life. And, if it is Holi, the fiesta of colors, one may well imagine how it smudges every soul with happiness. The famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore introduced Basant Utsav or Spring festival in Santiniketan, Birbhum to recreate the magic of Holi. The joyous festival is now an integral part of the Bengali culture. Celebrated in a different way, Holi or the Basanta Utsav at the Santiniketan make you feel romantic, pleasant and very special. Owing to its own dignity, the festival lures visitors from all over the world. Participation by the students makes it much more delightful. Be a part of the vibrant festival to believe it!

Places To Visit In Santiniketan

Tagore's ashrama

Known as Kaviguru Rabindranath Tagore's abode, Tagore's Ashram is one of the must visit places in Santiniketan. It was founded in 1863 by his father, Maharishi Devendranath Tagore. A heritage site well preserved by the authorities, this place is a giant mark left by our beloved Gurudev. The site has archived his life in the form of his literary works, his awards, and accolades, daily items used by him and his love for nature. One cannot help but feel his presence all over the area. Housing every detail of Tagore's life, it takes visitors back in time. Along with the very well-curated museum, it houses other important buildings including the 5 Tagore houses. School classes and primary functions are held under the Amra Kunja (mango grove). Irrespective of whether you have read his works or not, this place is bound to instill a sense of pride in you and give you peace of mind.

It is famous for its very relaxing atmosphere with some of the most picturesque views in the whole of Santiniketan. The place still bears tradition of educating students, not in confined spaces but the lap of nature. Bengali culture is showcased at its best. Guides are easily available if you do not want to follow the crowd.

The foundations of this place were laid down by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore way back in 1863. The primary purpose of the ashram was to spread 'Brahmo Dharma', a religious movement started in the late nineteenth century. While the movement was started by Raja Ram Mohun Roy, it was his successor and Rabindranath's father, Debendranath who strengthened it.

In 1901, the ashram was converted to an open-air school by Gurudev which eventually came to be globally recognized as Vishwa Bharati University. A brainchild of Gurudev's excellent vision and dream for modern education, it followed the traditional Gurukul style teaching. Till date, it is one of the most visually enthralling campuses and provides world-class education to students.

Amar Kutir

Located in close vicinity of the University, Amar Kutir showcases a number of locally made handicrafts, including leather printed bags, printed cloth etc.

Chattimtala

This place was the meditation spot of Tagore's Father, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore. A scholar himself, he advocated meditation and introspection as the keys to success and world progress.

Every student is very deeply connected to this place as graduates are honored with a branch of Saptaparni tree seen in Chhatimtala.The prayer hall, one of the prettiest places in Santiniketan is located in close vicinity. The site is considered to be very sacred and highly revered.

Khoai Mela

If you want to attend this fair, you will have to plan your trip around a Saturday. The fair starts at 4 am in the morning and artisans from all the nearby places set up stalls. Household items, Handicrafts, clothes etc are sold in plentiful.

Kala Bhavan

Kala Bhavan, as the name suggests, promotes art among the students. The place focuses on developing the artistic bent among its patrons and very aptly also has the most beautifully done block.

Deer Park

About 3 km from the main campus is the Ballavpur forest. The forest shelters a naturally bred large family of deer. It is now known as the deer park.

The beautiful park is the perfect example of the contrast between the man made university and nature crafted forest.

Kankalitala

The small rural town is located about 7 km from Santiniketan. The drive, and if you prefer the walk, takes you through the beautiful landscape of semi urban India.

The stunning fields and village setting will take you by surprise. There is also a small temple that is considered to be highly sacred by its devotees that you can see. however, it is better to go to Kankalitala on a pleasant day to enjoy your trip fully.

Sangeet bhavan

The Sangeet Bhavan is the block that fosters talents of Music and Dance. Regular practices are held and one can see students taking singing or dancing lessons at all times in the day.

Nippon Bhavan

Nippon Bhavana, just like the China Bhawan, aims to foster Japanese- Indo relations. The Centre, though located in the main campus is an autonomous body and not controlled by the university.

There is a Japanese study department located in Nippon Bhavan that educates about Japanese culture, literature, art and the language. It also conducts many exchange programs to and from Japan.

China Bhavan

Santiniketan comprises many academic blocks, each dedicated to a separate branch of study. The China Bhavan, as per its name, focuses on studying of Chinese Culture, traditions and language.

The place is regularly visited by Chinese Scholars as well. The building, not too large in size, is beautifully made with intricate patterns on the exterior.

Others Places

Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary

Shyor Bithi Park

Sonajhuri Forest

Prakriti Bhavan

Srijani Shilpagram

Gitanjali Rail Museum

Shantiniketan Museum

Kopai River View Point

How to Reach

The most convenient way to reach Santiniketan is by train. The nearest station is Bolpur Station which is hardly 2-3 km away. You can easily hire a bus or a cab to drive you to your accommodation's location.