A quaint town near Bolpur, 212 km from Kolkata, is popularly known as Shantiniketan. Known for its tranquility and vibrations of peace, Shantiniketan was made famous after Nobel Peace Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore. No picture can do justice to the true beauty of Shantiniketan, so a visit to this ethereal place that offers more than meets the eye will be a must. In particular, people seeking a good time of comfort and pleasure should not step one step away from a little paradise on earth. Unique buildings like Konark, Shyamali, Udichi, and Udayana attract tourists due to their grandeur. Here is the Shantiniketan Tourism Guide which can give you a lot of help and make your trip to Shantiniketan effortless.

Shantiniketan’s Heritage

There was a day in 1862 when Maharishi Debendranath Tagore, father of the legendary Rabindranath Tagore, found a quiet place for peaceful reflection. Considering the place an abode of peace, he named it Shantiniketan. Later people started seeing it as a spiritual center where many people gathered for prayer and meditation, then Debendra Nath Tagore also laid the foundation of the ashram in 1863.

Back in the days of 1901, Rabindranath Tagore established a school in Shantiniketan. The great writer Tagore had an outlook on the world, he believed that in life man and nature are in perfect harmony so he laid the foundation of the school and named it “Path Bhavan” with only five students starting it. Unlike a classroom with four walls, the opening of this school made the street classroom a reality. With the award of the Nobel Prize to Rabindranath Tagore, the school expanded into an international university renamed Visva-Bharati. The university now has two campuses, one at Shantiniketan and the other at Sriniketan focusing on village welfare, adult education, agriculture, and cottage industries along with handicrafts.

Major attractions to visit in Shantiniketan

Visva-Bharati University

Visva-Bharati University is one of the major places to visit in Shantiniketan. It was originally known as “Path Bhavan” which Rabindranath Tagore himself established. It was converted into Visva-Bharati University a few years after Tagore won his first non-European Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. Cheena Bhavan, Hindi Bhavan, Kala Bhavan, and Sangeet Bhavan must be mentioned with various works of art in particular they teach various papers. Sangeet Bhavan offers classes in Rabindra Sangeet, Hindustani Classical, and dance forms. Bhasa Bhavan offers language lessons in Persian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese.

Tagore’s Ashram

The most precious place, Tagore’s ashram, is in the heart of the Uttarayan Complex. When Rabindranath Tagore’s father arrived, he built the ashram. The artisanal areas around the house heighten its beauty. If you want to catch a glimpse of the great writer Tagore while traveling the lanes of life, this old Bengali-style house is ideal for a trip to the tourist spots of West Bengal.

Rabindra Bhavan Museum

Beautifully constructed, the museum acknowledges and pays homage to the life and works of Rabindranath Tagore. From rare photographs to real-life events tracing his life’s journey, and winning the Nobel Prize, visitors are to be guided through the entire life of the great Nobel poet. Don’t miss this out!

Upasana Griha

The Upasana Griha can also be considered among the most beautiful rooms of Shantiniketan as it is made of Belgian glass. The reason why many people refer to the prayer hall as the Mirror Temple is because of its glass-heavy walls. This ancient style of Shantiniketan makes it one of the most stunning places to visit.

Khoai Shanibarer Haat

A Haat (market) is held every Saturday and Sunday in the shade of sal trees in the Sonajhuri forest. Most of the products sold here are traditional and ethnic, made by local artisans. In addition to this unique craft, one can enjoy Baul sangeet played with full enthusiasm by local musicians.

Kala Bhavan

Designed to promote the arts among students, the Kala Bhavan focuses on developing a passion for the arts among its patrons. The most striking aspect of this piece of art is the eye-catching black-and-white Aztec visuals that can be fascinating to look at. Located near the Visva-Bharati campus, this place is considered one of the tourist attractions of Shantiniketan.

Srijani Shilpagram

It is a large complex developed and maintained by the Eastern Regional Cultural Centre. It features art by a combination of different artists. Cultural events are also organized here. The replicas of traditional buildings from India’s eastern states are a must-see.

Poush Mela

A ceremony was celebrated when Maharshi Devendra Nath Tagore and twelve other saints adopted Brahma. On the same day, people still celebrate Poush Mela with great festivities. The blend of traditions and cultures makes this ceremony absolutely incredible and unique to visit. On the seventh day of the month of Poush, the remembrance of the Brahmo adoption day is celebrated with great joy. If you go there in December, the students’ performances can certainly be pleasing to the eyes.

Amar Kutir

Amar Kutir is a must if one is interested in the handicrafts of the region. Out here, many of the most valuable items can be found in the various crafts sold in this store. From printed fabrics to printed leather bags, Amarkutir showcases a wide range of handicrafts made by locals in West Bengal. Close to the university, this historical center of Shantiniketan garners a lot of customers because of its vibrant handloom textiles and furnishings.

Chhatimtala

Maharshi Debendranath Tagore’s favorite meditation place, Chattimatala, welcomes soothing vibrations. The Maharshi recommended meditation and introspection as the keys to progress and success in the world as well. If you want to participate in prayer, you should go to its peaceful place surrounded by peaceful Arjuna and Sal trees.

How to reach Shantiniketan?

The nearest railway station is Bolpur. You can get many trains like the famous Shantiniketan Express & Shatabdi Express from Howrah to Bolpur. Kolkata to Shantiniketan takes about 5 hours by road, the road passes through green areas of Bengal. Visitors experience the calm and soothing lifestyle of rural Bengal.

FAQ(s) – Top Places to visit in Bolpur Shantiniketan