Shantiniketan was initially an Ashram for followers of the reformist Brahma Cult of Hinduism, founded in 1863 by Maharishi Devendranath Tagore. In 1901 his son, Rabindranath converted it into an experimental open-air school with just five students. Gradually the repertoires widened.

Just as one enters the Shantiniketan station, one is greeted with The Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore' s words in form of graffiti on the walls. The single important road with relics of the saffron dust on both sides, winds out of proper Bolpur town into the area popularly know as Shantiniketan, the abode of peace.

Bauls, followers of a medicant cult, could emerge from the corner of any street singing songs of love and worship. Several frescos, murals and scuptures of great masters like Rabindranath, Abanindranath, Nandalal Bose hold ground around the area, beaming of creative genius.

Places of Interest:

The Visva Bharati University premises is amongst the most important attractions of this place. The open air classrooms in natural surroundings are famous for its traditional gurukul form. Over the ages it has served as one of the premier institutions for performing arts and cultural studies.

The university is also house to brilliant sculptures by masters like Ram Kinkar Baej, Nandalal Bose and Binod Bihari Mukhopadhyay.

The Prayer Hall, which was founded by the poet's father in 1893, is a beautiful structure of glass where Wednesday prayers are held.

The Uttarayan Complex once home to Tagore, now houses a museum and an art gallery. The complex comprises of several buildings Udayana. Konark, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi, bear testimony to the architectural brilliance of the workers involved and the vision of the poet's son late Rathindranath Tagore.

Sriniketan, located 3 kms from the University, is not just dedicated to agricultural research, but is also a centre for traditional handicrafts like Kantha embroidery and Dokra artifacts. The Batik print clothes and bags are popular buys from this place.

A deer park spread over a large area with dense vegetation, forms a natural bird sanctuary near Sriniketan3kms. from the University is Sriniketan which was set up, dedicated to agricultural research, is not also a cetre for traditional handicrafts like Kantha embroidery and Dokra artifacts. The Batik print clothes and bags are popular buys from this place.

There is a deer park near Sriniketan which is a large area with dense vegetation and form a natural bird sanctuary.

Festivals & Fairs:

Paus Mela(the winter fair) draws thousands of visitors, buyers and sellers every year. It has been the most important economic event of this place for years now.

The Vasantutsav, a festival of colours, is in spring when thousands infiltrate the Viswa Bharati premises to participate.

The Baul Mela at Kenduli, few kms away, is of great attraction to folk music lovers and acts as great cultural exchange between different communities.

Climate:

Temperature (deg C) : Summer- Max.39.4, Min.34.3; Winter- Max.15.7, Min.12.1
Rainfall : 125 cms ( June to September ). Heavy in July\August.

How to get there:

212 north km from Kolkata, Shantiniketan is connected by road and rail. The nearest railway station is Bolpur. There are atleast 5-6 trains from Calcutta everyday.

Its a five hours drive via the Durgapur Expressway.

Where to stay:

The Tourist Lodge offers AC and Non AC rooms. Cottages and Dormitories are also available. Besides lots of hotels have cropped up of late, which provide decent and affordable service.


The Telegraph