SHANTINIKETAN

Santiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, approximately 180 kilometres north of Kolkata. It was made by famous  Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, whose vision became what is now a university town that attracts thousands of visitors each year. An International University founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore where the cultures of the East & the West could meet and mingle. Named Vishva-Bharati, the University represents Indian traditions while incorporating the best of other cultures. Santiniketan is also a tourist attraction because Rabindranath wrote many of his literary classics here, and his house is a place of historical importance. Santiniketan was previously called Bhubandanga (named after Bhuban Sinha). This area was gifted from the Sinha family (family of Lord SP Sinha) to the Tagore family. Rabindranath's father, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, found it very peaceful and renamed it Santiniketan, which means abode (niketan) of peace (shanti). It was here that Rabindranath Tagore started Patha Bhavana, the school of his ideals, whose central premise was that learning in a natural environment would be more enjoyable and fruitful. After he received the Nobel Prize (1913), the school was expanded into a university in 1921. By 1951, it had become one of India's central universities. Many world famous teachers came to be associated with it, including C.F. Andrews and Alex Aronson. Some of its illustrious students are Gayatri Devi, Indira Gandhi, Satyajit Ray, Abdul Ghani Khan and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen. Kala Bhavana, the art college of Santiniketan, is still considered one of the best art colleges in the world. 

Interesting to See at Santiniketan :
Upasana Griha : A prayer hall, made of several colored Belgium glasses with marble steps on all the four sides by the poet's father in 1863. During evening service, candle is lit around the prayer hall, and it wears a magnificent look in flickering light. Prayers are held on Wednesday.
Dehali : Rabindranath used to live with his wife Mrinalini Devi in this two storied building.
China Bhavana : A centre for Chinese studies. Natir Puja, a dance drama of Tagore is painted on its wall under the guidance of Nandalal Bose, pioneering Indian artist.
Black House : A mud building known for its relief works done by stalwarts like Ram Kinkar and Prabhas Sen. Usually the final year student of Visva Bharati stay here.
Santiniketan Griha : The oldest building of Santiniketan.
Kala Bhavan : The College of Fine Arts & Crafts has a museum exhibiting sculptures, frescoes & murals and a library of art books.

Hindi Bhavana : the Hindi study centre .

Nippon Bhavana : for Indo-Japanese studies.

Patha Bhavana  : now a secondary school, is of particular interest, being an example of the traditional Brahmacharya Ashram. In 1901 Rabindranath started this Patha Bhavan with 5 student.

Uttarayan Complex : The poet lived and worked in the Northern Complex consisting of several buildings as : Udayana, Konarka, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi. The Bichitra ( or, Rabindra Bhavan ) designed by the poet's son Rathindranath Tagore.
Bichitra : Also called Rabindra Bhavan, a Research Centre and Museum where the poet's personal belongings, paintings & various editions of his works are exhibited.
Amar Kutir : The place where all types of hadicrafts like cloth/leather batiks, handlooms etc. are available.
Sangeet Bhavan : College of Dance and Music. The University is replete with works on Art, Music and the Humanities.
Chhatimtala : Here Maharshi Devendranath, the father of Rabindranath Tagore, used to meditate. Prayers are held usually at Convocation time. Successful graduates of the Vishwa Bharati University are presented a branch of five leaves each from the Saptaparni trees which abound in the area.
Kankalitala: On the bank of the river Kopai is Knankalitala, one of the sacred Satipithas. A temple there.
Deer Park : Near Sriniketan, 3 km from Shantiniketan. Originally, the area was a fast eroding `Khowai'. It is now a large wooded area with herds of deer and makes a natural bird sanctuary.

Shantiniketan Shopping : Grameen (Bolpur), Sarvodaya Ashram (Bolpur), (Handicrafts & handlooms) Vishwa Bharati Shilpa Sadan (Shantiniketan), Shantiniketan Cooperative Stores (Shantiniketan).

How to Reach :
Airport : The nearest airport is Kolkata. 212 km away from Santiniketan.   
Rail : The nearest railhead is Bolpur, 2 km away. Trains connecting Bolpur with Howrah/Sealdah (Kolkata) are Howrah-Bolpur Shantiniketan Exp,  Sealdah-Mughalsarai Exp, Howrah-Jamalpur Exp, Kanchenjunga Exp, Shantiniketan Exp etc.

Road : Santiniketan is connected with Kolkata by an excellent road. From Santiniketan is 212 km from Kolkata by road. From Kolkata drive towards  to Dankuni and take the Durgapur Expressway NH 2.

Accommodation : “Eco Trails” deals with some of the best Hotel and Resort in Shantiniketan. Shantiniketan provides a delightful alternative in the form of its numerous tourist resorts and hotels. Depending on your budget you can chose Deluxe, Super Deluxe and Standard Hotel. Many budget hotels are also have available offer in suites, deluxe/ semi-deluxe/ budget rooms and make you enjoy a reasonable and comfortable stay.

Food : You can choose your own Food Plan in your trip to Shantiniketan. There are 04 optioned are available – i) European Plan ( EP ) – Room Only Basis. ii) Continental Plan ( CP ) - Room including with Breakfast only basis. iii) Modified American Plan ( MAP ) – Room including with breakfast and either lunch or dinner. iv) American Plan ( AP ) - Room including Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. 

Activities : Heritage Walk, Heritage building visit, Experienced Local Culture, Museum Visit, Rickshaw Ride, Shopping Experience.

Attraction : Visva Bharati University, Upasana Griha, Dehali, China Bhavana, Black House, Santiniketan Griha, Kala Bhavan, Hindi Bhavana, Nippon Bhavana, Patha Bhavana, Uttarayan Complex, Bichitra, Amar Kutir, Sangeet Bhavan, Chhatimtala, Musem, Heritage Walk, Heritage Building Visit, Cycle Rickshaw Ride, Local Culture, Folk Music, Shopping.