SHANTINIKETAN

• Exceptional scenic beauty is considered to be the epitome of Bengali intellect and culture.
• In 1863 Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, father of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore started an ashram for yoga and meditation over here.
• Rabindranath began an exceptional ‘open-air’ classes in 1901 and named the school Shantiniketan or the Abode of Peace.
• In 1921 it become Visva Bharati University, which is now recognized as a great centre of oriental education and culture.
• The curriculum includes educational, cultural and other activities like agricultural, cottage industries etc.

ACCESSIBILITY:

• Airport : Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), 212 kms distance from

  Shantiniketan.

• Rail        : Well connected with Bolpur Railway Station, 3 kms distance from Shantiniketan.
• Road      : Well connected with Road.

Uttarayan:

• One of the frequently visited places.
• Rabindranath Tagore used to stay here.
• It was designed by Tagore himself.

Vichitra:

• Museum housed in this complex exhibits paintings, manuscripts, and personal belongings of Rabindranath.

Poush Mela or Utsav:

• It happens generally month of December.
• It commemorates the day when Rabindranath started the open-air classes at Shantiniketan.
• Rabindranatya and Rabindrasangeet programmes are the main attractions of the fair.
• Folk arts and crafts are also displayed here.

Vasantotsav:

• It happens generally month of March / April.
• Marks the advent of vasanta (spring).
• Colourful cultural programmes are held during this time.

 Sriniketan:

• 3 kms from Shantiniketan.
• It is a centre for traditional crafts like, dhokra metalcrafts, bell-metal ware, terracotta clay crafts, weaving, kantha embroidery, batik and leather goods.

AROUND SHANTINIKETAN:

Bakreshwar:

• 58 kms from Shantiniketan.
• It is known for Mahishamardini Mandir, a Shaktipith.
• An ancient Shiv Mandir near Papahara natural spring, surrounded by 250 smaller Shiva temples is another important pilgrim site.
• Bakreshwar is also known for its hot springs, rich in the therapeutic minerals.

Kendubilwa or Kenduli:

• 43 kms from Shantiniketan.
• Small village is the birthplace of famous poet Joydeb, known for his work ‘Gita Govinda’.
• The original spiritual home of Bengal’s Baul music.
• During the annual Kenduli Mela (mid of December), a large number of Baul falk singers and pilgrims assemble here.
• Another important festival celebrated here is the Makar Sankranti (January).