SHANTINIKETAN (BOLPUR), Dist: Birbhum, West Bengal. PIN: 731204, STD Code: 953463

Weather:
Summer:  39.4 deg. C Max; 34.39 deg. C Min;
Winter:  15.7 deg. C Max; 12.1 deg. C Min;
Rainfall:  125 cm (June – September), Heavy in July and August

Visiting time:
Shantiniketan: Thus. to Mon.: 10.30 AM– 4.30 PM; Tues: 10.30 AM - 12.30 PM. Wednesday: Closed.
7.00 AM– 11 AM (During summer vacation in May & Jun)
Sriniketan: 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
7.00 a.m. – 12 noon (summer vacation)
Weekly holidays: on Wednesdays and half-holidays on Tuesday. Photography:Restricted but permitted with the PRO's approval.

LOCATION: Click here for Road Map. Shantiniketan is situated at a distance of 3 KM from Bolpur, the nearest railhead at 136 km. away from Kolkata. The place is well connected by road from Asansol, Durgapur, Malda, Burdwan, Baharampur and Kolkata.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Shantiniketan is greatly associated with the memories and fame of the famous poet of India, the Nobel laureate, Sri Rabindranath Tagore. It became the center of attraction to the tourists because he resided here and wrote many of his classics at this small village town. In 1863, Maharshi Debendranath,father of Kabiguru Rabindranath had purchased a plot of land - about 20 bigha from the Zamindar of Raipur and erected a one story building in the very next year in 1864 and founded an ‘Ashram' here, which was named as Shantiniketan and in course of time this place has acquired the name after it. Rabindranath Tagore first came to Shantinikatan in 1873. In December 22, 1901, Rabindranath here had opened his open air school Brahmacharyashram, later the name was changed to Patha Bhavan In May 16,1921, with the financial aid from the Maharaja of Tripura the Visva Bharati society was formed.In course of time, the Govt.of India had declared it as central University. He first introduced the class without classroom under the open air under the shade of big trees. After he received the Nobel Prize in 1913 the school expanded into an international University, where the cultures of the East and the West may meet in common fellowship and thereby strengthen the fundamental condition of world peace. Many world famous teachers and scholar have associated with the University.

The major attraction lies in visiting the buildings of his times used for various purposes in the Visva Bharati campus. First the Uttarayan complex consists of six buildings - Bichitra, Udayan, Konark, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi. Bichitra Bhavan is now the museum & research institute where visitors may have the glimpse of the articles of Kabi guru's garments, manuscripts, pen & ink-pot and the Nobel prize medal (the original one lost in recent past from the museum), etc. The Austin car that Kabi Guru used now kept on display at this campus. The other buildings include - Kala Bhavan, Patha Bhavan, Sangeet Bhavan, China Bhavan and the prayer Hall. In Kala Bhavan people find the great works of paintings and murals of Abanindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose and carvings of great sculptor of that times Sri Ramkinkar Beij. In China Bhavan people find great collections of documents of Jain & Buddha Philosophy.

Numerous social and cultural events in different times of the year through different festivals of the seasons still draws large number of peoples from different corners of Bengal to Shantiniketan. These includes - Basanta Utsab (March), Barsa Mangal (July-August), Sharod Utsab (Oct-Nov),Poush Mela (Dec),Maghotsab ( Feb)etc. Among all these Basata Utsab & Poush Mela are most important festivals of attraction to the tourist.

Safety: Safe; Roads: Motorable; Road traffic: Moderate; Medical support: Available; Fuel Pumps: Available; Car repairing: Available; Market & Shopping Center: Yes; Tourist Information Center: No; Railway & Air Ticket: Yes; Hotels & Restaurants: Available; Sports & Game Centers: Yes; Cellular service: BSNL, Vodafone & Airtel; Car rental: Available.

Places of interest: Minimum days of stay: Two day & three nights. Sriniketan: 3 km. S.West of Shantiniketan developed as Visva Bharati's Rural Art Center in 1923. Sriniketan was established as a rural reconstruction center. The handicrafts of this place has got tremendous reputation in India and abroad. It also an important agricultural research center Deer Park or Ballavpur Wild Life Sanctuary: The Deer Park was developed in 1977 covering about more than 700 acres of land in the jungle of Sal, Sishu, Piyal, Siris, Mahua, etc. There are wide varieties of animals like spotted deer, black buck, jackals, foxes, rabbits, snakes and few variety of birds also. Varieties of birds are seen in the water body attached to the wild life sanctuary. Kankalitala: It is 8 km. from Bolpur situated on the bank of Kopai river, one of the sacred Satipithas. The temple is a popular pilgrimage center

TRANSPORT: The nearest airport ( 213 km. from Kolkata) is at Dum Dum in Kolkata. By road it is 211 km. from Kolkata and well connected by bus from different corner of West Bengal and regular CSTC bus from Sahid Minar is available.

Rail: Bolpur is the nearest rail station - 3 km. from Shantiniketan, Well connected by rail with Howrah & Sealdah stn. The train takes about 4.30 Hours from Kolkata.

Special mention: The place is meant for culture and education. The environment is pollution free and calm in the rural surroundings. Best for rest and recuperation.

Last Updated on Thursday, 21 July 2011 21:34