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Monsoon Holidays: Shantiniketan - Kolkata's quiet Sojourn

 
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Monsoon Getaways from Kolkata - Shantiniketan
| Places to see | Places to stay | How to reach | Fast Facts |

Debendranath Tagore’s ashram and Ravindranath’s open-air school – Shantiniketan is just not a learning center any more. Its reputation as a popular getaway from Kolkata is fast gaining popularity. Every year more and more curious travellers are visiting Shantiniketan to get a feel of the place, which was grown and nurtured by the Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Though, Shantiniketan can be visited any time of the year, it looks lovely in the rains.

Shantiniketan

Shantiniketan as we know it today was shaped by Rabindranath Tagore, who started an open-air school 40 years after his father had founded an Ashram here in 1863. The idea of an open-air school soon graduated into one of the prestigious institutions of learning in the country. This institution, an International University – Visva Bharati was founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1901. A place conceived, where the cultures of the East and the West may meet in common fellowship and thereby strengthen the fundamental condition of world peace.

Shantiniketan resembles a lush green resort when after a long summer spell rains decide to wet the earth. There are a number of places that you can check out. The Visva Bharati campus has a number of buildings that are known for their unique architecture. There are beautiful gardens around that present a pretty picture.

Places to see around Shantiniketan
Visva-Bharati campus

Most of the main attractions of Shantiniketan include the various buildings of the Visva-Bharati campus. An interesting part of the campus is the Uttarayan Complex, where the famous poet lived. This part of the complex is comprised of several buildings - Udayan, Konark, Shyamali, Punascha Udichi. The Bichitra Bhavan is one of the highlights here. Also known as the Rabindra Bhavan it houses a research institute and a museum.

The other buildings worth checking include China Bhavan (Chinese faculty), Kala Bhavan (college of arts and crafts), Patha Bhavan (the school), Sangeet Bhavan (school of dance and music) and the prayer hall. The Kala Bhavan gallery has paintings by Bengal's renowned artists like Abanindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose. The sculptures of Ramkinkar Baiz are also amongst the attractions of Shantiniketan.

Kankalitala

Places Nearby
Besides the in campus highlights, there are a good number of places located around Shantiniketan. Kankalitala, 9 km away on the bank of the Kopai is a sacred Hindu shrine. Deer Park (closed on Wednesday), 4 km from Shantiniketan is another interesting place to visit. Nanoor, 23 km from Shantiniketan is the birth place of the 14th century Vaishnava poet Chandidas. Regular buses are available from Bolpur Railway Station. One can also visit Joydev- Kenduli, which is the birth place of Joydev, the author of Geet Govinda, the 12th century masterpiece in Sanskrit.


Festivals Celebrated in Shantiniketan

February celebrates Maghotsava, which marks the anniversary of the Brahmo Samaj and the Founding of Shriniketan.

March witnesses the celebration of Vasanta Utsava, which coincides with Holi.

Varsha Mangagal is celebrated in July-August. Cultural shows are held and a tree planting ceremony is preceded by Halokarshan (ploughing).

Paush Utsava, ShantiniketanAn autumnal festival - Sharadotsava - of song and dance before the University closes for the Puja holidays is celebrated in October-November.

The Calendar year comes to a close in December with the celebration of Paush Utsava. A colourful fair marks the foundation day. Tribal dances and songs are a part of the fair. Tribal crafts in silver and Dhokra metalware are popular with visitors.


Places to stay at Shantiniketan

Shantiniketan has few hotels, which cater to the accommodation needs of the travellers. Hotels in Shantiniketan include budget hotels and mid price hotels. West Bengal Tourism also has a tourist lodge here. Check out hotels in Shantiniketan.


How to Reach Shantiniketan

By Air: The nearest airport is at Kolkata, 213 km away.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is Bolpur, 2 km away. Regular trains connect Bolpur with Howrah and Sealdah.

By Road: Good roads connect Shantiniketan with Kolkata, the distance is 213 km.


About Shantiniketan: Shantiniketan Information & Fact File
Altitude 300 meters
Temp
Summer 39 (Max) & 32(Min) Degrees Celsius
Winter 16 (Max) & 12 (Min) Degrees Celsius
Best time to Go October – March
Monsoon June – September
Summer April - June
Winter December - January
Clothes Cottons in summer and light woolens in winter
Nearest Airport Kolkata, 213 km
Nearest Railway Station Bolpur, 2km (Direct trains from Kolkata)
Bus Station Shantiniketan (Direct buses from Kolkata. Distance -213km)
Hospital & Doctor

Health Centers inside the campus are fully equipped to handle medical emergencies.

Places to see Viswa-Bharati campus, Bichitra Bhawan, Kankalitala, Nanoor, Joydev-Kenduli…more
   
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