Shantiniketan --- Heritage hangout

Chatimtala

Prayer Hall

Black House

Sculpture

Shantiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. It is approximately 200 km from Kolkata. In the middle of the 19th century  Maharshi Devendranath Tagore purchased 20 bighas of land from the zamindars of Raipur. In1863 he constructed a house named, Shantiniketan Griha, the name later came to denote the surrounding locality. Later Rabindranath Tagore started here Patha Bhavan school which was his dream project because he believed studying in the natural atmosphere in open air is much enjoyable and fruitful. In 1921 this school expanded in a university and in 1953 it had been conferred as one of India's  best central universities. Many world famous teachers came to teach here. Indira Gandhi, Gayatri Debi, Satyajit Ray, Amartya Sen and many other famous students of Shantiniketan  have spreaded in various parts of the world.

Kalabhavan is the art college of Shantiniketan. It is one of the best art college in the world. Besides this there are various departmet of education and culture.

Upasana Griha or the prayer hall is another attraction of Shantiniketan. The four side of this hall is made of various coloured  Belgium glass with marble step. In the evening it gives a beautiful look  in the candle light. On Wednesday prayer are held here.

Uttarayana complex  associated a group of building such as Udayana, Shyamali, Punascha, Konark, Udichi where Rabindranath lived and worked in various time.

Chatimtala is famous and it was used for meditation by Rabindranth Tagore's Father Maharshi Devendranath Tagore.

The central library of Viswa Bharati is a paradise for book lovers.

The most popular  festival of  Shantiniketan is Poush mela, held in December  from 23th to 25th and Basanta utsab, held in Holi. Millions of people gather in this festivals from around the globe.

Getting There:

The trains are available from Kolkata to Bolpur.

Buses are available from Esplanade to Bolpur.

Nearest airport is at Kolkata.

Accommodation:

1.Santiniketan Tourist Lodge (a unit of WBTDC Ltd)

Rate : Rs 700/- - Rs 900/- (Non AC) ; Rs 1900/- - Rs 2400/- (AC)

Phone : 03463-252398 Mobile : 09732100920

Booking at : Tourism Centre (Kolkata), Shantiniketan Tourist Lodge, All units of WBTDC Ltd

Online booking at: www.westbengaltourism.gov.in 

Email: tourismcentre.kol@westbengaltourism.gov.in

2.Hotel Camellia

Tariff:Rs950-2500
Address:Prantik, Shantiniketan, Bolpur, Birbhum, West Bengal
Tel:91-03463-54778/55044/55043
Fax:91-03463-55044 
Email: chhuti@cal.vsnl.net.in

3.Ranga Mati Tourist Lodge

Rate:Rs.310-Rs.750 
Address:Bolpur Road
Telephone: 03463-252305