Visit to Santiniketan
Santiniketan
Santiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal.
It was established by Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, and later expanded by his son Rabindranath Tagore whose vision became what is now a university town, Visva-Bharati University.
Shantiniketan has become a major tourist spot because of its association with Rabindranath Tagore, one of India's and Bengal’s greatest figures.
Rabindranath Tagore started Patha Bhavan the school of his ideals.
After he received the Noble Prize (1913), the school was expanded into a university. Many world famous teachers have become associated with it, and Indira Gandhi was one of its more illustrious students.
Santiniketan is a University town and a centre of learning. The Uttarayan complex where the poet lived consists of several buildings such as Udayana. Konark, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi which reflect the architectural genius of the poet's illustrious son the late Rathindranath Tagore.
The places of interest are mainly on the campus and have a distinctive feature of some of the best in Indian art and culture.
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.
Kala Bhavan :
The College of Fine Arts & Crafts has a museum exhibiting sculptures, frescoes & murals and a library of art books.
Patha Bhavan :
Now a secondary school, it is of particular interest as an example of the traditional `Brahmacharya Ashram'.
Prayer Hall :
Founded by the poet's father in 1863, the hall is made of glass. Prayers are held on Wednesday.
Bichitra :
Also called Rabindra Bhavan, a Research Centre and Museum where the poet's personal belongings, paintings & various editions of his works are exhibited.
Sangeet Bhavan :
College of Dance and Music. The University is replete with works on Art, Music and the Humanities.
Uttarayan Complex :
The poet lived and worked in the Northern Complex consisting of several buildings as : Udayana, Konarka, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi. The Bichitra designed by the poet's son Rathindranath Tagore.
The weather in Santiniketan is usually a pleasant one although you will come across the normal weather changes during summer, winter and Monsoon. Nonetheless Spring has its own charm in Santiniketan not only because of its natural beauty blooming to its fullest amidst the lush greenery but also due to the famous Vasanta Utsav held to mark the festival of Holi with the onset of Spring.
Basanta Utsav literally means the ‘celebration of spring’. Falgun and Chaitra according to the Bengali calendar is the season of Dol Utsav. During this season nature shows its own beauty with colorful flowers of Palash, Shimul etc. The beautiful tradition of celebrating spring festival in Bengal was first started by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan. Actually, Basant Utsav is no different from Holi, except for the gracefulness with which it is celebrated.
Start Date : Saturday, 23-Dec-2017
End Date : Tuesday, 26-Dec-2017
Poush Mela in Santiniketan is a carnival set in the rural part of Bengal. It is an important festivals in the district of Birbhum of West Bengal. It is held in the Shantiniketan Mela Grounds with great excitement and gaity. The Poush Mela started as a small Tagore family affair along with a handful of people at Shantiniketan. Today it is one of the international events that Bengal is identified by. One can enjoy the Baul musicians, local folk dancers, village artists and millions of visitors from across the world.
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