Everything You Need to Know About Shantiniketan

Shantiniketan, which means the abode of peace – long before it became the name of a place, was the name of the guest house Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, father of poet Rabindranath Tagore founded. This place has many memories related to our beloved poet Rabindranath Tagore, hence tourists from all around the world gather here to witness this place.

fig: Collected

Located in India’s West Bengal’s small zillaBeerbhumthe old name of Shantiniketan was Bhubhandanga, which was named after BhubhanDakat – a local dacoit. Debendranath Tagorefounded the Brahmo Samaj in 1863.Rabindranath Tagore had a vision of setting up a school along the lines of the previously existing system of gurukul; a residential school where students lived with their teacher/guru – was the foundation stone of Visva-Bharati. After 40 years he set up this schoolVisva-Vidyalay in 1901 which changed the ideology and concept of schooling in a positive way. Rabindranath Tagore received the Nobel Prize in 1913 and went on to utilize the funds received further expand the school and rename it from Visva-Vidyalay to Visva-Bharati. Which means communion of the world with India. It was recognized as a central university in 1951. There is a Robi Thakur museum in Shantiniketan also there are a lot of festivals and celebrations that occurs all around the year. It is an ideal place for the culture, tradition and literature lovers.

November to February is the perfect time to visit Shantiniketan. Also, it is easier and comfortable to roam around places in winter. The ashram is closed on Wednesdays. Take a train from Kolkata’s Hawrah or Shialdahstation and arrive in Bolpur. From Bolpur you can take a rickshaw and reach Shantiniketan in 10 to 15 mins. There are a lots of hotels and lodges in Bolpur. You can choose where to stay on your arrival according to your budget. You can get a good room within 2000 to 3000 rupees. Shantiniketan is easily accessible within the town can either be done by hiring cycle-rickshaws or on foot. While most of what is there is to see and experience is easily doable in a day, it is recommended to spend two days at Shantiniketan. one day to see the places and the second to simply relax within its natural bliss as it is known to be the place where Tagore is said to have penned down many of his literary works.

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Written by, Sabbir Ahmed Seam 

(Information Collected)

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