Shantiniketan is a destination people keep going back to. One it’s so close to Kolkata and many have a second home here. Second its irresistible charm. Be it for visitors from Bengal, nearby states or any tourist who has experienced this place once before. The endless ride on a toto visiting the same places again and again amidst the green and open stretches all around gives you the same excitement every time you are there. Although we have been there many a times before, if you are a first timer here is what you should be doing on your first day in Shantiniketan.

Hotel Check-in

If you are traveling from Kolkata the trains will get you here latest by afternoon. Therefore you’ll probably have a good five hours or so to go around after check-in to your accommodation before it gets dark. We though reached here around ten in the morning using an Ola from Durgapur and therefore had much more time at our disposal.

While there are quite a number of good hotels now in Shantiniketan you’ll find many that call themselves resorts as well. These occupy quite a bit of land but are hardly resorts as yet in the truest sense, still being developed. You could check out all the best hotel options on our one-stop travel booking platform Travelwisesr Holidays.

Our lovely find

This time we found a home away from home in a prime residential complex, Shanti Shristi. With this beautiful homestay apartment there owned by a friend of mine where we loved our two nights stay. Check it out and you’ll probably fall in love as well. And may wish to enjoy being there for a couple of nights or more. And there is one more homestay as well in another lovely complex with a private lawn at your disposal in a duplex. Get in touch with us through What’s App on +91 9910660937 to book these homestays.

After reaching and going around admiring our homestay complex we settled down comfortably in our apartment. Lazed around a bit, had a coffee and then set off for our first destination. The lovely University campus.

Visva Bharati University campus

Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s dream, Visva Bharati University is the biggest attraction for travelers when they visit Shantiniketan. If you have the time you can spend days roaming around experiencing history, culture, creations, music, dance, book shops, poush mela celebrations and the museums which transport you into the knowledge world.

Established in 1921, the university aimed at moving education out of the confines of the classroom and merging it with nature. And provide creativity and talent the perfect platform to learn, experiment and excel. Let’s see some of the most prominent landmarks as we go around.

Tin Pahar

This age old Banyan tree was planted by Maharshi Devendranath Thakur, father of Rabindranath Tagore. There used to be a pond here. Mud from the pond was used to create three steps around it and hence Devendranath Thakur named it Tin Pahar. The place though guarded now can be seen from outside the fence.

Ananda Pathshala

Established in 1954 this was where Rabindranath Tagore started his first school for children with five students including his son. The platform that you can see is where he sat and taught his children. The school renamed Mrinalini Ananda Bhawan after his wife still continues imparting quality education to children.

Maharshi Devendranath Thakur’s home

Taladhwaja

Built around a Taal (palm) tree this unique mud house was the abode of Tajesh Chandra Sen, a teacher of Brahmacharyasrama. Rabindranath Tagore’s poem Kutirbasi from Banabani commemorates ‘Taladhwaja’ and Tajesh Chandra Sen.

Upasana Ghar – the prayer home

Old Poush Mela Ground

Chatimtala

It was here that Devendranath Thakur used to meditate under a Chatim (Devil’s) tree and find solace and spiritual upliftment. So he offered to buy the land from the landlord of Raipur Rajbari who gave it to him at a token price of Re 1/-and the registration apparently cost Rs 20/-. The tree doesn’t exist anymore but the legacy continues.

Uttarayan Complex

Uttarayan is a complex which comprises of the five houses that Rabindranath Tagore built and where he stayed when in Shantiniketan. These were named Udichi, Udayana, Konarka, Shamali and Punascha by him and this is where he spent most of his creative life. There is an art gallery and museum exhibiting mementos of his lifetime and the Nobel Prize.

Natya Ghar

Kala Bhavana

Sangit Bhavana

The day we were there in Shantiniketan happened to be January 22nd, a holiday declared due to Ram Janambhoomi Temple inauguration in Ayodhya. Hence most of the places were closed although we have visited them earlier.

Subarnarekha – the Book Shop

Vinay Bhavana grounds

Pratichi

Srijani Shilpagram

Srijani Shilpagram is a cultural center that draws a large number of visitors these days. A cultural village it offers a great mix of lifestyle, craftsmanship, traditions and nature. You can spend at least an hour here and more if you have children accompanying you. It’s also a traveling exhibition which features cultural heritage of different states of our country. So next time you are there you might experience something entirely different. Get a feel of the park as you travel with us.

Nature

Culture

Sculptures

Crafts & Handicrafts

Cha-Tak – Haridas’er Lebu Cha

Homes of India

Baul Gaan & Shantiniketan

As we walked in we stopped by to hear a bit of Baul music from one singer who was performing solo. And there were these two of them together whom we could hear singing at a distance. While we were about to walk out we heard the trio performing together. Get a feel, be there.

Bong Lunch at Amarkutir Hensel Ghar

Shopping at Amarkutir

As my better half walked into this ‘shop till you drop’ showroom with a purpose and excitement written all over her eyes, I too went along. Clicked a few photographs and soon came out to do things a bit differently. Make a few important phone calls over a cup of coffee regarding our next holidays and then walk a bit around to interact with nature.

We had another day to ourselves but if you are here for only one night set aside half an hour or so for the much talked about Sonajhuri Haat where you get some real good variety of textiles, dresses, jewelry and decorative items at bargain prices.

Dhaba Dinner

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