Santiniketan:-

‘I shall be born in India again and again. With all her poverty, misery, and wretchedness, I love India best.’

Rabindranath Tagore

Attracted by the beauty of this place, Rabindranath Tagore's father Mohorshi Debendranath Tagore established Shantiniketan (abode of peace) in 1863. In 1901, Rabindranath Tagore set up a Bramhacharya school here which later came to be known as the Patha Bhavan. With the financial backing of the Maharajah of Tripura, the Visva-bharati Society was established in 1921. Tagore envisioned a center of learning where the cultures of both the east and the west may meet in common fellowship and thereby strengthen the fundamental condition of world peace.

Santiniketan is a famous university town in West Bengal. It has become a tourist spot because of its association with Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), one of Bengal's greatest figures. Of course the natural charm of Shantiniketan is a major hit in itself.

The main attractions of Shantiniketan include the various buildings of the Visva-Bharati campus.

The poet lived in the Uttarayan Complex which is comprised of several buildings - Udayan, Konark, Shyamali, Punascha Udichi. The Bichitra Bhavan was designed by Kobiguru's son Rathindranth Tagore. Also known as the Rabindra Bhavan it has a research institute and a museum.

The other buildings 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.

There are a Museum- Vichittra and Art Gallery- Nandan. Within the Uttarayana complex, there are five abodes of the Tagores- Udayana, Konarka, Shamali, Punassha and Udichi. Besides, Chhatimala, Upasana Mandir, and Shantiniketan Bari are some of the oldest sanctums.

Chatimtola is the place where the poet's father used to meditate. Leaves of the Saptaparni trees are given to graduating students at the annual convocation. The Prime Minister of India is the Chancellor of the University. Some of the famous students of Visva-Bharati include India's former Prime Mister the Ms Indira Gandhi (1917-1984), world famous film director Mr.Satyajit Ray (1921-1992) and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen.

Open air education as opposed to being cloistered in the four walls of a classroom became a reality here. At the Kala Bhavan and the Sangeet Bhavan the arts were given their rightful place in the Indian education system. Eminent people from all over the world came to Visva-Bharati during its peak period. Visva-Bharati became a Central University in 1951.

Sriniketan:

In the year 1922, Rabindranath started a rural reconstruction center at Sriniketan, 3 km. from Shantiniketan. Later some other institutions have come up here- Siksha Satra, Silpa Sadana, Palli Siksha Bhavana, Santosh pathshala etc. There is an agricultural college here.

Kenduli:

Kenduli is 30 kms from Shantiniketan. Kenduli is the birth place of Bengal's first famous poet - Jaydev. Jaydev composed the famous Geeta Govinda. There are several temples here. Kenduli is famous for its folk song festival held during Makar Sankranti (Mid January). This festival is the

largest of its kind in the state. Bauls, a sect of wandering ministrels, gather here during this festival.

Fairs and Festivals

Rabindra Janmotsab:

Though the birthdate of Rabindranath falls on May 8/9, the anniversary as well as the Bengali New Year is celebrated on the first day of the Bengali New Year (mid April).

Briksharopan:

Planting of saplings and Halakarshan, ploughing of fields on 22nd &23 Sravana (August).

Varshamangal

The festival of rains during August/ September.

Poush Utsav

Poush Mela,a major landmark on the Bengali's culture calendar is almost as old as Shantiniketan. On the Seventh day of Poush in late December of 1843, Mohorshi Debendranath Tagore became a Brahmo under the guidance of Ram Chabdra Bigyabagish. A fair is held at Shantiniketan from 7th to 9th Poush(December 22/23-25) and Visva Bharati observes its foundation day. At Rabindranath’s behest, the annual Poush utsav became an event where students and teachers of his school took an active part. Poush Mela, therefore, becomes a meeting ground for urban people and rural folk. Rural artisans bring their wares to the fair while urban relatives set up stalls so that rural people could buy the new industrially produced goods that was revolutionizing life in the cities. Tribal sports dances and folk songs including songs by Bauls, the-wandering minstrels of Bengal, are a part of the fair and festivities.

Maghotsav

Celebrated on the 11th of magha (January), to mark the anniversary of Brahmo Samaj.

Vasanta Utsav

Festivals add color to life and if it is a festival of colors like Holi one may well imagine how it smudges all souls with joyousness. The famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore introduced Vasant Utsav or Spring festival in Shantiniketan, Birbhum to recreate the magic of the joyous festival Holi. It is now an integral part of Bengali culture.The students dance and sing their ways through Amrakunja, followed by open-air variety programs. They entertain you with some spectacular performances. The cultural programme that they put up is simply superb. The function is very enjoyable and provides the students a great opportunity to reveal their talents. They welcome the season of spring whole heartedly.

Later in the day, the students as well as the teachers apply a colored powder popularly referred to as abeer on each other. The air is filled with certain joyousness. All the visitors are also extended a warm welcome and invited to participate in the merry making. Even they can play with abeer.

Time for celebrating the Vasant Utsav in Shantiniketan, Birbhum
The Vasant Utsav is celebrated at the time of Holi. The date of Holi varies each year but it generally falls in the month of March. Do visit Shantiniketan when Vasant Utsav is being celebrated and be a part of this vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment.