Shantiniketan in the Birbhum district of West Bengal is an ideal place where rich cultural expressions, heritage and multi-hued festivities blend to captivate your senses. As an embodiment of serenity and peace, far from the concrete jungle, the place with numerous social and cultural events and curious attractions serves as the ultimate indulgence.
While you stay at Shantiniketan you will notice yourself drawn to a place called the ‘Ashram’ that comprises all that Kabi Guru Rabindranath Tagore had established. In addition, the hundred years old prestigious ‘Visva Bharati’ deserves a special mention. The aim of this educational institute was the quest for truth, blending the methods of learning of the East and West. This international institution keeps the traditions of open-air lessons, gurukul system of instruction in the curricula of various programs. The Uttarayana Complex inside the university campus is the house where Tagore lived and worked for many years.
Sangeet Bhavan is another attraction of Shantiniketan, which is a college of dance and music. This is known for its work towards art, music and the humanities. In addition, you can also visit Kala bhavan, Vidya bhavan, Shiksha bhavan, Vinaya bhavan, Cheena bhavan and Hindi bhavan.
Deer Park and Uttarayan Garden are the most favorite places for eco-friendly people. It is located near Sriniketan, which is about 3 kilometers from Shantiniketan. Sriniketan, a centre for traditional handicrafts like batik, pottery, weaving kantha embroidery and dokra tribal handicrafts is a must visit. While travelling at Shantiniketan you get a great opportunity for leather shopping. Leather goods of Shantiniketan are available in various qualities, keeping modern style alive. Rameen, Sarvodaya Ashram, Vishwa Bharati Shilpa Sadan and Shantiniketan Co-operative Store are the main shopping places of Shantiniketan.
The festivals are the celebrations of the different seasons of Bengal and of the cultural fabric of rural Bengal. Festivals like Poush Mela and Basanta Utsab are the most prominent. Basanta Utsab is the climax of the seasonal celebrations of nature. It is the Spring Festival of colors started by Tagore and celebrated on the day of Holi in March.
Some other important events are Barsha Mangal, Sharodutsav, Nandan Mela, Magh Mela, Rabindra Jayanti.