Santiniketan Tourism (2021) - West Bengal

"Rabindranath Tagore's Eternal Abode"

Santiniketan Tourism

Known to few, mainly as Rabindranath Tagore's home and now a university, Santiniketan is a small town located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. The town comprises mainly of Visva Bharati University.

The University was set up by Rabindranath Tagore's father and later popularized by him to radically change the concept of education in India. Today, this beautifully laid out university and small sleepy town has acquired the status of a unique tourist haven, where lines of knowledge and aesthetic brilliance merge.

Places To Visit In Shantiniketan

Tagore's ashrama

Poush Mela

Amar Kutir

Rabindra Bhaban Museum

Chattimtala

Khoai Mela

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Top Hotels In Santiniketan

Nayantara

8.5 (79 reviews)

$ 27 onwards

Chaiti Lodge - Santiniketan Bolpur

8.3 (57 reviews)

$ 10 onwards

Swapnonir

7.5 (81 reviews)

$ 19 onwards

Guloncho

9.4 (33 reviews)

$ 36 onwards

Shantiniketan Bungalow

9.5 (31 reviews)

$ 61 onwards

Upasana Eco Resort

8.8 (36 reviews)

$ 54 onwards

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The Tagore Connection

Santiniketan is best known as the residing place of Rabindra Nath Tagore for an extended period. This is the place where his father, Debendranath Tagore, indulged in spiritual pursuits as well. Places like Tagore's ashrama, Chattimtala, Rabindra Bhaban Museum and Uttrayan complex make up for great tourist attraction. They play a significant role as a tie between the present and the history. These places can provide great stimulation to history lovers, as many of the old items related to the Tagores are also available for the visitors.

Restaurants and Local Food in Santiniketan

Santiniketan has a variety of eating places and cuisines to offer. The campus of Visva Bharati and the surrounding town has a number of small and medium restaurants.
Beer and wine shops are sparsely located but a drink that is worth trying is the rice beer, especially popular during all the fares. It's much lighter than normal beer but is brewed in the region and not easy to find elsewhere.
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Suggested Itinerary for Santiniketan

Day 1: Reach Santiniketan and freshen up at your hotel. Visit Tagore's ashrama which was built by Debendranath Tagore on his arrival at Santiniketan. Then, go to Chattimtala which is known as his meditation spot. Head towards Rabindra Bhaban Museum which is the home to the remaining valuable items of the Tagore family.

Day 2: Dedicate the day to artistic revelations. Visit Kala Bhavan which empowers artistic ability among students. Then go to Amar Kutir where handcrafted items are exhibited. Go to Uttrayan Complex which was an abode to Rabindranath Tagore. Visit Nippon Bhavan which is dedicated to strengthening India and Japan's diplomatic relations.

Best Time to Visit Santiniketan

Commuting within Santiniketan

Santiniketan Photos

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FAQs on Santiniketan

What is famous about Santiniketan?

Rich in culture. Reflects the heritage of India due to its strong historical roots. Home to gorgeous gardens. Events like Pousmela and Basanta Utsav also attract a lot of tourists.

What is not so good about Santiniketan?

No airways connectivity. Not an all-weather tourist spot. Quite small in area so fewer options for sightseeing. Not easy to reach from other parts of the country directly.

Who should visit Santiniketan?

Santiniketan is the perfect place for those people who like to travel to unpopular places and explore the unknown. It can also stimulate those individuals who like to indulge into history and heritage. Moreover, Santiniketan is the right place for those people who want to understand how different festivals are celebrated in West India.

What is the best time to visit Santiniketan?

Santiniketan, the abode of peace, is best visited during monsoons and winters, i.e., between July and February. Other than the days when there are heavy rains, the climate remains overcast with light showers, making for a decent time to explore the rich culture of West Bengal. The climate remains comfortably cool throughout the day allowing tourists to explore every aspect of the beautiful abode whether it is set indoors or outdoors. Some may even choose to visit during the transitional season of spring which occurs in March. The weather is warmer compared to the winter season, but pleasant and comfortable. Summertime, between April and June, is not recommended to tourists because of the high-temperature the region experiences, making it the most inconvenient time of the year.

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What is the local food in Santiniketan?

What is the best way to reach Santiniketan?

Santiniketan cannot be reached directly via airways due to the lack of air connectivity. You have to rely on Kolkata's international airport if you are travelling via plane. Santiniketan doesn't have a railway station either, but Bolpur's railway station is quite near Santiniketan and can be used as the deboarding place. Santiniketan has an excellent connectivity via roadways, as taxis and buses are available.

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What are the things to do in Santiniketan?

The top things to do in Santiniketan are Tagore's ashrama, Poush Mela, Amar Kutir, Rabindra Bhaban Museum, Chattimtala, Khoai Mela. You can see all the places to visit in Santiniketan here

What are the places near Santiniketan?

The top places near to Santiniketan are Nabadwip which is 76 km from Santiniketan, Bishnupur which is located 76 km from Santiniketan, Kolkata which is located 141 km from Santiniketan, Bardhaman which is located 53 km from Santiniketan, Durgapur which is located 41 km from Santiniketan

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Q. Could you please tell me the date of Poush Mela, 2020 which is held on December?

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Santiniketan Reviews

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Partha Khan 1 year ago

Another beautiful weekend destination where you can find cultural heritage meeting with nature's grace. Simply entertaining and relaxing. "Link Hidden"

Saikat Das 2 years ago

Beautiful place for one or two days.

Sukanya Ghosh 2 years ago

This is a perfect on-budget place for a weekend getaway with homely accommodation and food. I recommend visiting during winter or spring, also not staying for more than a week. There are historic sites such as Tagore's house, the university he founded, Khoyi haat, etc. only drawbacks are there are frequent power cuts and plenty of mosquitoes.

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