Education system

In

1901, Rabindranath started a school at

Shatiniketan named Brahmachary Ashram
that was modeled on the lines of the ancient
gurukul system.
After he received the Nobel Prize that
enhanced not only the Pride of India but also
the prestige of Shantiniketan, the school was
expanded into a university. It was renamed
Visva Bharati, which Tagore defined as
where the world makes a home in a nest.

USP
The

Open-air education as opposed to being

cloistered in the four walls of a classroom
became a reality here. Eminent people from
all over the world came to Visva-Bharati
during its peak period.
Visva-Bharati became a Central University
in 1951. Leaves of the Chhatim (Saptaparni
or 7-leaf sprigs) trees are given to
graduating students at the annual
convocation.

Kala

Bhavana, the art college of Shantiniketan, is

still considered one of the best art colleges in the
world. Other institutions here include Vidya
Bhavana: the Institute of Humanities, Shiksha
Bhavana: the Institute of Science, Sangit
Bhavana: Institute of Dance, Drama and Music,
Vinaya Bhavana: Institute of Education, Rabindra
Bhavana, Institute of Tagore Studies and
Research, Palli-Samgathana Vibhaga: Institute of
Rural Reconstruction, and Palli Shiksha Bhavana:
Institute of Agricultural Sciences.

Famous for
Shantiniketan

is also home to Amartya Sen, the 1998

Nobel Prize winner in Economics.
Shantiniketan is adorned by splendid sculptures,
frescoes, murals and paintings of Rabindranath,
Nandalal Bose, Ramkinkar, Binod Bihari
Mukhopadhaya and others.
Shantiniketan is also famous for its fairs and festivals
like Poush Mela (December), Joydev Mela (January),
Basanta Utsav (March) and the famous Mystic Baul
Singers.

ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

The

Uttarayana complex where the poet lived

consists of several buildings such as Udayana,
Konark, Shyamali, Punascha, and Udichi, which
reflect the architectural genius of the poets
illustrious son the late Rathindranath Tagore.
In addition, there are Kala Bhavan, Sangeet
Bhavan, Patha Bhavan, Bichitra, Cheena
Bhavan, and Hindi Bhavan. You can also see
Chhatimtala and the Prayer Hall.

Nearby Destinations Opportunities

Close

to Shantiniketan there are several

tourist destinations such as Fullora (40
kms), Nalhati (104 kms), Sainthia,
Kankalitala (7 kms), Bakreshwar (58
kms), Massanjore (78 kms), and Tarapith
(80 kms). The first five are Shaktipithas
where the different body-parts of Goddess
Sati is said to have fallen

Accessibility
Rail:

The nearest railhead is Bolpur, 2 kms

away from Shantiniketan,. Trains connect
Bolpur with Howrah/Sealdah (Kolkata).
Road: An excellent road connects
Shantiniketan with Kolkata (212 kms)
Air: The nearest airport is Calcutta approx.
212 km.
Local Transport: Tourist cars and buses
available from the Manager, Tourist Lodge.
Fare is charged according to distance and time