23/11/2017
Santiniketan, located on the outskirts of Bolpur town known globally for renowned Vishwabharti University.
The earlier name of Santiniketan was Bhubandanga, on the name of the Jamindar, Bhuban Sinha (Land-lord) father of Satyendra Prasanno Sinha. Lord Satyendra Prasanno Sinha (Singh) gave this land to by Maharshi Devendra Nath Thakur, father of Noble prize winner poet Rabindranath Tagore in the year 1862 for a noble mission, to set up a school. Although there are no documentary proof is available that this piece of land was sold or donated.
Rabindranath Tagore, who had an imagination of open learning system within the nature started a school, Patha Bhavana , in1901 in this place with an ideology - that learning in a very natural environment would be additional pleasurable and fruitful. Interestingly the Patha Bhavana started with five students and all of them were from Kolkata (that time Calcutta). The learning school had adopted the methodology of Channakya, the Guru of Maurya Dynasty, where an open learning system was implemented within nature where students used to remain close to their teacher’s heart. The main objective of the education was develop students with a culture of an Ashram where they not only become scholars but also become a true human being with a sense and responsibility towards society. Rabindranath Tagore wished to build and strengthen the Indian Society and followed the same in his Institution – The Vishwa-Bharati University (A place for Global Education and study) was his step towards Indian globalization was set up in the year 1913, from the money he got from noble prize.
After 114 years of its establishment Santiniketan is still delivering the quality education to global pupil. The few most famous students of Vishwabharti University are ex. Prime Minister of India Indira Ghandhi, noble prize woner economist Amartya Sen, historian R. Shiva Kumar, renowned filmmakerSatyajit Ray.
As on today, Shantinikatan has become a major tourist attraction not only for Vishwabharti but also for the natural beauty and splendour. Bolpur is emerging as the largest town of the Birbhum district and very soon it may become the district headquarter.
Santiniketan enjoys the culture of Rabindra era, a unique flavour of true and genuine Bengali culture which promotes peace, truth and non-violence. Basanta Utsav (Holi), Barsha Mangal, Sharodutsav, Nandan Mela, Poush Mela, Magh Mela, Rabindra Jayanti (the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore) are the major festivals celebrated in Santiniketan. Other Bengali festivals like Durgapuja, Kalipuja, and other pujas are held round the year and celebrated with spirt and colour.
The district has a large popularity of Sahajiya or the Baul community who sing for truth and humanity. The Baul community is said to be the amalgamation of Hindu and Islamic culture. Lalon Fokir is considered the foremost vital poet-practitioner of the Baul tradition. Baul music had a good influence on Rabindranath Tagore's poetry and on his music. Though Bauls comprise solely a little fraction of the Bengali population, their influence on the culture of geographical region is significant. In 2005, the Baul tradition was enclosed within the list of "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO.
By Air
The nearest airport is Kolkata, The Durgapur airport is closer but does not have services
By Car
160 Km from Kolkata. Drive in Durgapur Expressway till you reach Burdwan. After crossing Burdwan look for the intersection of Burdwan bye-pass and take a U tern of old GT road. Drive for 5 KM and look for Hazrat Pir Musa Baba Mazar. After Mazar the let road to reach up to Bhedia. Cross the Ajay Bridge and drive for 2 kilometres to reach Bolpur.
By Bus
We do not recommend to go to Bolpur from Kolkata. No Direct bus service is available to Bolpur. You have to come to Burdwan and change bus for Bolpur or drop down at Panagarh More (Intersection) to change bus for Bolpur. You have a hire a taxi or rickshaw from Jamboni (Bolpur bus stand) to reach Santiniketan.
By Train is given in picture
