Shantiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, approximately 180 kilometres north of Kolkata. It was made by the famous Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, whose vision became what is now a university town that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Santiniketan is a tourist attraction because Rabindranath Tagore wrote many of his literary classics here, and his house is a place of historical importance.
Attraction in shantiniketan:
- Prayer Hall: A prayer hall made of several coloured Belgium glass with marble steps on all the four sides. A prayer hall made of several coloured Belgium glass with marble steps on all the four sides, by the poet's father, Debendranath Tagore in 1863. During evening service candle is all around the prayer hall, and it wears a magnificent look in flickering light. Prayers are held on Wednesday.
- Dehali: Rabindranath used to live with his wife Mrinalini Devi in this two storied building.
- China Bhavana: A centre for Chinese studies. Natir Puja, a dance drama of Tagore is painted on its wall.
- Black House: A mud building known for its relief works done by stalwarts like Ram Kinkar and Prabhas Sen.
- Shantiniketan Griha: The oldest building of Santiniketan. This is the first building in santiniketan.this is built by Rabindranath Tagore's father Debendranath Tagore.Little Rabi when came here with his father they stayed here.When Rabi went to Himalaya they came here first.
- Kala Bhavan: The College of Fine Arts & Crafts has a museum exhibiting sculptures, frescoes & murals and a library of art books.
- Uttarayan Complex: The poet lived and worked in the Northern Complex consisting of several buildings as : Udayana, Konarka, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi.
- Sangeet Bhavan: College of Dance and Music. The University is replete with works on Art, Music and the Humanities.
- Chhatimtala: Here Maharshi Devendranath, the father of Rabindranath Tagore, used to meditate. Prayers are held usually at Convocation time.
- Kankalitala: This is one of the sacred Shaktipithas, located on the bank of the river Kopai. A temple is located here.
- Visva-Bharati Central Library: Paradise for Book Lovers.
- Gardens and Parks at Shantiniketan: Deer Park : Near Sriniketan, 3 km from Shantiniketan. Originally, the area was a fast eroding 'Khowai'. It is now a large wooded area with herds of deer and makes a natural bird sanctuary.
- Shopping: Various handicrafts and handlooms can be bought here.
Eateries: Shantiniketan is famous for its Bengali themed food, especially fish curry
|