Santiniketan is a great weekend getaway
with friends and family – just 200 kms away from Kolkata. A few years back when
we had been there, as first timers – we did all the main spots. The recent
visit was however just to attend Poush Mela.
Poet Rabindranath Tagore’s abode
That is how we all know this place.
Viswabharati University there was founded by him, famous for its open-air
classes where students attend the lectures by sitting under trees amidst
nature. Indira Gandhi, Satyajit Ray and Amartya Sen were from this University.
Kala Bhavan (The Art School), Sangeet Bhavan (Music School) are all
within walking distance.
Uttarayan where the poet spent many years
of his life and made those wonderful creations has several buildings inside
that is quite a tour. It is closed on Wednesday and bags or cameras are not
allowed inside.
‘Rabindra Bhavan’ is a must visit to see
the wonderful collection of photographs of Tagore and his family, his personal
possessions, various publications, paintings, gifts received by him, that are
kept in the Museum.
A Rickshaw tour
Hire a rickshaw and they will guide you
to the important places – Chhatimtala, a huge banyan tree that was used as
meditation space and to create those literary works by the Tagore family, the
stores for handicrafts, the deer park, the Kopai river, Shonajhuri etc. One
rickshaw can accommodate two people and will cost around INR 300 to 350 for the
whole day. Paying for the rickshaw puller’s lunch is optional.
Fun Fair
If you missed the Poush Mela in December,
you can plan your trip during Basanta Utsav in March to celebrate Holi. The
essence of the place can be best seen during these fairs. The Khoai Mela held
every Saturday offers stoles, sarees, show pieces, handbags for sale. The mood
sets in when the Baul sings a local folklore.
Extra Days
If you stay for a day you can do
Kankalitala temple, one of the Shaktipiths in India on Kopai riverbank, just 10
kms away from Santiniketan or cover Tarapith, Bakreswar Massanjore.
Commuting to Santiniketan
Many trains like Viswabharati, Ganadevta,
Rampurhat Express takes you to Santiniketan in less than 2 hours. Ganadevta
leaves Howrah at 6.55 AM and reaches Bolpur station at 8.44 AM. By road, it
takes around 3 / 4 hours from Kolkata.
If you return on the same day, catch the
Rampurhat Express at 5.38 PM. or Ganadevta at 6.29 PM reaching Howrah in
approximately 3 hours i.e. around 9/9.30 PM.
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