Weekend Trip To Santiniketan West Bengal

Santiniketan is the ideal weekend holiday destination near Kolkata for travelers who want to escape from the hustle bustle of city life. The green forest of casuarina and devil's tree, the red soil, and the Kopai River are what best describe Santiniketan to travelers. Located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, Santiniketan is truly the abode of peace and a perfect weekend getaway for city dwellers.

In 1862, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore came across this beautiful landscape of red soil during his trip to Raipur. He decided to make a small house there and renamed the place Santiniketan [Abode of Peace]. Later his son, the famous poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore founded his open air school Patha Bhavan. Since then, Santiniketan has been a center for cultural exchange between the east and the west.

How to Reach Santiniketan?

1. By Air: Kolkata is the nearest airport. From Kolkata, a traveler can reach Santiniketan by train, bus, or private car.

2. By Rail: The nearest station is Bolpur, 2 km away. Trains connecting Bolpur with Howrah/Sealdah [Kolkata] are 3015/3016 Howrah-Bolpur Santiniketan Express, 3133/3134 Sealdah-Mughalsarai Express, 2557/ 2558 Kanchenjunga Express, 335/336 Vishwabharati Fast Passenger, Ganadevata, Danapur Fast Passenger, and Tarapith Passenger.

3. By Road: Travelers can reach Santiniketan by road [213 km]. Daily buses ply from Kolkata, Burdwan, and Durgapur. Tourists can also rent a car.

Sightseeing at Santiniketan:-

Mandir [The Glass Prayer House]: This is the place where Maharshi Debendranath Tagore used to pray Nirakar Brahma or the shapeless God. The prayer hall is made of colorful cut glasses creating a divine beauty. The prayer hall has no idol, as Tagore was a non believer of idol worship. Special services are held during auspicious days like 25th December, Rabindranath's Birthday, etc. Regular services are held every Wednesday morning. People from all religious and castes are welcome to participate during the prayers. Students and teachers sing songs written by Rabindranath Tagore during the prayers.

Patha Bhavan [The Open Air School]: Rabindranath started his open air school with just 5 students. Today, this school still runs, where students come to exchange knowldege from different parts of India and abroad. The school follows traditional Indian education system and maintains a unique environment. Tourists can freely roam within the campus and see this school held under huge mango trees.

Rabindra Bhavan [The Museum]: The museum displays all the personal belongings of Rabindranath and the gifts he got from different countries. It also displays famous letters that he received from eminent personalities.

Uttarayan Complex: The complex incorporates different buildings where Rabindranath lived at different time during his life. The complex once displayed the Nobel Prize that he received in 1913 in literature. The medal was stolen in 2004 along with his bangle, a watch, and important citations.


Chhatimtala: The place got its name from the devil's tree [Chhatim] present in the area. This is the place where Debendranath used to meditate and got enlightened. The university convocation is held here where the students are presented the 7 leaves of the devil's tree along with their certificate.

Best Time to Visit Santiniketan:-

The best time to visit this place is during the festive months which mark the change of seasons. The major festivals are Poush Mela [December 23-25, celebrating the winter], Basonto Utsav [March, celebration of spring], Varsha Mangal [July, celebrating the monsoon], Sharodtotshov [October-November, celebrating the autumn], Holokorshon/Brikhshoropon [the festival of plowing and planting trees].

Summer is too hot when the maximum temperature rises to 45 degree Celsius. Winter is pleasant minimum temperature being around 8 degree Celsius.

Tribal jewelries made by the locals are major attraction to tourists. Book lovers should pay a visit to Subarnorekha, a book shop where one can browse and read books at leisure. Travelers can buy terracotta murals and local handicraft items as souvenir for friends and families.

There are plenty of decent hotels, lodges, and guest houses to stay. Travelers who want to live amidst the forest, in mud houses, a little away from the main town, yet near the highway can consider BABLI. Camelia and Mark and Meadows are two luxury hotels in Santiniketan with all the modern amenities.

Nearby places to Visit:-

1. Kankalitala [9km]: On the bank of the river Kopai, this Kali temple is located.

2. Deer Park [4 km]: Located in the Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, this reserve forest is a nice place to witness the local flora and fauna.

3. Joydev-Kenduli [30 km]: This is the birth place of poet Jaydev, author of the Geeta Govinda, a 12th century masterpiece in Sanskrit. A fair is held here during January to celebrate the birthday of Kabi Jaydev. Baul songs are the principal attraction of this fair.

4. Tarapith [88 km]: a famous Hindu pilgrimage center.

5. Massanjore [75km]: this is located in Dumka, Bihar. A dam is located on the River Mayurakshi. It is a hilly landscape, ideal for a day excursion.

The fresh air, the calm and quiet surroundings, the chirps of the birds will rejuvenate every traveler's mind and soul. tourists who look forward to a peaceful vacation in the lap of the Mother Earth will find Santiniketan, the ideal destination to unwind and give a fresh start to life.