Santiniketan
Advertisement
By Air
Kolkata International airport is the nearest aerodrome to Santiniketan. Kolkata is about 210 km from Santiniketan. Taxi fare from airport to Santiniketan is about Rs 4000. Kolkata is well connected by air to all major airports in India and also connected to many major cities in India.
Airports Near Santiniketan
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Intl Airport, Kolkata (CCU) International 142 km
Sonari Airport, Jamshedpur (IXW) Domestic 194 km
Bisra Munda Airport, Ranchi (IXR) Domestic 266 km
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (HYD) International 1257 km
By Train
Bolpur is the railway station for Santiniketan. It is two to three hours by train from Kolkata. Convenient connections are 3017/3018 Gana Devta Express departing Howrah at 6.05 AM, 3015/3016 Shantiniketan Express departing Howrah at 10:05 AM (this is the only train which originates/terminates in Howrah and Bolpur, so one has a better chance of finding seats on this train rather than the other trains if one buys unreserved tickets. If you are buying reserved tickets, then it won't make a difference), 2347/2348 Sahid Rampurhat Express departing Howrah at 12 noon (and taking only 2 hours 20 min - the shortest time ).
By Bus
Santiniketan is well connected by buses from all around. From Kolkata, if you want to go by bus, then you have to take Kolkata-Siliguri bus or Kolkata-Suri bus. For Silguri bound bus you have to get down near Panagarh and for Suri bound bus you have to get down near Ilambazar and for both cases you have to catch another bus for Santiniketan.
By Car
Santiniketan is connected with Kolkata by an excellent road. From Kolkata travel to Dankuni and take the Durgapur Expressway. It is now part of NH2. It will bypass Saktigarh and Bardhaman. At Panagarh (Darjeeling Mor) turn right. After the highway crosses the Ajay river take the road to the right at Ilambazar and proceed towards Bolpur. At the Santiniketan-Sriniketan junction (also called Surul Mor) take the road to the left. Santiniketan is 212 km from Kolkata by road. Good drivers can cover the distance in about 3 hours.
Advertisement
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.
Chhatimtala
Chhatimtala was the place where Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, father of famous poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, meditated daily and devoted himself to world peace. This is famous tourist spot situated at Shantiniketan. Chhatimtala is closely related to Vishva Bharati University as the students who are graduated from here are honored with a branch of Saptaparni tree seen in Chhatimtala. There is a prayer hall of Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, which attracts many visitors is located in this place.
Nippon Bhavana
a centre aimed at fostering India - Japan relations, is located in Santhiniketan. The donor of this centre is Bippon Bhavana of Visva Bharati in Japan. The centre, independent one and not under the control of Visva Baharthi University, carries out contact and exchange program with Japan. Nippon centre has collaborations with many bhavanas of University; presently Japanese studies department is placed in Nippon Bhavana.
It has a worthy Library holding many valuable books, especially Japanese books. This is a right place to come across with Japanese literature, culture and artistic features. Many scholars visit this study centre and many facilities to carry out research in Indo-Japan relations are available here. Seminars and symposiums are arranged regularly here, the topics related to India-Japan relations and Japanese culture.
Uttarayan Complex
The poet lived and worked in the Northern Complex consisting of several buildings as : Udayana, Konarka, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi. The Bichitra ( or, Rabindra Bhavan ) designed by the poet's son Rathindranath Tagore.
Black House
A mud building known for its relief works done by stalwarts like Ram Kinkar and Prabhas Sen. Usually the final year student of Visva Bharati stay here.
Prayer Hall
A prayer hall, made of several colored Belgium glasses with marble steps on all the four sides by the poet's father in 1863. During evening service, candle is lit around the prayer hall, and it wears a magnificent look in flickering light. Prayers are held on Wednesday.
China Bhavana
A centre for Chinese studies. Natir Puja, a dance drama of Tagore is painted on its wall under the guidance of Nandalal Bose, pioneering Indian artist.
Kankalitala
On the bank of the river Kopai is Knankalitala, one of the sacred Satipithas. A temple there.
Information not available
June - August -> (°C) - Rainy
January - June -> 34(°C) - Summer
July - December -> 15(°C) - Winter
Advertisement
Photo Gallery
![](javascript:winopenlocfront("1306150297719.jpg"))
![](javascript:winopenlocfront("1306150297339.jpg"))
![](javascript:winopenlocfront("1306150297380.jpg"))
![](javascript:winopenlocfront("13061502979.jpg"))
![](javascript:winopenlocfront("1306150297340.jpg"))