A tour to Shantiniketan with budget details

- September 20, 2017


Shantiniketan

Shantiniketan is a place which does not need any introduction. Yet for those who need an introduction, Shantiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, approximately 180 kilometres north of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). It was made famous by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, whose vision became what is now a university town (Viswa-Bharati University) that attracts thousands of visitors each year during various times of the year.

Shantiniketan, is an exception to this overwhelming chaos stereotypically associated with India. Our final stop on trip to India for an art class was the peaceful town of Shantiniketan. Shantiniketan was a town surrounded by small villages and consisting of chair shops every couple blocks.
I believe that sometimes you are destined to travel to a destination that you are attached to at some point in time. So here I was traveling to Shantiniketan when everyone else was heading to the hills to take respite from the heat and humidity. Shantiniketan/Bolpur can be best reached from Kolkata by road or rail.
How to go:

Padatik express

Bolpur is the railway station for Shantiniketan and it takes around two to three hours by train from Kolkata. Trains like Gana Devta Express, Shantiniketan Express, Visvabharati Fast Passenger, Darbhanga Passenger are some of the most convenient trains. It can also be reached by road. Train journey can be made interesting with the Baul songs(folk songs) of the local bauls and home made sweets (which is sold by local hawkers).We went by padatik express(fare for general is 85 INR & sleeper chair is180INR).

We started journey around 7:30 AM & we reached bolpur at 12PM.The road was good
and we reached Shantiniketan view Burdwan. Burdwan keep your eyes open for the makers for the 108 Shiva temple.

108 Shiva temple

The temples are still functional and are maintained bt Trust. It will not take more than 30 minutes to see thee Burdwan 108 Shiva Temples.

Where to stay:

Baul Monn Holiday Resort is a nice and quiet stay away from the hustles and bustles of Bolpur Township. we are backpackers so we stay at Hotel sonar kella which cost INR 400 for 3 preson.

When to go:

In late January the nights were cold and days were pleasant in Shantiniketan. So, I think this is the best time to visit the place if you want a quiet holiday or relaxing weekend trip. Poushmela was just over and there were fewer crowds. If the festivals are main attraction for you then you should visit Shantiniketanin December during Poush Mela or in March to get the flavor of Holi in the form of Vasanta Utsab celebrated in the Visva Bharati university ground.

Things to do:

Visva Bharati University and Uttarayan Complex (where the poet and his family lived) are the main attractions. But there are much more to see and enjoy in Shantiniketan.

Place to visit :

1.Tagore's ashrama