birbhum santiniketan

Tourists visiting Tagore’s Ashrama can get guides from the entrance of Rabindra Bhaban or Uttarayan Complex. In 1863, this area saw its first building being constructed, which was a guesthouse constructed by Rabindranath Tagore’s father Maharshi Devendranath Tagore. This guesthouse was named Santiniketan, which gradually became the name of the entire area. The hermitage was formed by Maharshi Devendranath Tagore in 1888 with the help of a Trust Deed. The most popular buildings associated with the Tagore family are Dehali, Santiniketan Building, Nutan Bari, etc. Amra Kunja or the mango grove is the place where major functions and school classes are held and even few institutions of the Viswa Bharati are situated in this area. Since classes in Santiniketan are mostly held outdoors, visitors are not allowed to walk into these areas. On the eastern side of this hermitage, there is a huge banyan tree on a hilltop, which was the favoured spot of Maharshi Devendranath Tagore. This ashram is open every day except Wednesday.
 

Uttarayan Complex is the place where Rabindranath Tagore used to live and is hence a very popular location. The entire complex is divided into many buildings in varying architectural styles. Tagore’s five houses inside the Uttarayan Complex are Udichi, Udayana, Konarka, Shamali and Punascha. In 1863, Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, Tagore’s father, constructed a Prayer Hall in this complex, where Bramho prayers were conducted. The museum and gallery of this complex exhibits a watch and a bangle belonging to Rabindranath Tagore. Many frescoes are displayed in this complex’s gallery. This complex is closed on Wednesday, as it happens to be the prayer day.
 

There is a centre in Santiniketan that focuses on developing relationship between India and China. This centre for studying about China is known as Cheena Bhavan that promotes the liaison between the two nations. The Chinese society and culture are researched deeply in the facilities offered in this Bhavan and various Chinese scholars, who teach the students of Viswa Bharati about China often visit this place.

In 1919, Rabindranath Tagore established Kala Bhavan, the centre for study and research in visual arts in India, in the complex of Viswa Bharati University. The subjects offered here include history of art, painting, sculpture, graphics and artistic design on which graduate and diploma courses are available. The facilities extended to the students are Studio for Visual Arts, Kala Bhavana Museum that has around 19000 articles in it, discussion forums and others. This place is also known for its research conducted by students.
 

In 1925, Rabindranath Tagore founded Vidya Bhavan, which is the study centre for the social sciences and humanities. It is situated in Santiniketan’s Viswa Bharati University complex. Here regular graduate and undergraduate courses are offered. For international students of this institute, one-year diploma course is offered on Indian culture and civilisation. This centre also has an Archaeological Museum that exhibits documents written in various languages like Bengali, Oriya, Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian and Tibetan.
 

Adventure enthusiasts get ready for a treat. The Ballabhpur wildlife sanctuary features wildlife at its best with Blackbucks and the Spotted Deer being the predominant animals. To add to this list are jackals, foxes and a whole lot of aquatic birds. For casual holiday tourists, Ballabhpur is a great way to spend an evening with family, friends and especially kids.