Santineketan rightly synonymous with its name that literally mean peace (shanti) abode (niketan). Santineketan is famous for and only Rabindranath Tagore, who founded a school here in 1901, which later developed into renowned Vishwa Bharati University. The best part of the university is the relationship of students with nature. The open classrooms, leafy university grounds and emphasis of peace rather than material gains make this university different from rest. Santineketan holds the Bengali culture and its intellectual capabilities where mind is synchronized with the lush environment. Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore dreamt of a school where there were no restriction and pupils would learn from their ambiance. The classrooms were under sky and mind dwelt into the cosmos and creativity blossomed. His dream was successful as Santineketan produced numerous creative laureates.



Apart from Vishwa Bharati there are others attractions like Kala Bhawan (Art school), which is famous all over world, Sangeet Bhavan (school of dance and music), Patha Bhavan (the school) and the prayer hall. The Kala Bhavan art gallery keeps paintings of renowned artists of Bengal like Abindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose. There are also rare sculptures of different artist bygone era.

Sight And Activities

A museum where relics of Rabindranath and other artists are kept safely. Apart from that Vichittra and Art Gallery (Nandan) is also good place to visit. Uttarayana complex is serene and peaceful place once an abodes of Tagore. Udayana, Konarka, Shamali, Punassha and Udichi, Upasana Mandir and Shantineketan Bari are some of the oldest sanctums.

Absorb the ambiance of different schools in Shantineketan. Open air education where students have their tryst with nature. Creativity flows in this environment. Hang around with national and international students here, enjoy tea season in a lazy afternoon and simply enjoy.

Sriniketan
Sriniketan is a rural village and located just 3 km from Shantineketan. It epitomize the Tagore’s vision of rural development, stresses on agriculture, adult education, village welfare, cottage industry and handicrafts. You can buy nice and inexpensive handicrafts such as batik, kantha embroidery, weaving, bell metal products, dhokra metal ware, leather goods and terracotta pottery from the village co-operative stores.

Festivals, Dance And Drama
Throughout the year Shantineketan host some great festivals with much fanfare. On Rabindranath Tagore’s birthday(May 8) a nice cultural program is been organized and prayer hall is illuminated with thousands candles. Push Mela ( December 22-25) when hordes of tourist come here to observe folk dance and songs, enjoy shopping and learn about Bengal tribal lifestyle and culture. Another grandiose festival is Basanta utsav that marks the Indian holi. This colorful festival is far different other holi playing different region of the country. During the festival day students sport in traditional attire dancing and singing their ways through Amrakunja, followed by open-air variety programs.