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2007-02-23 18:11:28 · 9 answers · asked by shantanu m 1 in Travel India Kolkatta

9 answers

Shanti Niketan, Tagore's university township, is a must on any itinerary that plots Bengal as a stopover. Situated 136 km northwest of Kolkata, this is the place where Rabindranath Tagore lived and established a university.

2007-02-23 19:03:11 · answer #1 · answered by jitesh kumar 3 · 1 1

Santiniketan 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 (Visva-Bharati University) that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Santiniketan is also a tourist attraction because Rabindranath wrote many of his literary classics here, and his house is a place of historical importance.

Santiniketan was previously called Bhubandanga (named after Bhuban Dakat, a local dacoit), and owned by the Tagore family. Rabindranath's father, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, found it very peaceful and renamed it Santiniketan, which means abode (niketan) of peace (shanti). It was here that Rabindranath Tagore started Patha Bhavana, the school of his ideals, whose central premise was that learning in a natural environment would be more enjoyable and fruitful. After he received the Nobel Prize(1913), the school was expanded into a university. Many world famous teachers have become associated with it, and Indira Gandhi was one of its more illustrious students.

For more details, please check the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiniketan:

2007-02-24 09:28:14 · answer #2 · answered by vakayil k 7 · 1 0

Shanti niketan,the ashram founded by ravindra nath tagore is in calcutta,it's about 211 kms away from calcutta by road.

2007-02-24 02:19:29 · answer #3 · answered by Ms. potter 2 · 1 0

Shanti Niketan Vidyapeeth (SNVP) situated at Mawana road Meerut (Uttar Pardesh), India, was founded in 2005 by Nageen Charitable Trust (NCT).The school is situated at 6th Km. Milestone on Meerut-Bijnore highway, away from pollution and hubbub of city life. The school campus is spread over 15 acres of land.

Cheers.

2007-02-24 02:31:20 · answer #4 · answered by Zain 7 · 0 2

Santiniketan (Bangla: শান্তিনেকতন Shantiniketôn) 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 (Visva-Bharati University) that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Santiniketan is also a tourist attraction because Rabindranath wrote many of his literary classics here, and his house is a place of historical importance.

Santiniketan was previously called Bhubandanga (named after Bhuban Dakat, a local dacoit), and owned by the Tagore family. Rabindranath's father, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, found it very peaceful and renamed it Santiniketan, which means abode (niketan) of peace (shanti). It was here that Rabindranath Tagore started Patha Bhavana, the school of his ideals, whose central premise was that learning in a natural environment would be more enjoyable and fruitful. After he received the Nobel Prize(1913), the school was expanded into a university. Many world famous teachers have become associated with it, and Indira Gandhi was one of its more illustrious students.

Kala Bhavana, the art college of Santiniketan, is still considered one of the best art colleges in the world. Other institutions here include Vidya Bhavana; the Institute of Humanities, Shiksha Bhavana; the Institue of Science, Sangit Bhavana; Institute of Dance, Drama and Music, Vinaya Bhavana; Institute of Education, Rabindra Bhavana, Institute of Tagore Studies and Research, Palli-Samgathana Vibhaga; Institute of Rural Reconstruction, and Palli Shiksha Bhavana; Institute of Agricultural Sciences. There are also other centres, affiliated to major institutions such as Nippon Bhavana, the Indira Gandhi Centre for National Integration, Rural Extension Centre, Silpa Sadana; Centre for Rural Craft, Technology and Design, Palli-Charcha Kendra; Centre for Social Studies and Rural Development, Centre for Biotechnology, Centre for Mathematics Education, Centre for Environmental Studies, Computer Centre and Indira Gandhi Centre for National Integration. As well as Patha-Bhavana, there are two schools for kindergarten level education; Mrinalini Ananda Pathsala, Santosh Pathsala; a school for primary and secondary education known as Shiksha Satra, and a school of higher secondary education known as Uttar-Shiksha Sadana.

Santiniketan is also home to Amartya Sen, the 1998 Nobel Prize winner in Economics

Major events
Numerous social and cultural events taking place through out the year, have become part and parcel of Santiniketan.These include - Basanta Utsav, Barsha Mangal, Sharodutsav, Nandan Mela, Poush Mela, Magh Mela, Rabindra Jayanti to name a few. Of these, the Poush Mela deserves special mention, this being a major tourist attraction.It is a 3-day fair (Bengali, mela means a fair ),starting on the seventh day of the Bengali month Poush(usually, last week of December).It fetches not just tourists, but also artisans, folk singers, dancers, and the traditional Baul from the neighbourhood.





[edit] Recent developments
Santiniketan has changed considerably since the days of Tagore. Although Visva-Bharati University still plays an active role, Santiniketan has become a haven for India's nouveau riche, and large houses have been built on what used to be barren, khoai (desert) and condominiums are becoming commonplace. But travel beyond the outskirts of the ever-expanding "small town" and one is soon back in village India.

The idyllic existence envisioned by Tagore in Santiniketan is rapidly disappearing, but it still maintains a "college town" feel, with many large shade-covered open spaces on campus where students can congregate. The student population remains international in origin, as does the faculty, and some of the best thinkers and intellectuals in India remember their college life in Santiniketan with fondness.

2007-02-25 01:14:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Santiniketan 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 (Visva-Bharati University) that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Santiniketan is also a tourist attraction because Rabindranath wrote many of his literary classics here, and his house is a place of historical importance.-

2007-02-24 11:59:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1 2

Shantiniketan is a famous university town in West Bengal. It has become a tourist spot because of its association with Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), one of Bengal's greatest figures. Of course the natural charm of Shantiniketan is a major draw in itself.
SANTINIKETAN:

CONNECTIONS :

From Calcutta Shantiniketan is 136 kms:

By Rail: By train from Howrah to Bolpur. Shantiniketan is 2 kms from Bolpur by cycle rickshaw.

By Road: By road it is 211 km from Calcutta. Direct bus service.

LODGING:

WBTDC Tourist Lodge.

There are tourist lodges and Tourist cottages run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation. Visva Bharati runs a guesthouse. There are youth hostels at Bolpur and Bakeswar. Private hotels are there at Bolpur.

Places to see

Udayan ShantiniketanThere are a Museum- Vichittra and Art Gallery- Nandan. Within the Uttarayana complex, there are five abodes of the Tagores- Udayana, Konarka, Shamali, Punassha and Udichi. Besides, Chhatimala, Upasana Mandir, and Shantiniketan Bari are some of the oldest sanctums.

Chatimtola is the place where the poet's father used to meditate. Leaves of the Saptaparni trees are given to graduating students at the annual convocation. The Prime Minister of India is the Chancellor of the University. Some of the famous students of Visva-Bharati include India's former Prime Mister the Ms Indira Gandhi (1917-1984), world famous film director Mr.Satyajit Ray (1921-1992) and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen.

Open air education as opposed to being cloistered in the four walls of a classroom became a reality here. At the Kala Bhavan and the Sangeet Bhavan the arts were given their rightful place in the Indian education system. Eminent people from all over the world came to Visva-Bharati during its peak period. Visva-Bharati became a Central University in 1951.

Shantiniketan is also famous for its various festivals which mark the changing seasons. The major festivals are Poush Mela (December), Maghotsab (February), Basanta Utsab (March), Varsha Mangal (July-August), Sharodutsab (Oct-Nov).

Bolpur Festival

Paus Mela a major landmark on the Bengali's culture calendar is almost as old as Shantiniketan. On the Seventh day of Paus in late December of 1843, Maehashi Debendranath Tagore became a Brahmo under the tutelage of Ram Chabdra Bigyabagish.

Sriniketan:

In 1922, Sriniketan was established as a rural reconstruction center. There is an agricultural college here. It is 3 kms from Shantiniketan.

Deer Park / Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary:

Black Buck, spotted deer, jackals, foxes and a variety of water birds are found here.

Kenduli:

Kenduli is 30 kms from Shantiniketan. Kenduli is the birth place of Bengal's first famous poet - Jaydev. Jaydev composed the famous Geeta Govinda. There are several temples here. Kenduli is famous for its folk song festival held during Makar Sankranti (Mid January). This festival is the largest of its kind in the state. Bauls, a sect of wandering ministrels, gather here during this festival.
Fairs and Festivals

Rabindra Janmotsab:

Though the birthdate of Rabindranath falls on May 8/9, the anniversary as well as the Bengali New Year is celebrated on the first day of the Bengali New Year (mid April).

Briksharopan:

Planting of saplings and Halakarshan, ploughing of fields on 22nd &23 Sravana (August).

Varshamangal

The festival of rains during August/ September.

Poush Utsav

(December 22/23-25). A fair is held at Shantiniketan from 7th to 9th Poush and Visva Bharati observes its foundation day. Tribal sports dances and folk songs including songs by Bauls, the-wandering minstrels of Bengal, are a part of the fair and festivities.

Maghotsav

Celebrated on the 11th of magha (January), to mark the anniversary of Brahmo Samaj.

Vasanta Utsav

Held to mark Holi. The students dance and sing their ways through Amrakunja, followed by open-air variety programs.
Excursions from Shantiniketan

Kankalitala (9km)

On the bank of the river Kopai is Knankalitala, one of the sacred Satipithas. A temple there.

Deer Park (4 km)

Located within the Ballavpur forest range adjacent to Shantiniketan. (closed on Wednesdays).

Joydev-Kenduli (30 km)

Birth place of poet Joydev, author of the Geeta Govinda, a 12th century masterpiece in Sanskrit. A fair is held here on Makar Sankranti (mid-January). Baul songs are the principal attraction of this mela.

Nonoor (18 km)

Birth place of kabi, Chandidas, famous for his Vaishnava Padavalis.

There is a temple dedicated to Devi Basuli.Bakreshwar (58 km)

Another Satipitha. Also famous for the Bakranath Shiva temple. There are a number of hot water springs with varying temperatures. The water coming out from the sulphurous hot springs has got therapeutic value.

Tarapith (88 km)

Numerous pilgrims visit the Tara Devi temple.

2007-02-24 06:26:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Shantiniketan is a town in Northeastern India, famous for its art school (Kala Bhavana) which is renowned throughout the world.

2007-02-24 02:17:22 · answer #8 · answered by Elisabeth 4 · 0 1

its in kolkatha

2007-02-24 02:15:37 · answer #9 · answered by chandrU 2 · 0 1

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