Shantiniketan Tour

Day 01: Kolkata to Shantiniketan
Transfer from Kolkata to Shantiniketan (190 kms / 04 hrs). Shantiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. It is famous due to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, whose vision became what is now a University Town – Visva-Bharati University. The place now attracts thousands of visitors each year. Shantiniketan was earlier called Bhubandanga (named after Bhuban Dakat, a local dacoit), and was owned by the Tagore family. In 1862, Maharishi Devendranath Tagore, the poet’s father, while on a boat journey to Raipur, came across a landscape with red soil and lush green paddy fields. He decided to plant more saplings and built a small house. He called his home Shantiniketan. He founded an ashram here in 1863 and became the initiator of the Bramho Samaj. Check into your hotel. Overnight at Shantiniketan.

Day 02: Shantiniketan Local Sightseeing
Morning after breakfast proceed for a full day local sightseeing in and around Shantiniketan. Visit Kankalitala, one of the 51 Shakti-Peeeths in India. The temple boasts of a pond adjoining the sanctum sanctorum that is revered as the Temple goddess’s abode. Shakti Peeth’s emergence in Hindu Mythology was when Lord Shiva carried the corpse of Goddess Sati and wandered about leaving body parts across 51 locations. One that has now become a place of worship for devout pilgrims. Kankalitala got the name from the Bengali term for bones, “Kankal” or the waist of Sati Devi which had fallen here. Later proceed to visit another of the 51 Shakti Peeths of India at Fullara. The temple town is located at a distance of 30 kms from Bolpur. A large stone is symbolised and worshipped as Devi Sati in the temple. Further proceed to visit the Kopai River, a tributary of the Bakreshwar River. Rabindranath Tagore’s creations came alive through his works that spoke of the famous Kopai River and how it nurtured life. Bengali’s have their childhood connection to the River having accustomed themselves to rote learning the Bengali poem that speaks volumes of the river in “Aamader Choto Nodi”.

Also visit the “Sonajhuri Haat” surpassing the dry forested area in the Khoai region of Bolpur in Shantiniketan. The red laterite soil earmarks the uniqueness of the forest. A trip to Khoai is incomplete without visiting the famed “Sonajhuri Haat” or the “Saturday Haat”. The haat bazaar comes alive with multiple artisans selling their milieu of artefacts spanning across a breadth of the forest. There are several folk artists and performers who come together to give the tourists a peek into their mainstream art form. There are multiple options for snacking too and is a go to destination for weekend tourists. Transfer back to hotel. Overnight at Shantiniketan.

Day 03: Shantiniketan to Jaydev Kenduli + Surul Zamindar Bari + solar Hub, Stay Kenduli (Tepantar theatre village or Aruni Resort)
Morning after breakfast proceed to Jaydev Kenduli, a village in the district of Birbhum that is regarded as the birthplace of poet “Jayadeva” though it is speculated. The poet is revered for writing “Gita Govindam”. The place offers a peek into the historically rich village of Bengal that boasts of several activities and attractions for the discerning traveller. Visit some of the nearby attractions that include the Radha Binod Temple. One that was constructed by the Maharani of Burdwan in 1683 in reverence to Lord Krishna. The temple walls speak of the intricacies that have gone into the making of this temple involving terracotta art. Also visit Dubrajpur’s Mama Bhagne Hills. Situated on a hillock the place also boasts of a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Bakreswar Hot Spring is another attraction which is located adjacent to the Bakreswar Temple. The temple is another one of the 51 Shakti Peeths located in the state of West Bengal. The hot spring is speculated by locals to cure diseases.

Further visit the Surul Zamindar Bari that is located close to the campus of Visva Bharati in Bolpur district of Shantiniketan. The colossal structure of the Zamindar Bari makes Surul village stand out. If time permits also visit the solar hub. Transfer to hotel / resort.  Overnight at Kenduli.

Day 04: Transfer to Kolkata
Morning after breakfast transfer back to Kolkata. Tour Ends.