Megh Balika | Attractions Near Santiniketan

Visva-Bharati

Visva-Bharati (A Central University is a public central university located in Santiniketan, West Bengal. It was founded by Rabindranath Tagore who called it Visva-Bharati, which means the communion of the world with India. Until independence it was a college. Soon after independence, in 1951, the institution was given the status of a university and was renamed Visva-Bharati University. The English daily, The Nation, notes using the money he received with his Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913, the school was expanded and renamed Visva-Bharati University.

Tagore’s Ashrama

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 guest house constructed by Rabindranath Tagore’s father Maharshi Devendranath Tagore. This guest house 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.

Amar Kutir

Tourists interested in purchasing handicrafts and artefacts can visit Amar Kutir, which is located close to Santiniketan. Amar Kutir was a society or a cooperative movement by Rabindranath Tagore, to aid and develop the art and craft of the village folk. This society’s building was an ashram once where political prisoners of the British period were kept. The society is now known to produce handicrafts and goods like bamboo and batik crafts, Kantha stitched saris, leather goods, dokra jewellery and many more items.

Chhatimtala

The Chhatimtala is famous as Rabindranath Tagore used to have classes with the students of Viswa Bharati here. The place has a model of a palanquin built, which Maharshi had used to travel to Shantiniketan, which was known as Bhubandanga before . The place earns its name from the famous Chhatim tree and being the place which is the precursor behind the history of Shantineketan. A coveted place in the Viswa Bharati campus where in the early days Maharshi Debendranath Tagore used to sit and pray either alone or with others.

Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary

With an area of 200 hectares Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary located on the fringes of the University town of Bolpur is just the perfect getaway for your next weekend. Just a kilometer from the Viswa Bharati University area, this lush Wildlife Sanctuary is home to three large water bodies (Jheel) which hosts migratory as well as resident birds in plenty. The sanctuary was established in September 1967 and has one of the most successful deer conservation records in the state. It is home to numerous Cheethals (Spotted Deer), Blackbucks and other resident animals like jackals and foxes.

Bagdogra

Situated at the foothills of Himalayas in Darjeeling is a small hill station called Bagdogra. Just 11 km away from Siliguri, it is one of the most peaceful and untouched places in West Bengal. Often regarded as the gateway town to North-East India and the Himalayas, it is one of the most desired hill stations in the state. ‘It is better to explore the beauty of the same place once than hear about it a thousand times,’ Bagdogra is one of those places for sure.

New Digha

Digha is a famous coastal resort town that is touted to be one of the best places to visit in West Bengal. It is highly renowned for its untouched shallow sand beaches and religious temples. It is situated only one eighty-seven kilometres away from Kolkata and is touted to be the most famous weekend getaway for families. This lively town is untouched by commercial exploitation and helps you enjoy the joy of nature in the best way possible.

Sundarban

Sundarban is a cluster of most extensive estuarine forests and is considered to be one of the best tourist attractions in West Bengal. It spans from the river Hooghly in West Bengal to the Baleswar river in Bangladesh. It is the part of the world’s largest delta that is formed by river Ganges, and it has got its name from the mangrove plants known as the Sundari over here. It is the largest biosphere reserve and National Park in India.

Hooghly

Hooghly district is one of the districts of the Indian state of West Bengal. It can alternatively be spelt Hoogli or Hugli. The district is named after the Hooghly River. The headquarters of the district are at Hooghly-Chinsurah. There are four subdivisions: Chinsurah Sadar, Srirampore, Chandannagore, and Arambagh

Bishnupur

This is a beautiful town located in the Bankura district of West Bengal, and it offers many facets for the travellers to explore. It is widely reckoned for its pottery items made of terracotta work that reflect the craftsmanship of the artisans over here. The town was earlier the administrative capital under the reign of the Malla kings, but now it has transformed into a thriving centre for cultural activities, spirituality, and entertainment.