Are you planning a weekend tour that will cover one of the holiest temples of West Bengal and the famous Visva Bharati University. This tour plan will cover both these places and ensure a memorable weekend for you.
Tarapith is a small temple town in Birbhum district of West Bengal, known for its Tantric temple and attached cremation (maha smasan) grounds where sādhanā (tantric rituals) is performed. The Tantric Hindu temple is devoted to the goddess Tara, a terrifying Tantric aspect of the Devi, the chief temples of Shaktism.
Shantiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum District of West Bengal and about 163 km north of Kolkata. It is renowned internationally as India’s first Nobel laureate poet and visionary Rabindranath Tagore founded an institution that is now a University world famous university – Visva-Bharati University. The place attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Overview
Tarapith is famous for its Kali temple where thousands of devotees pay their offerings every day. On the other hand, Santiniketan is famous for Visva-Bharati University and as the workplace of Rabindranath Tagore. Visva-Bharati is the dream project of Rabindranath Tagore where education is imparted in the lap of nature and in a non conventional way.
This guide will provide all the required information that you need to plan your tour.
Ready for that?
For creating a good plan that suits your travel style and personal preferences, you need to understand –
– Major Attractions of the tour
– Route map
– Best time to visit
– Itinerary
– Transportation
– Places to Visit
Major Attractions of Santiniketan Tour
- Offer puja to goddess kali at the Tarapith Temple
- Visit Visva-Bharati University and see the works of Rabindranath Tagore
- See Rabindra Bhawan Museum.
- Enjoy Kopai river and the surrounding natural beauty
Route Map - Santiniketan Tour
Distance Chart
From - To | Distance (KM) |
|---|---|
Kolkata - Tarapith | 224 |
Kolkata - Bakreshwar | 214 |
Bakreshwar - Tarapith | 64 |
Tarapith - Santiniketan | 61 |
Santiniketan - Kolkata | 161 |
Santiniketan Tour Itinirary
Start early morning from Kolkata by car or train. Reach Tarapith by noon and check in to your hotel. Visit the temple and the surrounding markets in the evening.
More details on Tarapith is available here.
Wake up early morning and offer puja in the temple.
After puja, start for Santiniketan. On the way, visit the famous hot spring at Bakreshwar.
Reach Santiniketan in the afternoon and check in to your hotel.
Start the day with a visit to the Visva Bharati. See the Rabindra Bhawan Museum, Uttarayan Complex, Upasana Griha.
After spending few hours at Visva Bharati have your lunch at a specialty restaurant and enjoy your food.
Post lunch, visit the remaining places which include Srijani Shilpagram, Kankalitala Mandir, Kopai River Viewpoint, Prantik, Deer Park and Khoai Haat. More details on Santiniketan is available here.
In the morning, go out for a stroll in the clean air of Santiniketan. Post breakfast, start your return journey to Kolkata.
Transportation
For a comfortable journey, hire a car from Kolkata or Bolpur for the entire Santiniketan tour. This will be specially convenient if you are traveling in a group and have multiple luggage. Alternately, you can avail local buses and local trains which will significantly increase your travel time.
Travel Agents for Car Booking – Kolkata
Places To Visit
For more details on the places you will visit during the tour click on the links below. Check all the required information including –
– How to reach and Distance chart
– Weather and Best time to visit
– What to see
– What to do and eat
– FAQ
Tarapith
Famous Kali Temple
Santiniketan
Visva-Bharati University. Workplace of Rabindranath Tagore
Frequestly Asked Question
What are the best places to stay at Santiniketan?
Some of the more popular resorts in Santiniketan are –
– Mohor Kutir Resorts
– The Cristallo Resort
– Shantobitan Tourism Property
– Ram Shyam Village Resort
How many days are enough for Santiniketan?
Santiniketan is a perfect weekend destination from Kolkata. You need at least one full day to visit Visva Bharati and other notable spots. Ideally two full days will give you a chance to see the places in detail and spend some time there.
On which day Santiniketan is closed?
Visva Bharati University campus is open to visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM on all days of the week.
Rabindra Bhavan museum at Visva Bharati is open for visitor from 10 AM to 5 PM. On Wednesday and Thursday, the museum remains closed.
Is Santiniketan safe?
In general Santiniketan is a safe place for tourists. No major incident against the tourists have been reported during the recent years. But it is always recommended not to roam around unnecessarily during late night. Also, avoid any brawl with the locals.
When Visva-Bharati is open for visitor?
Visva Bharati University campus is open to visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM on all days of the week.
Top Destinations - West Bengal
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