Situated about 200 kilometers north of Calcutta, Shantiniketan is a Bengali center of cultural excellence. It was here, in 1901, that Rabindranath Tagore, a Noble Laureate in Literature, decided to build a school that would specialize in the arts and humanities; the famous Visva-Bharati University was thus born.
Over a century later, Shantiniketan remains true to the poet's vision and today the university welcomes students from all over the world. Life here is civilized, enjoyable and encourages creativity! I met a lot of artists, writers and musicians at Shantiniketan and each one described life there as enchanting - a magical place that you'll want to return to. Shantiniketan really stole my heart during my trip to India. !
Bengal is a land of artists and writers and Shantiniketan is a perfect example. Let the students and locals tell you about the region and its stories; take time out to bury your head in Tagore's writings. Shantiniketan's charm will win you over! Another plus...each year the town celebrates Holi, the festival of colors, in style. A place not to miss if you find yourself in Bengal.