Sangeet Bhavana of Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, started functioning as a part of Kala Bhavana in 1919 and as a separate institution in 1933. It was established by the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Sangeet Bhavana focuses on the realms of music and dance. Almost all forms and styles of Indian music and dance are dealt here under one roof. Sangeet Bhavana imparts training in Rabindra Sangeet, Hindustani classical vocal and instrumental music esraj, sitar, tabla, pakhvaj , Manipuri and Kathakali dance styles, dramas, and Tagore s own musical dance-dramas.

Santiniketan comprises many academic blocks, each dedicated to a separate branch of study. The China Bhavan, as per its name, focuses on studying of Chinese Culture, traditions and language. The place is regularly visited by Chinese Scholars as well. The building, not too large in size, is beautifully made with intricate patterns on the exterior.

It is an open-air market in Sonajhuri forest about 9 km away from Bolpur. A huge number of tourists visit here every weekend and to shop from this open haat. This is the most attractive destination in Birbhum among the tourists. The natural beauty of eroded soil of small river Kopai which turned into a unique geographical transformation named KHOAI is worth seeing.

Founded in 1919, Kala Bhavana is well-known as a distinguished centre for Visual Art practice and research in India. It is the fine arts faculty of the Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan, established by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. This institute gave shape to the culture specific modernism initiated by Rabindranath Tagore and carried forward the commitment and wisdom of Nandalal Bose, Benodebehari Mukhopadhyay, Ramkinkar Baij and their contemporaries. The institute has richly contributed to providing direction to individual art activity in contemporary social space. The studio practice, lectures, discussions and exhibitions to keep the art atmosphere of the faculty alive, where the students get ample opportunity to sharpen their individual sensibilities and future prospects.

This place was the meditation spot of Tagore s Father, Maharishi Debendranath Tagore. Maharishi Debendranath Tagore first started upasana on 7th of Poush . The same is being celebrated every year, followed by a 3 day fair Poush Mela . Graduates are honored with a branch of Saptaparni tree seen in Chhatimtala developing a bond for the students with the institute. The prayer hall, one of the prettiest places in Shantiniketan is in close vicinity.

Poush Mela is the most remarkable annual fair of Birbhum district and is celebrated with great enthuthiasm and splendor at the Shantiniketan Mela Grounds to mark the foundation day of Shantiniketan. It emanates the essence of the great Bengali culture and attracts visitors from all around the world. The fair takes place for a week and lights up the entire region vigorously with Baul musicians, Tribal dancers, and local village artists. Commencing on the 7th day of the month of Poush, the carnival like setting marks the beginning of the harvest season.

North of the ashram complex, is the enclave of Rabindranath s own houses, built over the last three decades of his life 1919-1941 . Konark, originally a mud house was the earliest dwelling that Rabindranath built for his own seclusion from activity as a place for his own work. It contained an east facing verandah with rows of pillars used as stage for plays and dance-dramas composed by the Poet. Natir Puja was first staged here. The Uttarayan Complex where the poet lived consists of several buildings such as Udayana, Konark, Shyamali, Punascha, and Udichi, which reflect the architectural genius of the poet s illustrious son the late Rathindranath Tagore.

The Prayer Hall is one of the most stunning buildings in all of Santiniketan. Made from Belgian Glass, the Hall is also called Kanch Mandir, which derives its name from the glass laden walls. Prayers are held every Wednesday and the hall is lined with candles every evening, accentuating its beauty.

Tagore s Ashram is located in the Uttrayan Complex. It is the place that Tagore s father built and called his home Shantiniketan, Abode of Peace. Later the entire region adopted this name. Tagore s Ashram also known as Kaviguru Rabindranath Tagore s abode has been converted into a museum dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore. The house displays Rabindra s life, his achievements, his literary works, his awards, and accolades, etc. The museum also holds numerous daily items used by him during his lifespan.

Bauls are group of mystic minstrels from Bengal. Baul culture emerged as a religiously liberal philosophy and lifestyle which conformed to the ideals of Sahajyan movement, a refined form of Vajrayan movement. It was also supplemented by the influence of Vaishnavism and Sufism. Tagore was immensely influenced by the Bauls and some of his works are endowed with the Baul philosophy. They can be often identified by their distinctive clothes and musical instruments, such as the ektara. Though Bauls comprise only a small fraction of the Bengali population, their influence on the culture of Bengal is considerable. In 2005, the Baul tradition was included in the list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Nippon Bhavana is the centre for fostering Indo-Japanese relations. It has a library comprising of collection of books in Japanese, English and other languages. The library is meant for scholars of Visva-Bharati and other Universities and Institutions, interested in Japan and Japanese culture. Nippon Bhavana, in collaboration with Japan Foundation, invites visiting scholars, artists and scientists from Japan, arranges seminars and symposia on Japanese culture and Indo-Japanese cultural relations, arranges Indo-Japanese cultural functions, sends academic and cultural tours to Japan and receives academic and cultural troupes from Japan, it also organizes Indo-Japanese festivals.

This wildlife sanctuary is located in Santiniketan. The Sanctuary is situated at an elevation of 56 meters 184 ft and spread across 200 hectares on the fringes of the University town of Bolpur. 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. The whole sanctuary is a protected area with watch towers and jungle paths for tourists to walk around and catch glimpses of deer and other wildlife.

Khoai Mela haat is organized in Sonajhuri, one of the cleanest forests of West Bengal. During winter season, the entire forest ground is covered with tiny golden sonajhuri flowers. Over hundreds of artisans come to the Haat to showcase their artefacts. The Haat starts by 11 in the morning continues till the sun sets. The uniqueness and competitive pricing of the artefacts makes this place a shopper s paradise . Apart from designer dress materials all modern and fashionable accessories are available in the fair at a very reasonable price.

The joyous festival of Dol or Holi is an integral part of the Bengali and Indian culture. Dol Utsav which is known as Basanta Utsav in Shantiniketan is celebrated in a different way making it a unique and special cultural festival of West Bengal. Owing to its own dignity and uniqueness, the festival lures visitors from all over the world. Participation by the students makes it much more delightful.

It is in close vicinity of the Visva-Bharati University. Amar Kutir showcases locally made handicrafts including leathers bags, clothes, wooden items etc. It was founded as a place of refuge for political prisoners. On being inspired by the Tagore s idea of self-sustainability in rural development, young freedom fighter Sushen Mukhopadhyay founded this organization. The main objective of this entity after independence was the re- organization re-juvenation of cottage rural industries and uplift the socio- economic condition of rural Bengal.

Visva-Bharati University, a public central university, and an institution of national importance is located in Shantiniketan. It was founded by the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The origins of the university date back to 1901 when Rabindranath established a co-educational school inside the premises of his father Debendranath s Brahmacharya Ashram. It later came to be known as Patha Bhavan. The school was expanded into a university and named Visva-Bharati University. Rabindranath Tagore believed in open air education, in a natural environment, rather than teaching within four walls of a room. He believed that the walls represent the conditioning of mind. Furthermore, averted by the western method of education, and modeled the school on the lines of ancient Gurukul system. Tagore envisioned a center of learning which would have the best of both the east and the west.

The museum built back in 1961, it houses some of Tagore s original manuscripts, letters, documents, paintings, certificates, and photographs. It also includes the Nobel Prize Medallion he received.