Santiniketan has the distinct identity of culture and heritage, which gives the place a unique soft touch. Santiniketan was previously called Bhubandanga (named after Bhuban Dakat, a local dacoit). Tagore family came to be owned this place. Rabindranath Tagore’s father Maharshi Debendranath Tagore attracted by the beauty of this place and established Santiniketan in 1863. In 1901, At one stage he realized that plain Hinduism is not enough for the society, as he was highly educated in Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian and many Western languages, he felt that Vedic teaching was supreme. He started worshiping of “Nirakar Brahma” or the God without any face, as the people of the Vedic era did.
This was some three thousand years ago, Maharshi Devendra Nath founded The Brahmo Samaj or the followers of God without any face. This sect will have no Religion, no worshiping of Idol, preach non-violence, no sacrifice of animals, birds in the temple premises, no caste system, everybody will follow the lifestyle as said in the Vedas. Joined him the highly educated Bengalis. Maharshi first built a place and used to prayer under Chhatim tree known as Chhatimtala. His able son Gurudev Ravindra Nath Tagore also joined him soon. He set up Santiniketan in the year 1901.
In 1901, Rabindranath Tagore set up a Bramhacharya school here, which later came to be known as the Patha Bhavan, the school of his ideas, whose central premise was that learning in a natural environment would be more enjoyable and fruitful.After he received the Nobel Prize (1913), the school was expanded into a university. Many world famous teachers have become associated with it. Indira Gandhi, Satyajit Ray, and Amartya Sen are among its more illustrious students.
Kala Bhavana, the art college of Santiniketan, is considered one of the best art colleges in the world. Other institutions here include Vidya Bhavana; the Institute of Humanities, Shiksha Bhavana; the Institute of Science, Sangit Bhavana; Institute of Dance, Drama and Music, Vinaya Bhavana, Institute of Education, Rabindra Bhavana, Institute of Tagore Studies and Research, Palli-Samgathana Vibhaga; Institute of Rural Reconstruction, and Palli Shiksha Bhavana; Institute of Agricultural Sciences. There are also other centres, affiliated to major institutions such as Nippon Bhavana, the Indira Gandhi Centre for National Integration, Rural Extension Centre, Silpa Sadana; Centre for Rural Craft, Technology and Design, Palli-Charcha Kendra,Centre for Social Studies and Rural Development, Centre for Biotechnology, Centre for Mathematics Education, Centre for Environmental Studies, Computer Centre and Indira Gandhi Centre for National Integration. As well as Patha-Bhavana, there are two schools for kindergarten level education, Mrinalini Ananda Pathsala, Santosh Pathsala, a school for primary and secondary education known as Shiksha Satra, and a school of higher secondary education known as Uttar-Shiksha Sadana.
Another worth visiting place around Santiniketan is remnants of “Khoai”- a name coined by the Poet himself for a special kind of undulating laterite land formation. The stream of rainwater meandering through it offers a magnificent view during monsoon.
Santiniketan, located in Bolpur, Birbhum district of West Bengal, is home to a unique collection of historical houses tied to the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore. These houses, spread across the Visva-Bharati University campus and nearby areas, are more than just buildings—they reflect Tagore’s vision of simplicity, education, and harmony with nature. Recognised as part of Santiniketan’s UNESCO World Heritage Site status (granted in September 2023), these structures offer a peek into the life of India’s first Nobel Laureate and the early days of his ashram. From mud huts to family homes, explore the historical houses that make Bolpur Santiniketan a heritage treasure.
The journey of Santiniketan’s historical houses began in 1863 when Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, Rabindranath’s father, set up an ashram on land then called Bhubandanga. Under two chhatim trees, he built a guest house that became the seed of Santiniketan, meaning “abode of peace.” In 1901, Rabindranath Tagore started a school here, which grew into Visva-Bharati University by 1921. Over time, he and his associates built several houses, each with a purpose—some for living, others for teaching or writing. These houses mix Indian, Japanese, and Persian styles, using local materials like mud and bamboo, showing Tagore’s love for nature and creativity.
These historical houses played a big role in Santiniketan’s story. They welcomed leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, housed students and teachers, and inspired Tagore’s works. Today, they stand as a key part of Santiniketan’s heritage, drawing visitors to Bolpur who want to feel the history of this peaceful town.
Here’s a list of Santiniketan’s historical houses, each with a short story:
The historical houses of Santiniketan stand out for their simplicity and purpose. Tagore designed many with mud and bamboo, keeping them close to nature. They mix styles from India, Japan, and Persia, showing his global vision. Some, like Udayan, were lively hubs, while others, like Punascha, offered quiet corners for writing. They hosted famous guests, nurtured students, and inspired works like Gitanjali. As part of Santiniketan’s UNESCO heritage, they preserve a legacy of creativity and community that’s rare today.
Surrounded by Santiniketan’s red soil and greenery, these houses feel alive with history. They’re not just old structures—they tell the story of Tagore’s dream for a better way of living and learning in Bolpur Santiniketan.
To see these historical houses, visit the Visva-Bharati campus in Santiniketan, just 3 km from Bolpur railway station. Take the Shantiniketan Express from Kolkata (152 km, 3-4 hours) or drive via NH 19 from Kolkata or Durgapur. The best time is October to March, when the weather is cool, and events like Poush Mela bring the place to life. Most houses are in the Uttarayan complex, accessible with a small fee at Rabindra Bhavan museum. Local rickshaws or walking tours work best—wear comfy shoes and enjoy the calm heritage vibes of Bolpur Santiniketan.
The historical houses of Santiniketan are a bridge to Rabindranath Tagore’s world. They invite you to explore a heritage that’s simple, meaningful, and timeless.
Note: This is not the official page of Santiniketan or Visva-Bharati. The information provided here may not be entirely accurate or up-to-date. If we receive further information, we will definitely update this page accordingly.