The ancient traditional ‘Shantiniketan Griha’ was opened for tourists in Baishe Shravan. After which this vast area was named. According to the documents of Raipur’s zamindar Pratap Narayan Singh, this house existed even before Maharshi Debendranath Tagore established the Shantiniketan Ashram. Information says that before the establishment of the house of worship, Brahma worship was done in this Shantiniketan house. Poet Rabindranath Tagore lived in this house with his family since 1895. This time it is being opened for tourists.
Rabindrasmarana was held in Santiniketan on this gloomy Shravan day. The function was attended by Vice Chancellor of Visva-Bharati University Prabir Kumar Ghosh, Programme Officer Vikas Mukherjee, Public Relations Officer Atiga Ghosh, and officers and students from various departments. Alumni and senior ashram members participated in the function. The ceremony began with a Baitalik in the Gaurprangana. This was followed by a special worship in the worship hall, offering of flowers at the poet’s seat in Udayan Bharit, tree plantation and a memorial ceremony to commemorate Rabindra. After the function, Visva-Bharati Vice Chancellor Prabir Kumar Ghosh announced that this traditional ‘Shantiniketan Griha’ has been opened for tourists today.
As a result, tourists will now be able to visit this house including the ashram area. However, tourists will be allowed to enter after following several rules and regulations. This house was opened for tourists once two decades ago. Later, keeping security in mind, the Visva-Bharati authorities had to decide to close the entry. From now on, tourists will be able to visit the traditional Santiniketan house by purchasing a ticket to visit the Rabindranath Tagore Museum.
Visva-Bharati Vice-Chancellor Prabir Kumar Ghosh said, “Santiniketan house has been opened so that everyone can get acquainted with the thoughts and ideals of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. In the future, the opportunity to visit the 5 houses of Gurudev will be given after renovation. However, it has not been clearly stated when that will be.