Just a short journey from Kolkata lies Shantiniketan—a place where art, education, and nature converge in quiet harmony. Founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, this unique township grew from an ashram school into Visva-Bharati University, embodying Tagore’s vision of holistic, nature-based learning. Shantiniketan became a cradle of Asian modernism through Kala Bhavana, its renowned art school, drawing pioneering artists like Nandalal Bose and Ramkinkar Baij. The area’s architecture and creative spirit reflect a deep commitment to cultural exchange and inclusive ideals. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shantiniketan is both a symbol of artistic legacy and a peaceful retreat. Visitors are drawn not only to its intellectual charm but also to the red-earth trails of the khoai and the whispering Sonajhuri forests that surround this culturally rich haven.
Tucked away in the red-earth expanse of Birbhum, not far from the slow, thoughtful pulse of Shantiniketan, Smell of the Earth is a quiet, lovingly built farmstead that invites you to pause. Created by a couple who left their lives in the United States to settle in Tagore’s Bengal, it is a space shaped by mud walls, wooden floors, and the rhythms of sustainable living. The single cottage—designed to accommodate up to four adults—sits beside a tranquil pond, with an enclosed deck perfect for watching the sky shift from slate grey to brilliant blue and back again. Inside, there’s a desk and WiFi for those who wish to work in stillness, though the world outside calls gently: walks through rice fields, coffee with a book on the deck, butterflies weaving through the chemical-free farm. Meals are simple, nourishing, and rooted in the land—seasonal vegetables, organic rice in quiet variety.
Call 097488 31271or email smelloftheearthkol@gmail.com for more info.
Address: Smell of the Earth Farm, Ruppur, near Santiniketan
Set in the leafy bylanes of Santiniketan, Mitali has been a family home since 1968 and now operates as a homestay. The property offers spacious, light-filled rooms and a quiet garden where a continental breakfast is served each morning. Guests can spend rainy days tucked away in the cosy coffee shop, browsing books from the attached bookstore. The on-site restaurant, Swadher Sondhane, is run by the hosts, Krishno and Sukanya, who prepare a mix of regional and international dishes—such as Brazilian chicken steak in white wine and coconut cream, or crab ghee roast with broccoli rice. Ingredients are often sourced from their own kitchen garden. Also on the premises is Design Asia, a boutique showcasing cotton textiles and handmade products focused on local craft traditions.
Call 070635 98067 or email krishno.dey@gmail.com for more info.
Address: Phuldanga, Bolpur, off Taltore Rd, Santiniketan, West Bengal 731235
The name derives from the local word for “red soil,” a nod to the distinctive earth of Birbhum District. Located in the heart of the village of Debanandapur, Moram offers a range of accommodation options including Matir Bari, a traditional ground-floor room built with raw mud, and Madhabilata, a deluxe room constructed with concrete. Visitors can experience local and indigenous cuisine, and traditional dance and classical music sessions in the evenings. For those looking to get creative, there’s a pottery studio and opportunities to try local crafts such as batik and kantha embroidery.
For bookings, call or WhatsApp 9830378944.
Address: Shiur, Laldaha, near Kopai Station, Bolpur, West Bengal 731204
Set amid greenery and stillness in Shantiniketan, the property features two mud villas, each with a pond. The landscaping—an artful arrangement of native trees and flowering plants—adds to the quiet appeal, inviting you to slow down and take it all in. Home-cooked Bengali meals are served with warmth, and the days unfold at an unhurried pace. Explore local crafts on-site—from kantha fabrics and batik prints to sarees, handmade jewellery, terracotta and ceramic pottery, and jute products fashioned into lamps, rugs, and bags.
To book, call +91 93335 14989 or email contact@themudhouse.in.
Address: Daily Bread Road, Ratanpally, Santiniketan, West Bengal 731235
The luxe Garden Bungalow is less a hotel and more a lived-in work of art—shaped by a sculptor, a painter, and a gardener. Set amidst a three-acre garden with lotus ponds, the Bungalow offers spacious, antique-furnished suites, peaceful verandahs and terraces, and personalised hospitality. The architecture blends traditional Bengali style with quiet colonial touches: louvred shutters, arched doorways, and red laterite paths. Each element, from vintage mirrors to carved trunks, feels carefully placed.
Address: Uttarpally Rd, Prantik, West Bengal 731235
The drive from Kolkata to Shantiniketan takes just under four hours—approximately 165 km—via the Badshahi Road, Delhi–Kolkata Highway, Durgapur Expressway, Grand Trunk Road, Sekampur–Sahapur Road, and NH114.
Several trains connect Kolkata (from Howrah and Sealdah stations) to Shantiniketan (Bolpur station). Popular options include the Santiniketan Express (12337/12338) and Kaviguru Express.
In August, Shantiniketan typically sees daytime temperatures around 32°C, with nights cooling slightly to about 26°C. The monsoon months from July to September bring regular rainfall, transforming the landscape into lush greenery and offering some respite from the heat. The weather during this time is generally warm, humid, and occasionally refreshed by passing showers.
