Bolpur is a beautiful place in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. It has been a famous tourist place for a long time. Bolpur is notable mainly for its beautiful neighborhood Santiniketan which houses the renowned Vishwa Bharati University. The ardent greens of this town attract a large number of visitors every year.
Besides Santiniketan, there are many other beautiful spots in this region. You can get the essence of traditional rural Bengal and enjoy the gentle breezes along the beautiful riversides. With the help of locals or tour guides, you can find the best restaurants in Santiniketan, where you can enjoy traditional Bengali food.
Let us look at some of the best places to visit in Bolpur.
Places to Visit in Bolpur, Santiniketan
Viswa Bharati University
This world-renowned university is one of the most notable places in this locality and probably the most famous place to visit in Santiniketan. Rabindranath Tagore established this institution in 1921. After the independence of India, it was given the status of a central university in 1951.
Not only for its top-notch infrastructure, must you also visit this place for its natural beauty. The cultural festivals that take place from time to time are scenes to behold. No need to worry about your stay as you can easily find the best hotels in Santiniketan near the university.
The best seasons to visit the VBU are winter and spring. If you visit the VBU in the month of January, you will get to see the famous Poush Utsav. You can also visit the VBU during Holi or the Vasant Utsav.
Kankalitala
Kankalitala is a beautiful town located nearly eight kilometers North of Bolpur. This small town is famous for a very sacred temple, namely, Maa Kankalitala Mandir. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths in India. Apart from that, you will also get to witness the beauty of rural and semi-rural Bengal.
Many tourists prefer visiting this place by riding bicycles. If you are planning to visit this place with friends, you should definitely rent cycles. It will allow you to navigate the narrow streets with ease.
You can visit Kankalitala any time of the year. The temple remains open for visitors from morning to evening.
Amar Kutir
Amar Kutir is located in Ballavpur, around seven kilometers from Bolpur. In Bengali, Amar means eternal, and Kutir means house. Hence, the name of this famous place translates to “The Eternal House.”
Amar Kutir is famous for promoting local art and craft. It showcases the articles and artifacts made by local craftspeople. Amar Kutir also has historical significance. During the independence movement of India, Amar Kutir housed many prominent activists.
You can visit this place any time of the year. There is no entry fee. Give this place a visit as you will love the bamboo crafts and Kantha stitched Sarees.
Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Amidst all these places with rich cultural heritage and temples, you must not have thought that there is a scope for seeing wildlife. But, to your surprise, here it is! The Ballavpur Wildlife sanctuary was established in 1977. It is also famous as Deer Park.
You can see blackbucks and spotted deer in this sanctuary. There are some water bodies inside the sanctuary. You can sit on the side of these water bodies and enjoy the cool breezes.
Deer Park is open for visitors from 10 AM to 4 PM. For the best experience, you can visit the place in winter. You can also plan picnics with your friends as many best hotels in Santiniketan are available in the area.
Apart from these, you can also visit the Melas that take place at different times of the year. Bolpur and Santiniketan are beautiful places to visit with friends or family. You can also plan a solo trip to this amazing locality. Enjoy the beauty of rural and semi-rural Bengal on your next visit!