How to reach
Location (General):
State : West Bengal
Distt. : Birbhum.
Town : Bolpur (Santiniketan)
P.O. : Santiniketan
Which is the University Town of Visvabharati set up by Rabindranath Tagore.
Location (Specific):
Area: Ballavpur Village, P.O. Santiniketan. About 3.5 km. from ‘Uttarayan‘. Available on GPS
Prominent landmarks nearby :
- The road, left from the Shyambati crossing, alongside the Mayurakshi canel leads to Prakriti Bhavan.
A little beyond is Amar kutir the famous outlet for rural handicrafts. - Opp. to Prakriti Bhavan is the Deer Sanctuary and two large marshy water bodies home to migratory birds in winter.
- Adjacent to Prakriti Bhavan is the Sonajuri forest dotted with seven rock nature sculptures of birds. The Sonibarer Haat is held here every Saturday.
- At the back of Prakriti Bhavan is the Ballavpur Santhal village. A traditional home of Santhals.
A very natural pictorial setting that is a veritable Eco-Tourism zone in Santiniketan.
Transportation:
Rail: Very convenient rail links from Howrah (Kolkata) that takes about 3 hrs. journey time fastest being Santiniketan Express 10:10 A.M. (Howrah) to 12-20 p.m. (Bolpur)
1:10 P.M. (Bolpur) to 3:40 P.M. (Howrah)
Road: By car/hired taxi etc. The highway is in good shape.
Local transportation is by Toto, rickshaw, auto-rickshaw, and hired cars.
Stay: There are more than 50 lodges & hotels in Bolpur and Santiniketan of different ranges where tourists can stay.
- The red gravel canal par road leading to Prakriti Bhavan has converted into a metal road. The Ranga Matir path may have vanished but the place has become more accessible.
- Transportation has improved with the induction of the ‘Toto’ – battery operated six-seater vehicle.
- Prakriti Bhavan Museum may be noted from the canal par road itself with the Arch Gateway made in the style of the Uttarayan Mandir.
- Free parking space in front of the museum has been expanded and the two entry and exit roads to the parking has been improved.
- Tea stall in the adjacent land has come up & is being mentored by Prakiti Bhavan like a Museum Canteen. Tea, Coffee & Snacks can be had in a picturesque setting, Meals can be ordered too.