If you want to get the feel of the well-known *Baul music of
Bengal, you must visit Poush *Mela at Santiniketan, in Birbhum District, also
known as Gurukul Festival. Officially the festival lasts for 3-days commencing
on the 7th day of the month January. You may catch the fairs and the
vendors throughout the month. The key characteristic of the festival is Bengali
Baul music notable as Bengali lok *sangeet, folk songs, sufi culture and tribal
sports. If you are passionate on Baul songs, you may be lucky to observe the dance
of Bauls, popular tune like Dekhechhi Rup Sagore; Milon Hobe Katodine; Khanchar Vitor Achin, and etc. You will get to see different
activities throughout these three days. Poush mela has a major cross cultural
significance in that it provides a common platform for urban and rural folk artists
to meet and exchange ideas.
The fair also gives you a chance
to do bagsful of shopping of wares such as batik printed materials, the famous
Shantiniketan leather bags, earthen wares, paintings, home decors, local
printed fabrics and handicrafts. Most of these items feature Tagore’s exclusive
arts. Near about 1500 stalls takes part in the fair.
How to reach
If you are planning to travel by
train, follow the chart given below.
Moreover, you
can take bus from Dharmatala, Kolkata or book tickets online. The route directions
covered by private vehicles are given below. Distance from Kolkata to
Shantiniketan by road is 162 km which will
take about 2 hours 48 mins.’
Where to
stay
There are around 85 government sponsored lodges, with a capacity of 1,650
accommodations, in Santinikatan. Private chalets are also available.
Background: Devendranath Tagore with his twenty followers established
the Brahmo creed from Ram Chandra Vidyabagish on 21st Dec, 1843 (7 *Poush 1250)
at Santiniketan. The celebrated day was named as Poush Utsav. And a Brahma
mandir was established at Shantiniketan on 21st Dec, 1891 (7 *Poush
1298). A small fair was organized in 1894 for the establishment anniversary of
the Brahma Mandir, held in the ground opposite the temple. There started a
small fair named as Poush Mela now grab the attention of tourists all around.
In earlier
days the fair was held in the ground on the north side of Brahma Mandir, the
glass temple. As the fair increased in size, it was shifted to Purbapalli the
nearby field of Brahma Mandir.
*Poush is the month of Bengali calendar.
*Mela means fair.
*Sangeet is the Bengali word of Song
*Baul is a form of Bengali folk songs. The performers
sing and dance with an instrument ‘aktara’, wearing saffron dresses.
Basanta Utsav
Time : March
The programs are followed
continuously, and all the members of the university, students, and visitors
smear coloured powders with each other and express festive wishes.
Biological
Significance of Holi
It is
exciting to know that holi plays a major role for mind and body. Holi comes
during the season when people have the tendency of sleeping and feeling lazy.
This is quite natural for body to experience some slowness in the time of
winter. Furthermore, biologists believe that the liquid and dust dye of holi penetrate
the pores. It effects to produce strength ions in body and add beauty to it.
Furthermore, the colors kills the bacteria of the skin while cleansing and
bathing after playing holi. So, to rejuvenate the system of human body Holi is
celebrated.
Where to stay
Where to stay
There are around 85 government sponsored lodges, with a capacity of 1,650
accommodations, in Santiniketan. Private chalets are also available.
