It's spring time, and Basanta Utsav is just round the corner in Santiniketan. During this time of the year, hundreds of city dwellers crowd into the Land of Tagore, to enjoy the whiff of a different Holi. In Santiniketan, Holi or Dol is celebrated as the 'Basanta Utsav' by the Viswa Bharati University- the place where nature and tradition meet in a cultural potpourri of song and dance.
Most of us are not aware of the fact that the Basanta Utsav is not the only attraction in Santiniketan during spring. With the Viswa Bharati University announcing it's decision to celebrate Basanta Utsav without the usual zeal this year, let's take a look at the other places one can go to during this time of the year in Bolpur.
With a little of everything, Bolpur is the perfect place to witness the onset of spring- with lalmati and Palash, the Baul singers and tribal dances.
Spring, like a breath of fresh air, arrives in Bolpur during late February bringing with it the luxuriant colours of the season; with courtyards and streets lined with bougainvillea and flame of the forest trees.
Locating the picturesque Laal Bandh Road, shaded by bougainvillea trees is easy if you are using local transport, or you can always ask for directions from the locals. The place is at a walking distance from the Khoai Haat.
On a landscape of red laterite soil, is the Sonajhuri Forest, which hosts a local market, locally known as the 'Sanibarer Haat' or the 'Khoai Haat'. Particularly lively during Basanta Utsav, the place is thronged by the mystic minstrels, or the 'Bauls', Santhal dancers and artisans.
The Palash Forests
The most abundant and visible of of all flowering trees is the 'palash', with its orange and red hues. While the forests do not occur at a stretch, one can encounter plenty of woodlots in Santiniketan with the flame of the forest in full bloom. The spectacular “flame of the forest” efflorescence, beginning early March, paints the entire town with a riot of colours.
If you are planning to visit the Shonajhuri haat, you will surely encounter at least a couple of enthusiastic children selling garlands of Palash flowers. The flame of the forest that paints the town during this season is as much a part of culture and Literature as the famous 'Kopai Nodi' of Bolpur.
Most people visiting Bolpur do not venture beyond Santiniketan.
Barely 25 minutes from Santiniketan through a beautiful forest route, is the Illambazar Forest of Birbhum, located on the northern bank of the Ajay River. A straight route from Sriniketan takes you to the Illambazar Forest, which is also the location of the Amkhoi Wood Fossil Park, the only one of its kind in West Bengal.
Places to stay in Santiniketan
With the Basanta Utsav craze in Santiniketan during this time of the year, the hotels usually remain packed. The best option to visit Santiniketan, especially if you are travelling from Kolkata, would be a day trip. Most of the places in Santiniketan can be toured in a single day.
However, if you are looking for overnight accommodations in Bolpur, the Poushali hotel or the Ram Shyam Village Resort would be the best options, considering their proximity to both the Viswa Bharati Campus as well as the Sonajhuri Haat.
How to reach Bolpur
The easiest way to reach Bolpur from Kolkata is by train. The Bolpur Station is located 2-3 km away from Santiniketan and is well connected with both the Howrah and the Sealdah stations in Kolkata.
Santiniketan is located 163 kilometres from Kolkata and it will take around 3 hours 25 minutes to reach Santiniketan by car.
With the covid rates on the rise again, Basanta Utsav celebrations in Santiniketan might not be accompanied with the usual fervour and zeal. However, if you still wish to experience spring at it's best in Bengal, head over to Bolpur. Hunt for those little alleys, the leafy avenues, pleasant bursts of pink, and tea joints.