There are some heritage structures and buildings in Kolkata, and without visiting them exploring Kolkata would not be possible. So if you are a history buff who wants to devour deep into history then a visit to the Jorasanko Thakur Bari is a must for you. This is the grand residential mansion of Rabindranath Tagore where he had lived major days of his life. It is also one of the most beautiful heritage structures that you can find in the city of Kolkata as well. However a trip to the Jorasanko Thakurbari would be enriching, exciting and educational in a lot of ways as well.
If you are interested to know more about the Thakur Bari then you need to keep on reading this article. Here I will mention everything that you probably need to know about the Thakur Bari for a successful visit there.
Jorasanko Thakur Bari
Address: 259, Rabindra Sarani, Singhi Bagan, Jorasanko, Kolkata, West Bengal
Timings: Jorasanko Thakur Bari timings are from 10:30 am to 5 pm on all days from Tuesday to Sunday. Monday is closed.
Entry fee: The entry fee for Indian adults is Rs. 20, for SAARC adults the fee is Rs. 30, and for adult foreigners it is Rs. 150. Entry fee for Indian students is Rs. 10, SAARC students are Rs. 20 and foreign students are Rs. 100. For physically challenged visitors, students up to 5th standard and street children entry are free. However there is an additional fee for cameras which is Rs. 50.
For the Light and Sound Show entry fee is Rs. 50
How to reach
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach Jorasanko is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. From the airport the Thakur Bari is located at a distance of 14.6 km. It would take around 45 minutes to reach there from the airport. You can take a car or a cab or a yellow taxi to reach Thakur Bari most conveniently.
By train
If you are travelling in a train the nearest major railway station to reach is the Howrah Railway station. From the Howrah Station the distance to reach Jorasanko Thakur Bari is 2.8 km and you can easily reach there in about 25 minutes. Another major railway station is the Sealdah Railway Station. From the Sealdah station the distance of Jorasanko is 4.3 km and you can reach there in a little more than half an hour. You can take yellow taxis or take a cab to reach the location conveniently.
By road
You can get multiple city buses from various parts of the city to reach here. Also you can definitely take a car or take a cab to reach the Thakur Bari from different parts of the city.
By metro
If you are travelling by metro then the Jorasanko Thakur Bari nearest metro station is the Girish Park Metro Station. From there the Jorasanko Thakur Bari is located at a distance of only 900 metres. You can easily opt to walk that distance and you can reach the Thakur Bari in about 10 minutes from the metro station.
Overview of Jorasanko Thakurbari
The Jorasanko Thakur Bari or the House of Thakurs is a glorious mansion which is the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore. Rabindranath Tagore, the famous poet, lyricist and Nobel Laureate had spent his childhood and his later years in this very mansion. It is one of the most beautiful as well as important heritage buildings in the city of Kolkata. Also the founders of the Bengal School of Arts, Gaganendranath Tagore and Abanindranath Tagore also lived here at one point of time. At present however this mansion is converted into the Rabindra Bharati University. Furthermore the Rabindra Bharati University is one of the leading and reputed institutions for Indian Classical Art as well as education. Also the premise houses the Rabindra Bharati Museum as well that dates back to 1961.
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The residence of the Thakurs or the Thakur Bari as it is popular as is one of the most important centres in promoting, propagating and preserving the art and culture of Bengal. At one point of time it was also one of the nerve centres of the Bengal Renaissance Movement and the formation of the Brahmo Samaj. Currently this is a favourite spot for art and art lovers and artists all over the world. Both amongst the locals as well as the tourists, the Jorasanko Thakur Bari is an important location to visit in Kolkata.
This location attracts a huge number of crowds on regular days. But on special occasion like Pochishe Boishakh that is the 25th day of the month of Baisakh in Bengali calendar that is the birth date of Rabindranath Tagore, on Baishe Shravan that is 22nd day of the Shravan month which is the death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, and on Basanta Utsav the location attracts even more visitors. Grand Cultural Programme and Celebrations take place on these days.
History and Architecture
The history of the Thakur Bari dates back to 1784. Nilmoni Tagore received a piece of land and built a small house in Jorasanko. Later Prince Dwarkanath Tagore the grandfather of Rabindranath Tagore expanded this property in the 18th century. Located in North Kolkata the Thakur Bari is situated in the Chittaranjan Avenue near Girish Park. This land was a gift to Prince Dwarkanath Tagore by the famous Seth Family and the grand mansion was constructed. This is the same house where Rabindranath Tagore was born in 1861 and spent his childhood and major part of his life. He also breathed his last in the same house in 1941.
The Thakur Bari is huge and spreads across a huge area of 3500 sq meters. It is a mansion made of red bricks and has different wings which got added in the later times as the construction proceeded. There are rounded verandahs here which add a different charm to the construction. And also these verandahs are apt for watching the programs of the natya mancha as well which is located at the centre of the house.
The Tagore family was always very aggressive with their thinking. Even during the time of the Purdah system they ideally never followed it. The women in their family enjoyed equal position, respect and recognition like the male members. Also the women of the Tagore family were equally a part of all sorts of discussions regarding art, culture, literature, business etc. The lifestyle of the family was very important in adding up to the development of greater cultural changes later in time.
Rabindra Bharati Museum
The Government of West Bengal planned the establishment of the Rabindra Bharati University as a memorial of Rabindranath Tagore. However the plan could be executed only during the birth centenary of the poet on 8th May, 1961. Under the Rabindra Bharati Act the residential house of Tagore was turned into The Rabindra Bharati University. The Rabindra Bharati University was also established the next year. On 8th May 1962 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the museum. There is a complex, Maharishi Bhavan where the poet has breathed his last. Furthermore there are three galleries that reflect the photographs of Tagore and his intimate family members.
Overall the museum also has a huge collection of 2071 books, 770 journals, 3297 photographs, 16 paintings, 27 crafts and sculptures, pieces of furniture, 208 personalia. You will also find Tagore’s works and about his life in the first gallery here. The other two galleries exhibit the life and stories of different stalwarts of the Bengal Renaissance in the 19th century.
Furthermore there are other galleries where you will find portraits and other paintings of the Tagore house. Also some galleries display the life and activities of Rabindranath Tagore. There are specific galleries here also like the Japan Gallery, Hungary Gallery, US Gallery etc. Other than that however there are around 700 paintings here along with some manuscripts, antiques and books. A unique collection of 3000 photographs are also present here.
Rabindranath Tagore’s Room
This is the room where Tagore lived and also breathed his last and the authorities have preserved everything in this room. You will find original paintings of Tagore, his notebooks, scribbles, his wedding invite and a lot more here. Also Tagore’s car is here at the backyard of the mansion.
Japanese Art Gallery
This section has some famous artworks by Japanese artists. Also some of the exhibits here are personal picks by Tagore during his tours to Japan.
Special events in Jorasanko Thakur Bari
One of the most important events is the Pochishe Boishakh Celebration here which is the birth anniversary of Tagore. Many notable artists perform here and the students of the University also take part in the cultural program. The death anniversary or Baishe Shravan is also celebrated here with equal enthusiasm. Another event here is the Basanta Utsav that is the Holi Celebration which is like a grand affair here.
Jorasanko Thakurbari Light and Sound Show
This light show at Jorasanko Thakur Bari is one of the major attractions here. The show however depicts the life of Rabindranath Tagore and is available in both Bengali and English languages. It takes place in the evening on all days except Mondays and Thursdays
Timings:
From November to January the timing is 6 pm to 6:40 pm for the Bengali Show and from 7 pm to 7:40 pm for English Show. And from February to June the Bengali Show is from 7 pm to 7:40 pm and the English Show is from 8 pm to 8:40 pm.
Entry fee: The entry fee is Rs. 50 per person. For children below three years entry is free. Booking counter opens at 5:30 pm which is the Rabindra Sarani Gate.
Wrapping Up!
The Jorasanko Thakur Bari had always been a centre of attraction since the times of its inception. Even today the Thakur Bari could stay in the limelight with Jorasanko Thakur Bari Durga Puja. Along with that of course there are major events like the birth anniversary of Tagore which is a grand occasion here. So in case you want to enjoy the full essence of the Jorasanko Thakur Bari plan a visit to this location as soon as you can. Moreover a visit there would be culturally rich for you as well. So let men know when you are planning a trip to the Jorasanko Thakur Bari Kolkata.
