Bengal Heritage Walk programme cum Training 2025 (By West Bengal State)

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM:

* About Program:

The culture of West Bengal is considered to be one of the richest cultures in India. Apart from boasting of its immense contribution in freedom and reformation movements, the state also takes the credit for being the pioneer of cosmopolitan culture in the country. Over the years, the culture of West Bengal has emerged as the perfect blend of modernity and traditions. Bengali culture also has its root in Bengali music, Bengali cinema and Bengali literature. Bengal has been home to great social reformers. The great saint Ram Krishna Param Hans and Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore also had their roots in Bengal's soil. Today, Bengal reflects a mixture of traditional values and modern traditions. In this unique programme we visit and explore the main activity centre of Rabindranath Tagore at world famous Shantiniketan and also visit the Bengal’s first heritage city Bishnupur famous for its medieval terracotta temples and glorious past, we will visit Kamarpukur the Birth Place of Ramkrishna Paramhansha(Spiritual Guru of Sami Vivekaknanda) and Joyrambati the Birthplace of Holy Mother Sarada Devi. We also witness the Baul activity at Kanduli villege at bank of river Ajay the birthplace of the poet Jayadeva, who had composed Gita Govinda in Sanskrit.

DAY WISE SCHEDULE:

# 1st Day :-  Reporting at State Youth Centre, Youth Hostel Moulali, 142/3,A.J.C Bose Road, Moulali,Kolkata-700014 after 3.00 P.M (Base Camp). Self introduction and orientation at evening.

# 2nd Day :- Swaraj Day : After breakfast Team visits the important, remarkable places of Indian Independence revolutionary movement Fort William: The Rise and Fall of an Imperial Empire 

Discovery to Independence

Fort William, standing on the eastern bank of the river Hoogly in Kolkata, West Bengal, bears within its womb the story of the evolution of the city itself. This fort has witnessed defining moments of history, which were significant not only for Bengal but also for the Indian subcontinent as a whole. The fort complex too has evolved in tandem with larger political developments. This colonial edifice now acts as the headquarters of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army. As a strategic military zone, the fort is off-limits to civilians. However, the fascinating history surrounding the fort arouses considerable curiosity among the general public.

As a historic edifice that has stood witness to the rise and fall of an imperialistic empire, as well as the growth of a free nation, Fort William enunciates the fact that history is always in the making.

The Indian Army’s Eastern Command has opened Fort William in Kolkata and we organizing the “Special heritage walks” inside for the first time.

From the Black Hole of Calcutta to the Bose (Netaji) cell, Fort William has its own stories to tell and, through this heritage walk, the army aims at raising awareness on what lies beyond this strictly guarded and highly secure British-era military hold.

Jorasanko Thakurbari (The ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore):

Jorasanko Thakur Bari or the ancestral house of the Tagores. The most eminent among them was Rabindranath Tagore, a poet, artist, and the first Asian to be honoured with a Nobel Prize.

The glorious mansion is one of the most beautiful heritage buildings of Kolkata, the birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore and also the place where he spent his childhood and later years. The Thakur Bari was also the residence of Gaganendranath and Abanindranath Tagore, the founders of Bengal School of Art.

Netaji Bhawan Kolkata :

The winds of the city bring to you not only tunes of Rabindra Sangeet but also stories that talk about the role this city played in the Indian freedom movement. When we talk about India's struggle for freedom and Kolkata, the very thing that comes to mind is the contribution of Subhash Chandra Bose who was popularly and lovingly bestowed upon the title of Netaji by the people of the country. The city remembers and pays homage to Netaji through Netaji Bhawan in Kolkata which is a museum dedicated to him.

Netaji Bhawan in Kolkata was once the ancestral residence of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

The house located on the Elgin Road of Kolkata was built in the year 1909 by Janakinath Bose, Netaji’s father. In the year 1961, the building was converted into a museum dedicated to the life and work of Netaji and it was done under the administration of the Netaji Research Bureau. The museum serves as the center for the bureau. In 1941 Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had made his ‘great escape’ from this ancestral house in Kolkata despite being under constant surveillance by the British

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S ANCESTRAL HOUSE AND CULTURAL CENTRE:

Kolkata is the hub of remarkable cultural, literature and spiritual revolutions the world has seen. We have had stalwarts such as Rabindranath Tagore to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar to Swami Vivekananda. They took the world by a storm and changed philosophies of life at home, in India, and around the world at the same time. Now, there are millions of devotees, who have dedicated their lives to them.

A visit to Kolkata makes it mandatory to drop in at places like Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral House. The best way to learn and know the city is to stroll into the houses of these geniuses and live through their lives in whatever is remaining in there. Swami Vivekananda’s house has been transformed into a museum and cultural centre, depicting the life of the maestro.

Alipore Jail Museum: Where history is kept in a freeze frame:

The Alipore museum highlights its rich history because of its strong links to the long Indian Independence struggle against the British. There are cells named after freedom fighters like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and others who inhabited them. It tells the stories of revolutionaries and particularly focuses on the role of the Bengal presidency in the Indian Independence movement. It is indeed worth seeing the revolutionary jail museum in India. A light & Sound show thrills the moments.

 # 3rd Day  :-Move to Shantiniketan: Santiniketan is a pioneering experiment in internationalism. At a time when India was grappling with the problems of colonialism and seeking its freedom from British authority, Tagore's vision surpassed national and cultural boundaries to establish a larger international vision, that of universal humanism. Shantiniketan was a dream of Maharshi Devendranath Tagore that was later on nurtured and practically constructed by his worthy son Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the world-famous poet, author, dramatist and artist of 20th century Bengal. The very word “Shantiniketan” means the “the abode of peace” After lunch visit the nearby famous places of Shantiniketan.

.# 4th Day - Heritage walk to visit Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s working place ‘Biswabharti Ubniversity, Upasana Griha, kala Bhavan, Uttarayan Complex Etc many more attractions.  Visit to Khoai to witness the tribal dance and rural hat.

# 5th Day  - Move to Bengal’s First Heritage city Bishnupur: Bishnupur was the capital of the Hindu Mallabhum kingdom, which was founded in the 8th century  and was once the most important Hindu dynasty in Bengal. It is famous for its terracotta temples and for manufacturing of the famous Baluchari sarees.

On route visit:

Kamarpukur: Kamarpukur is popularly associated as the birthplace of Ramakrishna after whom several educational bodies are named today. He was also  mentor to the famous Swami Vivekananda.

Joyrambati: Joyrambati is famous as it was the birthplace of Sree Sarada Devi who is worshipped as the Holy Mother by the followers of Sri Ramakrishna AND Swami Vivekananda.

Overnight Stay at Bishnupur Yuba Abas.(Youth Hostel).

# 6th Day  - At morning Heritage walk at Bishnupur to visit world famous Terrakota Temples, Rash mancha, Jorbangla Mandir etc many more attractions. At afternoon visit the world famous neaving industry of Baluchari Sarees

At evening cultural programme. Overnight Stay at Bishnupur Yuba Abas.(Youth Hostel).

# 7th Day- Team Check out after breakfast (Intercity express trains available towards Howrah/Kolkata 4hrs journey)

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Only YHAI Member can be participated.

HOW TO REACH THE BASE CAMP: Nearest Railway Station Howrah / Sealdha / Kolkata / Santragachi / Salimar and Nearest Airport Dumdum. By Bus or Taxi to State Youth Centre, Youth Hostel Moulali, 142/3,A.J.C Bose Road, Moulali,Kolkata-700014

 HOW TO JOIN: Online booking is available through Schedule & Seats of the program. (www.yhaindia.org )

N.B: Without Admit Card, valid Membership Card / receipt and Medical Fitness Certificate your registration cannot be claimed as confirmed.

NAME OF THE PROGRAM CORRDINATOR / FD:  Mr.Koushik Mitra Thakur

CONTACT NUMBER : 9432582949

EMAIL ADDRESS: wbstateyhai@gmail.com

COMPLETE POSTAL ADDRESS: Standard Chartered Building, 3^rd Floor, 12 N.S Road, Fairley Place, BBD Bag, Kolkata - 700001