Poush Mela in Santiniketan Bolpur 2025 | Dates, Location
Experience the vibrant Poush Mela at Santiniketan, where culture and tradition come alive in the heart of Bolpur. The 2025 Poush Mela promises an enchanting blend of music, dance, and crafts, drawing visitors from far and wide. Celebrated for its rich heritage, the Shantiniketan Poush Mela unites artists and artisans in a joyous celebration.
This year, the event offers unique experiences, from local delicacies to handcrafted treasures. Mark your calendars for Poush Mela and dive into an unforgettable cultural journey in Santiniketan.
Note: Rabindranath Tagore’s home, Santiniketan, gets the UNESCO World Heritage tag.
পৌষ তোদের ডাক দিয়েছে,
আয়রে চলে আয় আয় আয় ।।

Poush Mela in Santiniketan Bolpur
Poush Mela Fare in Santiniketan, Bolpur 2025 Dates and Place
The upcoming Poush Mela in Santiniketan, scheduled from 23rd December 2025 (7th Poush) to 28th December 2025, is an extraordinary celebration of Bengali culture. The fair will extend over six days, offering visitors an even richer experience.
Biswa Bharati hosts the traditional Poush Mela in Purbapally Ground, Bolpur, Shantiniketan. Bolpur is the nearest railway station.
Poush Mela in Santiniketan Bolpur
The fair began in Santiniketan to celebrate the relationship with a few Brahmo Samaj followers and the Tagore family. Today, it is one of the international events marked by Bengalis.
This year, the event will last six days and nights and include cultural programs. You can enjoy the carnival with Baul artists, tribal dancers, local village artists, and millions of visitors from worldwide.
Every year, on the 7th day of the Bengali month of Poush, Biswa Bharati authorities organise ‘Poush Mela’ in the Shantiniketan Mela ground.
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History of Shantiniketan and Poush Mela
Santiniketan was earlier called Bhubandanga. Debendranath Tagore buys the land from Raipur Zamindar to build Shantiniketan.
On December 21, 1843 (7 Poush of 1250 according to the Bengali calendar), Debendranath Tagore, with his twenty followers, accepted the “Brahma” religion from Ram Chandra Vidyabagish. It was the foundation day of Poush Mela in Santiniketan.
Brahma Mandir, or glass temple, was established in Santiniketan on December 21, 1812 (7th Poush of 1298, according to the Bengali calendar). In 1894, a small fair was organised before the temple on the anniversary of establishing the Brahma temple on the ground. Now, this fair attracts the attention of nearby tourists rather than the people of the Birbhum district.
Poush Mela was held beside the Brahma temple (the Glass Temple). On that day, a fireworks display in the evening after evening prayers. Because of the heavy gathering, the fair shifted to the field in Purba Palli.
Poush Utsav started on the 7th Poush- পৌষ. The first prayer begins in the Brahma Mandir in the morning, and then a prayer meeting is held in ‘Chattimtala.’ After, the entire congregation came to sing in Uttarayan.
Posh Mela is characterised by live performances of Bengali folk music, especially Baul music. It also includes folk songs, dance, and tribal events. Students of Shantiniketan present their excellent performances, making this festival more enjoyable and fascinating.
This festival is filled with various activities every day. The last day is dedicated to people related to Santiniketan.
Detailed statistics about Poush Mela
About 1,500 stalls participated in the fair. Many tourists (around 10,000) come to Shantiniketan for the six-day fair. According to Government statistics, 3,500 tourists visit Shantiniketan daily at this time.
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Poush Mela Tourist Attractions
The fair is famous for combining different cultures and traditions perfectly. Here, visitors enjoy the rich heritage of Bengali culture with a high level of impressive and mind-blowing cultural performances.
All the students of the Visva-Bharati University, Kala Bhavan, etc., are celebrating this festival. Tribal Dance is a part of the cultural performance. The folk people dressed up in their traditional costumes and presented their tribal art performances.
You can join the handicrafts exhibition not only in Bengal but also in other parts of India. There are beautiful handloom stalls, and you can see and buy batik prints of different types of garments, Kantha stitches garments, metal jewellery, Dokra items, clay showpieces, several leather items, Bengal’s famous ‘Tanth saree’ and many more.
Food is an integral part of Bengali culture, and it is the pure behaviour of Bengal. Here, you must try a different kind of “Pithe–Puli (পিঠে-পুলি)” like Pati Sapta, Dudh Puli, Bhaja Pithe, Malpowa, Gur Pithe, and many more. There you can find many kinds of sweets, spicy and salty snacks.
These Festive days are filled with exciting activities. You can enjoy cultural activities that are the genuine spirit of Bengali souls. The festival’s rural touch makes it one of the season’s most popular events.
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Places to visit in Santiniketan Bolpur
You can visit several places in Bolpur, West Bengal, like
- Gitanjali Railway Museum
- Kankalitala Temple
- Srijani Shilpagram
- Prakriti Bhavan
- Amar Kutir
- Kopai river
- Ballavpur wildlife sanctuary
- Bisva Bharati University
- Visva Bharati Kala Bhavan
- Visavharati Museum
- Khoai boner Haat or Sonajhuri hat
- Biswa Bangla Haat
- Kalikapur Rajbari
- Ghurisha temple
- Wood Fossil Park
- Raipur Rajbari Bolpur
- Surul Rajbari
- Sriniketan
How to go to Shantiniketan from Kolkata by train
Several trains from Sealdah and Howrah reach Bolpur station every day. Local trains are also available. It is approximately 3 hours from Kolkata. The ‘Bardhaman to Sealdah’ and ‘Bardhaman to Bolpur’ frequent local trains are available.
Kolkata to Bolpur bus by road
The distance between Bolpur and Kolkata is 163 km. A Kolkata-Bolpur bus service is available from Esplanade to the Bolpur bus stand.
- The first option is to take a bus to Durgapur and reach the Darjeeling crossing. From there, you will take the bus to Bolpur Shantiniketan.
- The second option is to take the bus to Suri, descend to Ilambazar, and reach Bolpur by Toto or Bus.
- The third option is suitable for a return to Kolkata. You can come to Bardhaman station by rail, reach the Bardhaman bus stand (5 km from the station), and get the bus for Esplanade. It’s a 2-hour 15-minute journey.
Joydev Kenduli Mela Birbhum
After the Poush Mela, the Jaydev Kenduli Mela starts in Kenduli village. The biggest Baul Mela in West Bengal began on Makar Sankranti day. You can reach Jaydev Kenduli by bus from Durgapur or Bolpur. See the video for the guide.
Where is the Poush Mela celebrated?
The famous Poush Mela is celebrated at the Purba Palli Ground in Bolpur, Santiniketan.
Which handicraft is Shantiniketan famous for?
Appliqué work, embossed craftwork, and batik work are famous in Shantiniketan. If you cannot visit the Saturday Hut, you can buy the product from AMAR Kutir.
Is there any dress code for visitors visiting Shantiniketan?
There is no dress code for visitors to Santiniketan. You can choose a dress of your choice.
Which airport is near Shantiniketan?
The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, located approximately 160 kilometres from Bolpur.
Conclusion
Attending Poush Mela in Santiniketan was like stepping into a vibrant canvas of Bengali culture. The fair, held in December, transforms the tranquil town into a bustling hub of music, dance, and art. Walking through the stalls, I was mesmerised by handicrafts, from colourful Kantha embroidery to intricately designed terracotta figurines.
The Baul singers’ soulful tunes added a magical touch to the atmosphere. I even participated in traditional folk dances, which was an exhilarating experience. The cultural programs, a highlight of the mela, showcased Bengal’s rich artistic heritage. By the end of the festival, I was not just a spectator but felt like a part of this vibrant celebration, deeply moved by the spirit of Poush Mela.