Escape Into Bengal's Aristocratic Past At The Garden Bungalow In Shantiniketan

A zamindari bungalow from 19th century Bengal, the Garden Bungalow sits in the middle of a three-acre garden in Shantiniketan, where Rabindranath Tagore once lived, and set up a university.

There are four suites in this gorgeous bungalow: The Poet’s Recluse, The Painter’s Retreat, The King’s Chambers and the Bahaar Hall. Each is done up absolutely beautifully, coming as close as it gets to how it would have looked like in olden times—you’ll see a whole lot of antiques, including the shutter windows that have been collected from zamindari residencies and aristocratic houses across Bengal.

All the suites are open up to bright verandahs, where we suggest you sit back and listen to the birds, and rustling of trees.

We’re absolutely loving the two side-by-side lotus ponds in the garden; seriously, this is what #InstagramGoals are made of. If Instagramming and bird-watching don’t cut it for you, there’s plenty more to do around town. There’s a deer park, a fossil park, Viswabharati campus, the local markets, and a weekly haat. 

We strongly advise going here only if you really want to immerse yourself in 19th century Bengal, talk to the locals, eat amazing, regional food and surround yourself in silence.

We’re definitely, definitely going here, and soon. They even rent out the entire bungalow, so we suggest you make this into the most offbeat, quiet trip you’ve ever had with your friends. Check out the tariff here.

To book a room, call +91 9899760538, +91 8130719139 or write to thegardenbungalow@gmail.com. Find out more here.

The Bolpur railway station {and all of Shantiniketan for that matter} looks like something out of a movie; it’s small, cute and crowded. One almost expects steam engines to come puffing down the tracks.