Located in North Kolkata, Jorasanko Thakur Bari is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the capital city. It was the ancestral house of the Tagore family and served as the birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore. For those who love history and want to know more about the nationalist movements in India and especially Bengal, this Thakur Bari is the place to go. One can find the life and works of Rabindranath Tagore, a number of manuscripts, books, and many other antique items.
Things to Do :
The Jorasanko Thakur Bari is now also known as the Rabindra Bharti Museum. The Thakur Bari has been transformed in a way by the authorities that it is now a true resemblance of the way the Tagore family lived and resided. People visit this museum to know more about the life and lifestyle of the Tagore family. It also tells a lot about the involvement that the Tagore family had in the Bengal Renaissance movement.
Architecture :
The museum or the Thakur Bari comprises three main galleries. The three galleries are distributed in such a way that it serves the tourists in a very comforting manner to view and experience each aspect of the house. In the first gallery, you can see the life and works of our national hero Rabindranath Tagore. In the second and third galleries, one can see the life of the Tagore family and its ancestry.
History :
Constructed in the 18th century, the Jorasanko Thakur Bari is one of the oldest homes in Kolkata. It was built by the Jorasanko people and is located in the northern part of Kolkata. The Sett family of Burrabazaar donated the land for this home to the grandfather of Rabindranath Tagore, Prince Dwarkanath Tagore and thus, this ancestral home was built here. The main reason why this Thakur Bari became so popular among the tourists is that it was the birthplace of the Indian nationalist and poet Mr. Rabindranath Tagore and it is this same home where he spent a majority of his childhood.
Best Time to Visit :
The Jorasanko Thakur Bari is located within the precincts of Rabindra Bharti University. There are many events that are organized by the university on a regular interval. On the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore, the university celebrates the Panchise Baisakh when a number of cultural programs take place. The Aban Mela is also a festival that is a great time to visit here. You can also see the Baishe Shravan program that is celebrated on the death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.
How to Reach :
Located at the Dwarakanath Tagore Lane in Jorasanko in Kolkata, the Jorasanko Thakur Bari is easily accessible as it is inside the Rabindra Bharti University Campus. There are many modes to reach the campus and thus this Thakur Bari. There are many cabs and private buses that connect the Thakur Bari to the other parts of Kolkata. The metro also offers seamless connectivity to the place. You can avoid the traffic jams by getting down at the Girish Park metro station and taking a small walk from there.