Visva-Bharati launches trial of guided heritage walk in Shantiniketan Ashram campus

Visva-Bharati University has started the trial run of a guided heritage walk inside its Ashram campus from Wednesday. The trial is being held in the morning following the university’s weekly prayer. Vice-Chancellor Professor Prabir Kumar Ghosh and other university officials were present during the inaugural trial. The plan to open the campus to the public through a structured walking tour is part of a broader effort by the university administration.

According to a press statement issued by the university's acting Public Relations Officer Atig Ghosh, the initiative aims to give visitors access to various historically significant sites within the campus. The Ashram area, which had remained closed to tourists and visitors since the COVID-19 pandemic, is now being prepared to accommodate limited public access through this curated format. The walk will be conducted with the assistance of university guides.

The designated heritage walk route begins at Mrinalini Ananda Pathsala, passes through Chaitya Bhavan, and ends at Chhatimtala. The route forms an L-shape and has been constructed using murram soil and cement slabs. As part of beautification, flowering plants will be planted along the route once construction is complete. The entire design and layout of the route has been developed in accordance with UNESCO guidelines, preserving the historic and natural integrity of the Ashram complex.

In addition to the primary heritage path, a separate pedestrian route is also being constructed. This new path will run from the Suvarnarekha crossing to Rabindra Bhavan and is intended to ease pedestrian access by diverting foot traffic away from the state road adjacent to the Upasana Griha. The university has stated that this step is being taken to avoid crowding and ensure smooth visitor movement during the walk.

Initially, the heritage walk will be held once a week. Visitors will be taken on a guided tour of the campus and its key landmarks. The university will consider expanding the frequency and capacity of the tours depending on public interest. As of now, there is no announcement regarding ticket pricing or advance booking. The trial run is being used to assess logistics and gather feedback for the full-scale implementation of the programme.