A Sudden U-Turn: What Happened in 24 Hours?
In a surprising turn of events, Visva-Bharati University has reversed its decision to allow tourists into the Santiniketan Ashram within just 24 hours. On Friday, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prabir Kumar Ghosh, announced that the campus would reopen to visitors. However, the university authorities later issued an official notification stating that the Ashram will not be opened immediately.
This sudden policy change has sparked curiosity and debate. What led to such a quick reversal? Let’s dive deeper into the unfolding events.
Why Was Visva-Bharati Campus Closed to Tourists?
Historically, tourists were allowed to visit the Visva-Bharati campus, but only after 2 PM. However, in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ashram premises were closed to the public. Even after the situation normalized, the campus remained off-limits.
Despite being a place of historical and cultural significance, the Ashram remained inaccessible to tourists for around six years.
UNESCO World Heritage Status & Its Impact
On September 17, 2023, Visva-Bharati received the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage status. This made it the only active university in the world to hold this recognition. With this status came strict UNESCO guidelines that Visva-Bharati must follow.
This raises an important question: How will the university balance heritage conservation with tourism?
Why Was the Decision Reversed?
On March 21, 2025, an international discussion on “World Heritage and Tourism” took place at Visva-Bharati’s central office. During the event, Vice-Chancellor Prabir Kumar Ghosh announced the reopening of the campus to tourists. However, within 24 hours, the authorities took a step back.
Key Reasons for the Reversal:
- Need for Infrastructure & Guidelines
- The university stated that before reopening, proper infrastructure and rules must be in place to protect the sanctity of the Ashram.
- The administration will soon define tourist access limits, visiting hours, and security protocols.
- UNESCO’s Regulations
- As a World Heritage Site, Santiniketan must follow UNESCO’s strict conservation guidelines.
- The authorities realized they needed more time to align tourism policies with these regulations.
- Controlled & Regulated Entry
- Instead of an open-for-all system, Visva-Bharati has introduced a pre-approval process.
- Visitors must apply via email at least two weeks in advance to get permission.
How Can You Visit Visva-Bharati Now?
If you’re planning to visit the Santiniketan Ashram, here’s what you need to do:
- Apply for Permission in Advance
- Email your request to [email protected] at least two weeks before your intended visit.
- Wait for Approval
- Only approved applicants will be allowed into the core heritage zone.
- Follow the New Rules (Coming Soon)
- Once Visva-Bharati finalizes the tourism policy, visitors will need to comply with specific guidelines.
What’s Next for Santiniketan Tourism?
Visva-Bharati has assured that the Ashram will open soon, but only with proper planning. A structured tourist policy will ensure that visitors can experience the rich cultural and historical heritage of Rabindranath Tagore’s legacy while maintaining the sanctity of the site.
Tourism at Santiniketan is not just about sightseeing—it’s about immersing oneself in Tagore’s vision of education, art, and heritage. With the right balance between conservation and accessibility, Visva-Bharati may soon welcome tourists again—but under strict regulation.
