I spent the past week in this rustic town in a beautiful homestay run by the multifaceted Nayana, a 6th generation Tagorean. Between jobs is a good time for reflecting and realigning with self. This was the second time I stayed with Nayana in Santiniketan. I had family accompanying me for the first two days, and I stayed on solo for the next 5 days.

Attention to detail is truly her strong suit, and she made sure we were well taken care of. She organized a day out for us with Nobi Da, her trusted Toto driver specifying pitstops which would appeal to all of us - we soaked in the historic houses within the university precincts, visited Amar Kutir and picked up handlooms and hand crafted curios, and visited the Sanibaarer Haat which my mother in law fell in love with. Maku Didi, Nayana's well trained and affectionate house help, made us home cooked breakfasts every single day(poori chola, Spanish omelettes) and ensured we had tea and coffee when required.

Once my folks left, Nayana and I spent time traversing the dusty bylanes of this beautiful town, exploring the temples and ruins of Birbhum district(as a specially curated tour), meeting with artists and potters(friends of Nayana), alums of Kala Bhavan who have made Santiniketan a home away from home. It was wonderful to meet the well known artist duo, Rashmi and Kingshuk Sarkar, and Lipi, the owner of Lipi's pottery studio. I also found my way to Subarnarekha, a book store which sells old and new books, and found a few gems. Nayana treated me to Bellada's melt in the mouth butter cookies, which I purchased by the dozen. She also made me a wonderful dalia khichdi with accompaniments(including chuna mach) for lunch, and a delicious pasta with ham for dinner during my stay. Most afternoons, I ordered home cooked non veg meals from Borgi Da.

Nayana is twice my age and yet we connect like two peas in a pod. Languid mornings and afternoons spent reading and writing in her beautiful, aesthetically done up property really helped calm down my nerves. There are about 25+ bird species to be found on her campus, filled with trees and greenery. We went up to the terrace post dinner most evenings and spent time under the moonlit and starlit skies.

Nayana is a great conversationalist, and a wonderful host. She is great with textiles and supports multiple causes of social impact. She is perceptive and lets you have your space. She is now opening her homestay for month long workcations from April - September, and I intend to go back during the monsoons. Her property now has very easy wifi, and I would absolutely recommend it for short and long term stays.

I have attached a few pictures from my lovely stay in Santiniketan.

These days, "homestay" is a much-abused word in these parts of India. For a property tagged as a homestay, one didn't quite know what to expect -- an aspiring hotel or a toned down resort. Nayana's Homestay restored one's faith in that word. The "Chhota Kothhi" is a homestay in the truest sense of the word: you feel as if you are part of Nayana's household.
The bungalow itself is beautiful, a lived-in and organic space reflecting the owner's eclectic taste. Both the bungalow and its owner could make you feel at home immediately. Nayana is a wonderful host and an excellent conversationalist, ever ready to chat on any and all subjects under the sun. She knows the area very well and can guide you on all things Shantiniketan, from sourcing a "khesh" cushion or a rare book to the best restaurants around.
The homestay's ecosystem also includes Ronnie, the friendly pet, Maku, who could rustle up a mean spanish omlette, and Nobi, a Shantiniketan old hand whose toto you can depend on, night or day. The location of Chhota Kothhi is very convenient: Sonajhuri haat is a stone's throw away, and the Biswabharati campus an 8-min toto ride away.
We spent a very relaxing and delightful couple of days at Nayana's homestay, browsing through her large book collection, listening to her stories, and birdwatching in her large garden. We would love to go back again -- I think there are more nooks to discover in that wonderful homestay.

5 days with Nayana, in her beautiful Shanti Niketan world, stirred my soul. Her hospitality and the warm, welcoming environment she nurtures at her homestay - including her eclectic team of Maku- her efficient housekeeper, Ronnie - her resident four-legged beast, Nobi - her toto-man and Shibu - her driver and fellow explorer - along with time spent with members of her local community of artists and artisans - friends like family - transported me to a new dimension. I fell asleep each night before my head even touched my pillow, with each day packed with new experiences and great conversations. If you are searching for a place to explore Shanti Niketan slightly deeper, then base yourself at Nayana’s Homestay - and take her recommendations for where to eat, what to see, and how to go about it. Her rates are supreme value for money, every meal (home-cooked and ordered in) was a triumph and the location perfect as a base to explore Bolpur, Birbhum and even Bishnupur or Murshidabad for day trips or on foot as she is walking distance from so many interesting places too. My room was spacious and comfortable, with clean linen and a large double bed that could easily sleep 3. I had a clean bathroom and hot water. The common areas are strewn with fascinating items she has collected on her travels, her bookshelves are teeming with delicious books, and her walls full of interesting art. I loved the fact that there was great cross ventilation with a spring breeze always wafting through the house, golden sunlight streaming through the windows and birds chirping in the trees. I was pre-warned about the mosquitoes, and didn’t get bitten even once as I used repellent and there were mosquito coils and plug-ins to chase them away - they seemed like friendly country mozzies though, and not the nasty city ones! I can’t wait to return and can’t recommend this delightful homestay highly enough.