culture · Mungpoo, Darjeeling
Rabindra Bhavan, where Tagore stayed
Rabindra Bhavan is the bungalow of Dr Manmohan Sen, the quinine factory's chemist, and his wife Maitreyi Devi, who had known Tagore since she was a girl. The poet came to stay with them four times between 1938 and 1940, in poor health and in the last years of his life. He wrote, painted and talked here, and Maitreyi Devi later recorded their conversations in her book Mangpute Rabindranath.
The museum is small, and you can see it in under an hour. The rooms keep furniture that Tagore used, including a chair and desk, along with photographs of his visits, copies of letters and manuscripts, and reproductions of his paintings. Labels are mostly in Bengali and English. Caretakers often share stories of the poet's stays, and of the house's later years, when it was neglected and then restored as a memorial.
Check opening hours locally before you go, since they can change and the museum may close on some days. Photography inside may not be allowed. Keep your voice low; for many visitors from Bengal this is a place of real feeling. If you can, come on or around 25 Baishakh, Tagore's birth anniversary in early May, when the house fills with songs and recitations.
Good for
Questions people ask
Good to know
Why did Tagore visit Mungpoo
Tagore came to Mungpoo as the guest of Maitreyi Devi, whom he had known since her childhood, and her husband Dr Manmohan Sen, a chemist at the government quinine factory. He visited four times between 1938 and 1940, in the last years of his life, for rest and quiet. Their house is now the Rabindra Bhavan museum.
What is there to see at Rabindra Bhavan Mungpoo
The museum keeps furniture Tagore used, including a chair and desk, photographs of his visits, copies of letters and manuscripts and reproductions of his paintings. The rooms are small and the visit takes under an hour. Labels are in Bengali and English, and caretakers often share stories of the poet's stays.
What are the opening hours of Rabindra Bhavan Mungpoo
It is generally open during daytime hours, but timings and closing days change, and the museum may shut on some days or holidays. Ask your hotel, homestay or driver to confirm before you set out. A small entry fee may be charged. Check current status before you travel, especially if you are coming far for it.
