The best time to be in Calcutta is September to March. However, many swear by the joys of Calcutta in the monsoon. The other cultural destinations also have a calendar common to Calcutta. The much-revered Durga Pooja is celebrated during September/October. Though the birth date of Rabindranath falls on May 8/9, the anniversary as well as the Bengali New Year is celebrated on the first day of the Bengali New Year (mid April) and this is an auspicious occasion at Shantiniketan.