It commemorates the day Rabindranath began taking open-air classes at Shantiniketan. It also commemorates Rabindranath's father, Maharshi Debendranath's initiation into the Brahmo Samaj of Calcutta. The fair has extensive displays of folk arts and crafts. Its theme is a blend of Birbhum's Adivasi-Santhal and Baul folk and tribal cultures, alongside Tagorean innovations in art and culture. The Vasantotsav or spring festival of Shantiniketan is held around the middle of March every year.
Cultural programmes celebrate the arrival of the vasanta season or spring.
Pageants of colour create a distinct ambience of spring at Shantiniketan.