In 1843, Devendranath started the Tattwabodhini Patrika as mouthpiece of the Tattwabodhini Sabha. In the same year, he revived the Brahmo Sabha fallen in vigour since the death of Rammohan (1774-1833) in 1833. The Brahmo Sabha was originally absorbed into the Tattwabodhini Sabha and renamed as Calcutta Brahmo Samaj. Devendranath took 20 of his young associates who joined him on 21 December 1843 (7 Paush, 1765 B.E.). This led the step for converting Brahmo Samaj into a spiritual fraternity. This day is still commemorated with the annual Paush mela at Santiniketan. The history of the place goes back to the 1860s, when Devendranath was struck by the beauty of the place of Shantiniketan, the western most corner of Bengal in Birbhum with red laterite soil, watered by several rain-fed rivulets. Passing through the village commons of Bhuvandanga (an area avoided by travellors because of dacoits), Maharshi was captivated by the beauty of two luxuriantly canopied Chattim trees, offering shade in that barren red land. To the Maharshi this was an idyllic venue for meditating. So he bought a large tract of land along with the two Chhatim trees and built a beautiful prayer hall with stained glass. Trees were planted all around to achieve the ancient forest-ashram look. In keeping with the spirit of the place, Maharshi named it "Shantiniketan" or 'the abode of peace'.
