Bawali and Achipur, A long awaited family tour

Bawali and Achipur

A long awaited family tour

It has been almost two years since our last vacation in Boronti, a weekend destination in Purulia, and my wife and eight year old daughter were desperate for a holiday.

With my wife (Debjani) and daughter (Rupsha) at the banks of River Hooghly, near Achipur Barood Ghar

We decided to visit Bawali in South 24 Parganas and my wife took the initiative of booking the Bawali Farmhouse.

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The Rajbari Bawali, Heritage Inspired

The Rajbari Bawali

Heritage Inspired

Flashback I (5 July, 2008): I took a crowded trekker from the Amtala crossing on the DH Road for Bawali. I had no idea about what I was heading for. Getting down at the Bawali crossing I was guided by the locals past the the Bawali High School to the ruined but magnificent Gopinath Temple.

The Rajbari Bawali Heritage Hotel at night

On my left was a pond and across it was the crumbling Mondal Mansion of Bawali. I spend the next couple of hours exploring Bawali from the Jal Tungi to the crumbling temples. Locals informed me that a non – Bengali gentleman was planning to convert the Bawali Mansion into a heritage hotel. (For details see: Bawali, Temples and Mansion)

Radhanath Temple, Mondal Temple Lane, Tollygunge Circular Road

Radhanath Temple of the Mondal Family

Mondal Temple Lane, Tollygunge Circular Road

Also see: Bawali Temples and Bawali Rajbari

History books tell us that the Mondals of Bawali were originally Roys. Shovaram, the grandson of Basudev Roy (who lived between the end of 16th century and the early 17th century), was awarded the title Mondal. Shovaram’s grandson Rajaram was the senapati of the Raja of Hijli. Moved by his bravery, the raja offered him the ownership of 50 villages, which included Bowali and Budge Budge.

Radhanath Temple of the Mondal Family, towers above the roof top

The family set up residence in Bawali. This marked the beginning of their dominance in the area, roughly around 1710. The family flourished under Rajaram’s grandson Haradhan, who enjoyed the patronage of East India Company.

Bawali Rajbari, Budge Budge, 24 Pargans (South)

Bawali ~ Revisited

Bawali Rajbari, Budge Budge, 24 Pargans (South)

See also: Bawali ~ Temples & Mansions

Bawali Rajbari Courtyard, Bawali, 24 Parganas (South)

As I entered the courtyard of the Mondal mansion of the Bawali, it was a pleasant surprise for me. In the three years since my last visit the crumbling Mondal Mansion of Bawali have been given a face lift.

Bawali ~ Temples & Mansions

Bawali

~ Temples and Mansions ~

Bawali, a nondescript village just off the Diamond Harbour Road (DH rd) from Amtala, is home to towering temples and palatial mansions.

Nabaratna styled Gopinath Temple, Bawali

History books tell us that the Mondals of Bawali were originally Roys. Shovaram, the grandson of Basudev Roy (who lived between the end of 16th century and the early 17th century), was awarded the title Mondal. Shovaram’s grandson Rajaram was the senapati of the Raja of Hijli. Moved by his bravery, the raja offered him the ownership of 50 villages, which included Bowali and Budge Budge.