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The Rajbari Bawali

Palaces
Early Modern & Colonial Expansion
4-Star
The Rajbari Bawali South 24 Parganas Near Bawali High School, 743384 Kolkata, India
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$117.00 /night for 2 adults View Deal

Highlights

Winner of the INTACH Award of Excellence for meticulous restoration efforts

Popular Amenities

  • Parking
  • Restaurant
  • Pets allowed
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Overview

The Rajbari Bawali boasts a long and colorful history involving the noble zamindars of Bengal. The property itself is over 250 years old, symbolizing the power and influence of the Mondal family who once ruled these lands.

Lovingly restored in 2010, The Rajbari Bawali boasts a property that blends heritage appreciation, luxurious vacationing, and getting in touch with nature. The property also takes initiatives to support local arts and crafts. The unique building and antique furniture provide culture vultures a taste of India's amazing past, while the jungle setting enchants visitors with a peaceful and remote retreat. Despite its old-world charm, the property offers modern luxuries like a pool, fine dining, and more.

Very good 8.4
145 reviews
map The Rajbari Bawali South 24 Parganas Near Bawali High School, 743384 Kolkata, India
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Local Info

Victoria Memorial Hall
Indian Museum
Fort William
Nearest Airport
Nearest Railway Station
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History

The property that later became The Rajbari Bawali heritage resort began its story as the ancestral home of the Mondal zamindars. For their courage and loyal service, the Mondals were rewarded with 300,000 acres (121,405.80 hectares) of land in what is now present-day Bengal. Although their power and wealth declined over the years, The Rajbari Bawali remained their best-held property.

True restoration of the property would not begin until 2010 when the now-owner, Ajay Rawla, first discovered the palace. After getting permission from all the surviving owners, he commissioned local artisans and craftsmen to rebuild the palace as faithfully as possible to its original architecture. Likewise, the furniture and fineries from other similar buildings from the palace's time were salvaged and restored, and are now also used in the resort.

History
Aerial view of The Rajbari Bawali

Design and Architecture

Painstakingly restored with the involvement of local craftsmen and artisans, The Rajbari Bawali is a fine example of how one man's passion for preserving culture and heritage can bring about positive impacts. Ajay Rawla sent locals to be trained by the Aga Khan Foundation to learn about lost techniques of lime water construction. Similarly, he also had another group train in traditional brickmaking using special molds found in Qila Nizamat Murshidabad.

For other materials, the resort rescued and reused marble, wood, and even fabrics from other neglected buildings. Today, the resort is known for reviving and showcasing the lost craftsmanship of the Bengalis.

Included in The Rajbari Bawali's selection of suites and rooms are accessible options, perfect for travelers with mobility or vision assistance needs. These rooms have wheelchair-friendly bathrooms, as well as visual aids and auditory guidance.


Amenities

Popular Amenities

  • Parking
  • Restaurant
  • Pets allowed

Rooms

Superior Double Room

Guest
Room 1 Bed Type 6
Room size 59 m2

Price per night

$154.00
per night price includes taxes and charges
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Deluxe Suite

Guest
Room 1 Bed Type 2
Room size 155 m2

Price per night

$228.00
per night price includes taxes and charges
View deal

Double Room

Guest
Room 1 Bed Type 2
Room size 0 m2

Price per night

$117.00
per night price includes taxes and charges
View deal

Dining

Rajbari Bawali's signature restaurant Piano Room will take guests on a culinary adventure through their diverse menu and cuisines. Diners who love Indian flavors can broaden their horizons with the Mughal and Bangladeshi fare, while those who are looking for foreign selections can savor the British, Portuguese, and Armenian delights.

Dining
Rajbari Bawali Dining

Destination wedding

The Rajbari Bawali is a fantastic choice for your destination wedding. Its location, an idyllic village conveniently outside the Kolkata metropolis, provides a picturesque and romantic getaway perfect for a dreamy wedding. Some of the venues where you can hold your ceremony are:

Thakur Dalan: Boasts historic architecture and an opulent atmosphere

Bagan Bari: Garden setting surrounded by nature

Pavilion: Open venue next to a large pond

Book Venue

Events and experiences

Cultural Experiences

Rajbari Bawali heartily encourages guests to immerse themselves in the rich culture India has cultivated. Take home the flavors of West Bengal by signing up for a cooking class or try your hand at traditional handicrafts with a pottery lesson.

Indians love their holidays and religious festivals, particularly Durga Puja for the Bengali people. Other important holidays are Doljatra and Kali Puja. Experience these festivities at the Rajbari.

Other Celebrations

Rajbari Bawali has plenty of small or scaled-down venues you can book for private celebrations such as a birthday or an anniversary. Make sure to collaborate with the staff and management if you'd like to make special arrangements such as folk performances.

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Local Info

Victoria Memorial Hall

Heritage museum dedicated to Queen Victoria with exhibits of Indian culture from the 18th century. (100-minute drive)

Indian Museum

Cultural and historical museum founded in 1814, with exhibits from all over India. (90-minute drive)

Fort William

Colonial Era citadel built in 1696. (90-minute drive)

Nearest Airport

The nearest airport to The Rajbari Bawali is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), which is a 2-hour drive away.

Nearest Railway Station

The closest railway to The Rajbari Bawali is Komagata Maru Budge Budge, which requires a 38-minute car transfer to reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Customer Reviews

Location

An amazing location, beautiful heritage hotel, with a lush garden with ponds, big tropical trees and 2 big swimming pools.

Dining

The food was excellent and the behaviour of the staff was just awesome.