In Nature’s Lap – Bawali Farmhouse

Tucked away by the roadside near Budge Budge is a little slice of heaven – Bawali Farmhouse. Just about one and a half hours by car from Kolkata, it is the perfect weekend retreat for nature lovers. As

I write this post, I am sitting by the lakeside, with ducks swimming by, and a relaxing breeze playing with my hair. Tempting? I strongly recommend this small resort, which has all amenities that a good accomodation should have and lets you commune with nature in peace. Bawali Farmhouse employs nice homely staff who politely serve your needs and the food is just awesome. You need to book12 hours before what you want to eat, as they do not have a ready menu. However, that planning pays off when you smell the aroma of basmati rice, dal, vegetables, and a spicy mutton curry with pan to round it off.

The place is full of greenery. It started out as a nursery and the owner, Mr. Chatterjee is a collector of exotic plants around the world. Each room has a personalized name and is a cottage. There is one large tree house for large groups. The rooms are clean and comfortable – and the part I liked the most is that each room comes with a bookshelf and some books. Perfect for a bookworm like yours truly!

There are fruit and flower trees galore and the place attracts a number of birds, like the woodpecker, babblers, oriole, and many more. My husband who is a keen bird enthusiast had the time of his life clicking away his feathered friends.

For those wanting to see nearby attractions, the Bawali

Rajbari and Gopinath Jiu temple are 1 km away. You need to book in advance to visit the Rajbari. The Gopinath Jiu temple is a historical site, almost in ruins, but the main idols are beautifully kept – Jaganath and Krishna, as well as Radha and Krishna.

If you are willing to drive for another half an hour, then the Raipur riverside is a good place to go and spend some time by the water. There are flocks of water birds thronging the trees and the waters of the Ganges soothe you immensely. Fresh fish is available off the river, in the afternoons.

All in all, I must say, it is one of the best weekend destinations near Kolkata. The ideal time to visit would be in winter, when the weather is pleasant. Just remember to buy some mosquito repellent cream and you will be good to go!

I plan to come back here as soon as I can and spend some more time in the lap of nature! J