Bawali is a village town near the industrial town of Budge-Budge in South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. Bawali, the semi urban town in Budge Budge came into existence during the rule of Mughal Emperor, Akbar.

From the late 18th century to the mid of 19th century, Bawali was developed as the most important centre of trade and commerce. There are several temples built from 16th century to 18th Century. The interesting spots in Bawali are Bawali Rajbari, Naba Ratna Gopinath Temple, Jal Tungi Garden; Arms Place (Barud Ghar) still stand there with the strange octagonal structure. A walk through the mud roads seeing the ruined buildings of Corinthian order is alluring the visitor.

History of Bawali
Bawali has witnessed many historical events like the crest and trough of dynastical rules from the medieval age to the time of Independence. The nearby ferry ghat of Budge Budge greeted Swami Vivekananda in 1897 when he returned from his Chicago visit. Till date, this event is celebrated by the people of Budge Budge on 19th of February every year. In the year 1914, during First World War, Budge Budge Riot was happened, where the Sikh nationalist Gurdit Singh was arrested in his Japanese ship Komagata Maru for protesting against the Exclusion Laws in Canada. Unfortunately, 20 Sikh nationalists fell to the British police firing and many were kept under house arrest in the nearby villages.

Tourism in Bawali
In Bawali, there is a palace built by the feudal rulers of Akbar`s times. The Bawali Palace was constructed by the Mondal family of Bawali. From the rule of Mondal family, this non-descriptive village soon turned into a prosperous temple town of South 24 Parganas. Later after the independence of India, in the year 1947, this temple town of South Bengal lost its regal glory. Apart from the massive temples, the Mondal family of Bawali constructed several mansions in European style, turning the village into an interesting architectural mix with Western thoughts.

The greatest attraction of Bawali is the palace of Bawali, which is locally known as Bawali Rajbari and its adjacent Navratna Gopinath Temple that was built at the same time. It is believed that Rani Rashmoni in the early phase of colonial times built the famous Dakshineshwar Temple, which is now the major tourist attraction in West Bengal, inspired from the architecture of this temple in Bawali. Other important tourist attraction sites in Bawali are Achipur, the Chinese Settlements in Achipur, Boro Kachari Temple, coastal areas of River Hugli, Raypur, Public Nursery, Arms Place or Barood Ghar.