Ramnagar Fort is located on the eastern bank of River Ganges, opposite to Tulsi Ghat, in Varanasi. The 18th-century red sandstone fort was built in Mughal style by the ruler of Kashi, Maharaja Balwant Singh. It is said to be the ancestral home of the Maharaja of Banaras. A 30-minute boat ride away from Varanasi, the fort is an imposing sight, rising from the bank of the river. It houses a temple dedicated to Ved Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata, along with a popular temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. A museum inside the compound showcases collectables belonging to the royal family. It is known for its exhibits of antique scripts and scriptures, vintage furniture, cars, royal costumes, gold and silver brocaded palanquins and elephant saddles carved out of silver. There is an armoury that contains swords and old guns from Burma (Myanmar), Japan and some African countries, and a rare astronomical clock, which shows the month, week, day, time and other astronomical details about the position of planets, moon and sun. The clock was built in the 19th century in the court of a king of Varanasi. It is said that Ved Vyasa lived and did penance in Ramnagar and thus the fort was built in his honour. The fort palace appears most vibrant during the one-month-long Ram Leela festival held in the months of October-November, where scenes from the epic Ramayana are enacted.
Architecture
The construction of Ramnagar Fort boasts an impressive Mughal architectural design and is beautifully adorned with chunar sandstone. The fort is built on a high elevated platform and comprises many carved balconies, pavilions and spacious courtyards. The fort has two white towers that can be reached by climbing a few steps.
Location Address :
Mirzapur - Varanasi Road, Purana, Ramnagar, Uttar Pradesh 221008, India.
Opening & Closing Timings
Being one of the top places of tourist interest in Varanasi, the fort of Ramnagar remains open all days a week. One can pay a visit to the fort site on any day from 10 in the morning to 5 in the evening.