Ramnagar Fort
रामनगर किला
A sandstone fort on the east bank of the Ganges, the ancestral seat of the Maharajas of Banaras. Its museum displays antique cars, silver-plated elephant howdahs, weapons and an old astronomical clock.
Ramnagar Fort stands on the east bank of the Ganges, facing the old city across the river. Built in the 18th century by Maharaja Balwant Singh of Banaras from red-ochre Chunar sandstone, it blends Mughal and Indian styles. It is still home to descendants of the former royal family. Part of the fort houses the Saraswati Bhawan Museum, which displays vintage cars, silver-plated elephant howdahs, palanquins, antique weapons, ivory objects, manuscripts and an astronomical clock that shows the date, month, year and the positions of the stars. The exhibits are a little worn but full of character. Inside the fort is the Vyasa Temple, dedicated to Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata. From the ramparts you can see the Ganges and the silhouettes of the ghats on the far bank, and the evening light is especially lovely. Around Dussehra each year, Ramnagar stages the Ramlila, a roughly month-long open-air performance of the Ram story. It is one of India's oldest Ramlila productions, and the Maharaja attends in person. Entry for foreign visitors is about ₹200 (check on site). Getting there: an auto-rickshaw from Assi Ghat crosses the bridge in about 30 minutes. In the dry season, you can also charter a boat.
Opening hours
About 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Assi Ghat
- Tulsi Ghat
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
- Tulsi Manas Mandir
- Chet Singh Ghat
- Durga Temple (Durga Kund)
- Harishchandra Ghat
- Kedar Ghat