Overview

  • Features: Crumbling fort and palace with a dust-covered yet interesting museum of exhibits
  • Opening Times: 9am to 12pm & 2:pm to 5:30pm, daily
  • Best Time to Visit: Before sunset
  • Duration: 2 to 3 hours
  • Travelled By: Foot
  • Cost: Rs 15
  • Address: Ram Nagar, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Type: Fort

Author Reviews[display_rating_item_results rating_form_id=”2″ rating_entry_ids=”1″ show_category_filter=”false” show_options=”true” result_type=”star_rating” preserve_max_rating=”true” show_title=”false” show_count=”false” ]

Total Rating: [display_rating_result rating_form_id=”2″ show_count=”false” show_rich_snippets=true] [accordions load=”1″] [accordion title=”User Reviews” last] [display_rating_item_results rating_form_id=”5″ show_options=”true” result_type=”star_rating” preserve_max_rating=”true” show_title=”false” show_count=”true” show_rich_snippets=true] [/accordion] [accordion title=”Add Review”][display_rating_form show_email_input=”true” show_comment_textarea=”true” show_name_input=”true” rating_form_id=”5″] [/accordion] [/accordions]

What We Liked

View of the fort from across the river.

What We Disliked

Dilapidated condition, requires much restoration work.

Summary

The 17th century Ramnagar Fort and Palace is the only attraction located on the eastern bank of the river. Apart from an interesting museum housed in the Durbar Hall, it is also a fantastic place to watch the sun set over the river. Although now in a state of disrepair, the palace still retains its charm.

Why the Crumbling Ramnagar Fort Varanasi is Worth a Visit

 

[singlepic id=393 w=720 h=560 float=center]

 

Lying on the eastern bank of the Ganges River beyond Assi Ghat, in a dramatic setting on the edge of narrow crowded streets, the 17th century Ramnagar Fort and Palace is another worthwhile attraction to visit in Varanasi. This crumbling yet impressive palace used to be home to the maharajas of Varanasi for over 400 years. Although now in a state of disrepair, the palace still retains its charm. Ornamented swords, photographs of tiger shoots and visits by the King and Queen of Belgium line the walls.

 

[singlepic id=396 w=720 h=560 float=center]

 

 

Ramnagar Fort Museum Varanasi

 

[singlepic id=397 w=720 h=560 float=center]

 

Today, the impressive Durbar Hall, designed to remain cool in the summer heat, houses an eccentric museum with dusty, moth-eaten, decaying exhibits. Noteworthy among them are the vintage American cars, jewel-encrusted sedan chairs, palanquins, elephant howdahs, headdresses and costumes and a superb weaponry section. Look out for the extremely unusual but amazing locally-made astrological clock.

Ramnagar Fort is the only attraction located on the eastern bank of the river. Apart from its interesting museum, it is also a fantastic place to watch the sun set over the river.

The current maharaja, Anant Narayan Singh – still known in these parts as the Maharaja of Benares despite such royal titles being officially abolished in 1971 – continues his family tradition of attending the annual month-long Ram Lila drama festival held in the streets behind the fort.

Nearby Ramnagar village has Ramlila performances during Dussehra (October to November) and some quieter backalleys which make for a relaxing trip.

 

 

Ramnagar Fort Varanasi Timings

Ramnagar Fort & Palace is open daily from 10am to 12pm & from 2pm to 4:30pm.

 

 

Getting to & from Ramnagar Fort

Ramnagar Fort is located on the eastern bank of the Ganges south of Assi Ghat. Boats operate a shuttle service across the river (Rs 10 return, 10 minutes) between 5am and 8pm, but from November to June you can also cross on the somewhat unsteady pontoon bridge. A boat all the way back to Dasaswamedh Ghat is Rs 200-300.

 

 

Tell us what you think. Are you planning to visit the Ramnagar Fort in Varanasi? If you’ve been to this fort before, please share with us your experiences. 

We love to hear from you so please leave your comments below. 

 

 

[wpgmza id=”41″]