Ramnagar fort is one of the important monuments of Varanasi,
located at a distance of about 14 km from the main town.The fort also houses a
museum that is very much popular among the tourists. The Ramnagar fort is
located on the eastern banks of the Ganges River, close to the Tulsi Ghat,
offering an alluring view of the Ghat and the river flowing by. Availing a holiday package to Varanasi will take you on an exploration of this majestically grand
fort which will be an awe inspiring experience.
History
The monument was structured in 1750 by Kashi Naresh Raja
Balwant Singh. It is built out of cream coloredChunar sandstone and comprises
the architectural style of Mughals, with its open courtyards, carved balconies
and pavilions.
The place is a permanent residence of the royal family of
Banaras, which is still resided by the royal family members, as Maharaja Anant
Narayan Singh currently resides at this place. The monument is still in a good
shape and houses a museum and temples within its premises.
Attractions
One of the popular attractions of this place is the Darbar
Hall. Due to the rich heritage and exclusive architecture, which have been well
maintained till date, the fort has emerged over the years as a prime shooting
location for various Indian movies.
The museum found
within this historic monument showcases a captivating collection of royal
items, such as portraits of Maharajas, Armory of swords and old guns, royal Palkies,
vintage cars, ornate hookahs, jewelries, furniture, antique clocks, royal
clothes, musical instruments and ivory work. The fort and the museum give you
an insight about the lifestyle of the royal family of Banaras.
Apart from these, some of the documents and traces of the
Mughal Empire can also be seen at this museum. Within the premises of this
fort, you will also come across three temples, namely Chhinnamastika temple,
DakshinMukhi Hanuman temple and Durga temple.
There is a huge clock inside the giant walls of the fort,
which not only displays day, week, month and year but also displays the
astronomical facts about the sun, moon and the alignment of stars. This amazing
clock, which is also known as the ‘DharamGhari’, was constructed by a court
astronomer of the royal palace of Banaras, in 1852 AD.
The Ramnagar fort is beautifully decorated during the annual
festival of Dussehra. During this festival a month long Ram Lila drama is
organized behind the fort. There are few other festivals celebrated at this
place and during the festive seasons the fort receives a large number of
tourists and devotees.
Opening Time: The
place is open from 10 am to 5 pm on all days of the week except during the
festive day of Holi.
Entry Fee: The
place charges Rs 15 per head for adults and Rs 10 per head for children.
Best Time to Visit
The place can be visited all around the year, but the best
time to visit the fort would be during the festival of Dussehra, which falls
during the months of September or October.
Accommodation
You will find several numbers of hotels and lodges close to
this historic site that ranges from budget to luxury class. These places are
well equipped all the modern day amenities to make your stay a comfortable one.
How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airport to this place is located at a
distance of about 10 km from the main city of Varanasi. The airport is well
connected with cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Kolkata etc. Local taxis are
available outside the airport to get to the site.
By Train: The nearest train station to this place is located
at a distance of about 10 km from the main city of Varanasi. The station is
well linked with various different parts of the country, such as Indore,
Gwalior, Guwahati, Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Kolkata, Lucknow etc. Tourist will get
local and hired taxis outside the station to get to the site.
By Road: Varanasi has a good network of roads that connects
the city with places like Allahabad, Patna, Ranchi, Lucknow and Gorakhpur. Private
and public buses are available at regular basis from these places to Varanasi.
The museum is located at a distance of about 14 km from the main city of
Varanasi and can be accessed through local transportations.
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