Ramnagar Fort

Highlights

Overview

OVERVIEW Standing majestically on the eastern bank of the Ganges, the 18th-century Ramnagar Fort is a cream-coloured sandstone marvel built in 1750 by Kashi Naresh Maharaja Balwant Singh. Designed in a distinct Mughal architectural style, the fort features fortified walls, intricately carved balconies (jharokhas), and sprawling open courtyards. It remains the ancestral residence of the Maharaja of Benares, though a significant portion is open to the public as the Saraswati Bhawan Museum. Visitors can explore a royal collection of vintage cars, ornate palanquins, and an impressive armoury. The fort's riverside location offers breathtaking views of the Varanasi ghats directly opposite. Its cultural peak occurs during the month-long Ramnagar Ramlila, a world-famous dramatic performance of the Ramayana staged across the fort grounds.