Ramnagar Fort

Ramnagar Fort, located on the eastern bank of the Ganges River, is an 18th-century sandstone fort built by Kashi Naresh Raja Balwant Singh in 1750. This majestic fort, showcasing Mughal and Rajput architectural influences, served as the residential palace of the Maharaja of Varanasi.

Inside the fort, visitors can explore the Ramnagar Fort Museum (Saraswati Bhawan Museum), which houses an impressive collection of antique weapons, vintage cars, royal palanquins, medieval astronomical clocks, and manuscripts. A highlight is the massive clock, which not only shows time but also displays astronomical details such as planetary positions and lunar cycles.

The fort is also famous for hosting the grand Ramlila festival, a month-long theatrical enactment of the Ramayana, attracting thousands of devotees. The scenic location along the Ganges adds to its charm, offering a spectacular view of Varanasi’s ghats.