Ramnagar Fort

En un regard

Le château en bref

Ramnagar Fort rises on the eastern bank of the Ganges, opposite the ghats of Varanasi, where the river reaches the holy city. Built around 1750 by Maharaja Balwant Singh, ruler of Kashi, it is constructed of Chunar red sandstone, the same stone as the ghats, on a raised terrace beyond the reach of floods. Its Mughal-inspired architecture combines crenellated walls, arched gateways, chhajja balconies, jali screens and ornate pavilions. The official residence of the Maharajas of Benares, the fort retains a private wing still inhabited by the family. The former hall of audience houses the Saraswati Bhawan museum, which displays antique cars, palanquins, brocade costumes, ivory objects, weapons and an astronomical clock dating from 1872. Between the rear of the fort and the river are small temples dedicated to the sage Vyasa, as well as shrines to Durga, Chhinnamasta and Hanuman. Each autumn, the town hosts the famous Ramlila of Ramnagar, performed over a month under the patronage of the maharaja.