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Ramnagar Fort

The Ramnagar Fort in Varanasi, Ramnagar is a gorgeous fort near the River Ganges, opposite the Tulsi Ghat. Built in 1750 by Balwant Singh, the Kaashi Naresh, this monument is made of the unusual cream chunar sandstone. The structure, despite being made by a Hindu king, clearly displays the influence of the Mughal architecture including open courtyards and curvaceous balconies. Presently, the fort is not in a very good state. Joke to the Kashi Naresh since the 18th century, this fort has a museum featuring the antiquarian items from the royal household. The inscriptions on the ramparts date back to apparently 17th century.

History

Ramnagar in the era of the Mahabharata, used to be the Rishi Ved Vyas's tapa sthal or the place where he received enlightenment.

Situated opposite the Tulsi Ghat, this fort was constructed in 1750 by Raja Balwant Singh displaying the Mughal style of architecture. This fort also features a Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Temple. Constructed at a greater height above the ground level, presently just a small part of the fort is available for the visitors.

The Museum including the Darbar Hall at the fort, re-create the impression of the courts in the ancient era. The collections in the museum include the old guns, aged armoury, conventional cars, swords, ornamented hookahs, decorative portraits, daggers, astronomical clocks, black music instruments, items having ivory works, palkis in gold and silver, sedan chairs bejeweled, elephant saddles carved from silver, traditional furnishing, traditional costumes and a number of antique items.

The Ramnagar Fort attracts big crowds for the Ramlila festival. The Dusshera festival, also known as the Ramlila Festival is held in October and continues till the last day of Dashami. This is the time, when the city celebrates the Raj Mangal festival in Phalgun month.

Ramnagar Fort Museum

Ramnagar Fort, the residential place of the King of Kashi and temple of the Ved Vyas, houses a museum known as the Vidya Mandir or Saraswati Bhawan Museum. The Museum and Darbar Hall at the Ramnagar Fort make the mirror image of a court of the ancient time. A variety of Royal collections like old guns, traditional cars, old armory, swords, old armored matchlocks, ornate hookahs, daggers, portraits of the Maharajas, black musical instruments traditional astronomical clocks, ivory work, gold and silver palki of the King, bejeweled sedan chairs, silver elephant saddles carved out of silver, jewelleries, furniture, old and traditional costumes (made up of kimkhwa silk) are collected in the museum.

Some religious writings with the attractively designed cover in the Mughal miniatures style are collected in the fort. Some of old documents, traces of the Mughal period are also available there. Antique pieces in the museum and the Ramlila celebration attract a huge crowd in the Ramnagar.

Ramlila Festival Celebration

Ramnagar Fort is the most famous place for annually celebrating the Ramlila (Dussehra) which is held in the month of October and finished on the last day of the Dashmi. People celebrate the festival Dussehra by burning the dummy of the demon king Ravana which represents the victory of good over evil. The celebration starts in the presence of the King of Kashi and his family. King of Kashi comes into the fair by riding on an ornamented elephant. A famous festival named Raj Mangal is also celebrated at the fort in the month of Falgun. It starts at the Assi ghat (along River facing the fort) by the parade of boats, then dancing and singing in the fort.

Best time to Visit

The fort can be visited anytime of the year, but October to March is the ideal time to visit Varanasi. One may also opt to visit Ramnagar Fort during the occasion of Dussehra celebrations.

How to Reach

By Bus

Revised content: Varanasi is linked strongly with other Indian cities by the roadways like the National Highway 2. You can avail daily buses from Delhi ISBT Anand Vihar. Buses are easily and frequently available from Allahabad & Lucknow.

By Train

You can easily travel to Varanasi by train as it's well connected to important Indian cities by the rail route.

By Air

Varanasi airport is known as Babatpur Airport, it has a good connectivity with Delhi, Mumbai, Khajuraho & Kathmandu.

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