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The Ramnagar Fort is a fortification in Ramnagar, Varanasi, India. It is
located near the Ganga River on its eastern bank, opposite to the Tulsi
Ghat. The sandstone structure was built in the Mughal style in 1750 by
Kashi Naresh Raja Balwant Singh.
At present, the fort is not in a good shape. It has been the home of
Kashi Naresh since the eighteenth century. The current king and the
resident of the fort is Anant Narayan Singh, who is also known as the
Maharaja of Varanasi even though this royal title has been abolished
since 1971.
Geography
The fort is at a scenic location on the eastern right bank of the Ganges
River, opposite to the Varanasi Ghats. It is 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from
Varanasi and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the Benares Hindu University by
pontoon. The pontoon bridge, which provides access to the fort, has
rickety planks. During the monsoon season, the fort is accessible across
the river by ferry service only. |
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Boat ride to the fort from
Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi takes about an hour. A painted state
barge with a twin emblems in the form of horses could be seen moored to
the landing stage. There is a well laid out garden within the fort which
forms the approach to the palace.
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History
The Ramnagar Fort was built by Kashi Naresh Raja Balwant Singh in
1750. Inscriptions on the outer ramparts of the fort date it to the
seventeenth century.
Architecture
The building was constructed with creamy-coloured chunar sandstone.
It is built in typical Mughal style of architecture. The fort houses
the Veda Vyasa Temple, a museum, and the king's residential complex.
There is also a Dakshin Mukhi temple of Hanuman, which faces towards
south.
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The fort has been built on high ground, which is above the flood level.
The fort has many carved balconies, open courtyards and pavilions. Only
a part of the structure is open for public viewing as the rest of it is
the residence of Kashi Naresh and his family.
The flag on the fort is raised when the Maharaja is in residence in his
palace fort. Within the fort, the palace has two white towers, which are
accessed by a flight of steps. At the end of the flight of steps, there
is an archway and many courtyards that lead to the white tower. The
private residence of the Maharaja is on one side of the tower while the
Durbar Hall and reception rooms are on the other side. An inscription on
the fort wall attests "Fortified House of the Rajah of Benares, with his
state Boat."
Festivals
The fort palace appears very vibrant and colourful when beatified during
the one-month-long Ram Lila festival where different episodes of
Ramayana are enacted. On this occasion, a colourful pageant or
procession of Ramayana epic is presented as part of the Dussehra
celebrations that is held in October under the patronage of the
Maharaja.
These celebrations are concluded on the last day, the Dashami day (10th
day of bright half of Lunar month) as per Hindu Calendar (October as per
Gregorian Calendar, with the burning of the effigy of Ravana, the demon
king, and his associates, which signifies victory of good over evil.
The
festival also includes a procession of various antique displays of Royal
possessions.
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The
Maharaja continues his family tradition of attending the annual
month-long Ram Lila drama festival held in the streets behind the fort
by riding on a decorated elephant at the head of the procession. In
olden days, the drama was performed by the native regiments and the epic
story of Ramayana scripture was read through the month-long festival.
Other festivals held in the fort are in the month of Magh (January and
February) in front of the Veda Vyasa temple where pilgrims visit
Ramnagar. In the month of Phagun, (February and March) a festival called
Raj Mangal is held in the fort with a procession of boats with people,
dancing and singing; it starts from the Asi Ghat, goes along the river
in front of the fort.
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Popular Films Shooting Location
Because of its scenic location on the banks of the Ganges, the fort and
the palace are frequently used as an outdoor shooting location for
films. The film titled Banaras is one of the popular movies shot here.
It was the 7th Pit Stop of The Amazing Race 18.
Sources: Wikipedia
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