Ramnagar Fort, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
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 Pelu Bhiru
Singh, who is also known as the Maharaja of Varanasi even though this royal
title has been abolished since 1971.
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 from Varanasi and 2 kilometres 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. 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.
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.
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".
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.
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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