Situated on the right bank of river Ganga at a distance of 14 km. from Varanasi, is the 17th century Ramnagar Fort, built by Maharaja Balwant Singh in 1750A.D as his residential palace. It is an astronomical and astrological wonder which stands as a strength and steadiness to the city. The palace is a fine blend of Indian and Islamic style of architecture constructed with red stone. The major attraction of the fort is the hall of public audience, popularly known as 'Durbal Hall'. During the festive occasion of Dussehra, the fort and its surroundings are majestically decorated.

The palace houses a museum known as Maharaja Banaras Vidya Mandir Museum having a huge collection of brocade costumes; howdahs and palanquins made of silver and ivory; weapons; expensive coaches made of ivory. Inside the giant walls of the palace, there is a big clock (Dharam Ghari), made by the court astronomer of Banaras in 1852A.D. Besides showing the time, year, month, week and day, this wonder clock baffles the onlooker with astronomical facts about the sun, moon and constellation of stars.

Within Ramnagar fort premises, there is a temple dedicated to Ved Vyas, the author of the great Indian epic Mahabharata believed to be stayed here for a short period. The temple consists of 3 lingams representing Kashi Vishwanath (Lord Shiva), Vyasa and his son, Suka. The fort remains opens from 10.am to12.pm and 2.pm to 4.30pm.