Ramnagar, culturally alive like the olden days, seats the Ramnagar Fort, which is the residence of the King of Kashi (Kashi Naresh). The city exudes the nostalgic silence of the glorious past through the stunning architecture of the renowned Fort. Ramnagar colorfully adorns on major festival days; Ramlila being the most prominent. The Fort houses a museum which has a stunning collection of artifacts that portrays the cultural richness of the region. The place also has a few temples like Vyasa Temple, Durga Temple and Chinmastika Temple. A few restaurants also can be seen around the area. A famous delicacy from the region is the 'Ramnagar Lassi' (A Sweet Preparation of Yoghurt) which is served in earthen cups - Shiv-Prasad Lassi Bhandar is recommended to try. Do visit Ramnagar for a dose of history and culture.
The ingenuous design of St Mary's Cathedral was the handiwork of architect Krishna Menon who successfully conceptualized and executed an architecture which would not be typically Christian but which would also allude to elements of Indian architecture. As opposed to the traditional spire that's common to European cathedrals, this one has a number of sloping roofs tiled with red mangalore tiles. An aerial view presents an interesting geometric pattern that represents a many-sided star. This Roman Catholic church is popular with tourists who often stop by at the basement to view the permanent collection of religious art work.
The Deer Park in Sarnath was where Lord Buddha gave his first discourse while sitting amongst the Brahmins of Kapilavastu. Not much seems to have changed even now in these tranquil confines where one can spot the occasional deer frolicking in the foliage, blissfully unaware of the world outside. Reminiscent of the days gone by, one is almost taken back to the history class text book chapter, 'Sermon in the Deer Park'. The word Sarnath actually comes from Saranganath which means 'Lord of the Deer', a nickname given to Buddha.
Set upon the eastern banks of the River Ganges is the imposing Ramnagar Fort which was built from red sandstone and marble in the 17th Century by Maharajah Balwant Singh. The sprawling complex also includes a couple of temples which enjoy expansive views of the river and of melancholic sunsets which get further compounded by silhouettes of the water buffaloes trudging along forlornly in the distance. A museum within, captivates visitors with its collection of Rolls Royce cars, hunting rifles and palanquins which were used by members of the erstwhile royal family. The Maharajah of Varanasi lives here in his palace which is off-limits to casual tourists. The best time to visit is probably before sunset as this is one of the few attractions in Varanasi which affords visitors sunset views. Entrance to the fort complex itself is free but charges apply for museum entry.
The lesser-known Dundi Raj Ganesh Mandir lies just a few minutes away from the acclaimed Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Heavily armed policemen are the first thing you will encounter at the entrance, and they will fiercely ward off anyone trying to take photographs even from the entrance. Though this may seem a bit much to foreign travelers, the reasons are mainly related to national security rather than preservation of sanctity. The main deity of this revered temple is Lord Ganesha who is the son of Shiva. The temple itself is ancient in nature and extremely beautiful, and if you're a devotee, then you are in for a treat.
Located a stone's throw away from the Alamgir Mosque, is the rather inconspicuous-looking Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir which nevertheless attracts devotees in large numbers. Established in 1475 CE and renovated in 1975, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort Goddess Laxmi. Offering visitors elevated views of the holy River Ganges and of the charming boats below, a visit is surely in order. Also watch out for the playful monkeys who may get a tad too close. The best way to reach here is by walking along the ghats and taking a turn at Panchganga Ghat.