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Perched directly above Darbhanga Ghat on the sacred Ganges—an 1812 Maratha stone fortress featuring India’s first historic 1918 elevator, pure Sattvik dining, classical sitar recitals, and sweeping riverfront solitude.
Perched directly on the water’s edge along Darbhanga Ghat—one of the oldest and most photogenic ghats on the Ganges—BrijRama Palace is widely recognized as Varanasi’s oldest surviving landmark building.Originally constructed in 1812 by Shridhara Narayana Munshi, the minister for the Maratha estate of Nagpur, the fortress was later acquired in 1915 by King Rameshwar Singh Bahadur of Darbhanga in Bihar, who expanded the structure into a royal riverfront palace.
The architecture is a striking fusion of Maratha fortress engineering and royal courtly elegance.Built from heavy carved sandstone, the palace features semicircular bastions, arched colonnades, and intricate betel-leaf relief patterns running along the cornices.Notably, the property houses India’s first hydraulic elevator—installed in 1918 using wood and brass to carry the Darbhanga king to his private upper chambers, and still operating today to welcome guests upon arrival.
Accommodations comprise 32 individually styled rooms and suites spread across three levels, each adorned with authentic Banarasi silk textiles, vintage period furniture, and hand-painted ceiling murals in pure gold and silver leaf. Select suites—such as the semicircular Varuna Burj built into the palace bastion—offer breathtaking 180-degree panoramic views of the Ganges River and sunrise over the east bank.
Gastronomy at BrijRama Palace honors the sacred culinary traditions of Banaras. The palace operates strictly as a pure vegetarian (Sattvik) and non-alcoholic establishment. Darbhanga restaurant serves refined multi-course thalis, regional Awadhi specialties, and traditional Banarasi street food elevated for royal dining, served in atmospheric courtyards or on private riverfront terraces.
Life at the palace is deeply attuned to the spiritual rhythm of the Ganges. Guests arrive via a serene 20-minute private boat ride from Rajghat, bypassing city traffic to disembark directly onto the palace steps. Mornings begin with sunrise boat rides past chanting monks and bathing pilgrims, afternoons feature traditional high tea on the Udayan terrace, and evenings conclude with live sitar and flute recitals in the courtyard as temple bells echo across the river.
BrijRama Palace is the quintessential riverfront heritage stay in Varanasi. We recommend it specifically to culture enthusiasts, history lovers, and spiritual travelers who want to experience the sacred energy of the Ganges directly from a 210-year-old Maratha stone fortress equipped with boat arrival and unmatched ghat vistas.
Because selecting between Nadidhara, Dhanurdhara, Vasundhara Rooms, and the Varuna Burj Suite involves matching your river elevation preferences, arranging private Ganges boat transfers from Rajghat, and organizing private terrace seats for the evening Ganga Aarti, every detail is managed personally by our curators. Connect with our team to arrange your stay.
Many of our guests combine multiple destinations into one seamless journey. Whether you’re planning a Heartland circuit or travelling further across India, we’ll personally design an itinerary that brings together exceptional stays, private transfers and memorable experiences—tailored entirely around you.
