Shubh Travel
Shubh Travel
Darbhanga Ghat is arguably the most visually striking and architecturally stunning ghat in all of Varanasi. Dominated by a colossal sandstone palace, it brings Rajput and Greek architectural flair to the holy river.
Darbhanga Ghat and its adjoining Munshi Ghat form a unified, breathtaking architectural facade. The massive structure looming over the steps is the Darbhanga Palace, built in the early 1900s by the influential royal family of Bihar, the King of Darbhanga (Rameshwar Singh Bahadur).
The palace was constructed for the royal family to watch the religious proceedings on the river and to house priests. It features distinctive Greek pillars, heavy Indian sandstone balconies (jharokhas), and towering stone steps leading into the Ganga.
Today, the Darbhanga Palace has been meticulously restored and converted into one of the most luxurious heritage hotels in India: The BrijRama Palace.
• The Ancient Elevator: In 1915, the King installed a hand-operated elevator for older members of the royal family. This absolute marvel of engineering still exists and functions inside the hotel.
• Photography: If you browse through famous photographs or paintings of Varanasi, the towering pillars of Darbhanga Ghat are almost always heavily featured. The sunrise light hitting the sandstone makes it a favorite for global photographers.
Darbhanga Ghat is located right next to Dashashwamedh Ghat. This prime location allows visitors to experience the intense spiritual energy of the evening Ganga Aarti entirely by walking, and then effortlessly retreat to the quiet grandeur of the Darbhanga stairs.
Are you staying at the BrijRama Palace or planning to visit for high tea and photography? The lanes connecting to it are entirely closed to outside traffic.
Here’s how Shubh Travel helps: Book an airport pickup with us. We drop you at the Godowlia crossing or at Assi Ghat, from where you can take a specialized Bajra (boat) directly to the Ghat’s private docking area.
For custom city tours and the most trusted cab fleet in Varanasi, explore Shubh Travel services.
As per official Varanasi tourism data and heritage guidelines, verifying timings of ancient ghats and temples ensures a flawless trip. You can explore more at the Kashi Govt Website.
Need reliable assistance reaching these historic places? You can effortlessly check our local travel services for safe, comfortable transport instead of worrying about the traffic.
Generally, casual tourists are not permitted inside the hotel to maintain privacy. However, you can book a table at their riverside restaurant in advance to experience the interior architecture.
The most majestic imposing photos of the palace are taken from a rowboat positioned 30 meters out into the river at sunrise (between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM).
Travel the city in the comfort of an AC Sedan or SUV. Contact Shubh Travel today.
Instant confirmation • No advance payment