Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / India / Varanasi / BrijRama Palace
BrijRama Palace
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India · Brij Hotels · Core Luxury
Built in 1812 on Darbhanga Ghat by Shridhar Narayan Munshi, a Maratha official from Nagpur, this Ganges-front palace became Darbhanga Palace in 1915 when King Rameshwar Singh Bahadur bought it. Brijpal Das spent some eighteen years restoring the Maratha-Rajput house before it opened as BrijRama Palace, 32 rooms with the river under the walls. Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is visible from the terraces, about 100 metres along the water.
- 32 rooms
- Opened 2016
- Neighborhood: Banaras Ghats
- Rooms from 230 sq ft (21 m²)
About BrijRama Palace
- Varuna Burj Suites occupy a semi-circular extension of the palace wall and look 180 degrees across the river toward Vishwanath Temple.
- The Maharaja Suite keeps a clawfoot bathtub; Vasundhara rooms are hung with Bhadohi carpets and Banarasi art.
- High tea is served on Udayan Terrace, looking down on the Ganges.
- New hotels cannot be built on the ghats under current rules, so a palace already on the water is a closed set.
- Entry-level rooms start at 230 sq ft (21 m²).
History
BrijRama Palace stands on Darbhanga Ghat overlooking the Ganges in Varanasi, one of the oldest surviving palace structures on the city's riverfront. The palace was built in 1812 by Shridhar Narayan Munshi (Sri Narayan Munshi), a Maratha official from Nagpur, and in 1915 passed to the royal family of Darbhanga when it was acquired by King Rameshwar Singh Bahadur, after which it became known as Darbhanga Palace.
The heritage building was later acquired by businessman Brijpal Das and painstakingly restored over some eighteen years before opening as a luxury heritage hotel. Now operating as BrijRama Palace with 32 rooms, it blends Maratha and Rajput architectural elements and offers guests direct access to the ghats and the spiritual life of Banaras.
Restaurants and bars
- Darbhanga — Restaurant · Multi-cuisine
- Udayan Terrace — Restaurant
- Aangan — Restaurant · Heritage-inspired 10-course tasting menu
Experiences
- Evening Aarti — Witness the Ganga Aarti at sunset with lamps, chants and bells.
- Subah-e-Banaras — Witness the morning Ganga Aarti as the ghats awaken to prayers, music and first light.
- Holy Bath in the Ganges — A morning holy dip in the Ganges, experienced up close.
- Bajra Dinner — Private meal on a boat on the Ganges after sunset.
- Kathak Dance — Kathak performance in an intimate setting at BrijRama Palace.
- Musical Experience — Evening of Indian classical music at the palace.
Amenities
- Spa
- Fitness center
- Yoga
Open BrijRama Palace in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
More Brij Hotels hotels
- Brij Lakshman Sagar — Pali, India · High Luxury
- Brij Pola — Jawai, India · High Luxury
- Brij Atmanya — Bhowali, India · Core Luxury
- Brij Bageecha — Kukas, India · Core Luxury
- Brij Nest Suites — Jaipur, India · Core Luxury
- Brij Sone Bagh — Bandhavgarh, India · Core Luxury
More hotels in Varanasi
- Taj Ganges, Varanasi — Taj Hotels · High Luxury
- Taj Nadesar Palace — Taj Hotels · Grand Luxury
Brij Hotels in The Maison: the brand's idea, history and every house on the atlas.