Chunar Fort: History, Attractions, Timings & Entry Fees

Chunar Fort  Varanasi

Chunar Fort is one of the most attractive places to visit near Varanasi situated on the bank of the river Ganga in Mirzapur district at a distance of 45 Km from Varanasi.

It is also known as Chandrakanta Chunagarh, Nainagarh, and Charanadri. This lofty fort proudly stands on the rock of the Vindhya range at an altitude of 280 feet above sea level.

The name of few legends is linked up with this grandiose Chunar Fort. The first mythical story which hooked up with this fort is the story of King Bali due to which this place is also known as Charanadri.

Lord Vishnu comes in front of King Bali in his Vamana incarnation and requests him for three feet of land and the generous king agreed. After that, God left his footprints on the Adri hill of Chunar Fort.

Another story of the past belongs to the king of Ujjain name Vikramaditya. It is said that Maharaja Vikramaditya built this fort for his brother hermit brother Bharthari.

Bharthari was a true devotee of Gorakhnath, who spent his life in this fort and later take alive Samadhi here. Since then, there is a myth that Bharthari is still invisibly on his Samadhi.

Also Read: Top 10 Must See Attractions In Varanasi and Nearby

Chunar Fort History :

Chunar Fort history has been marked since 56 BC during the era of Maharaja Vikramaditya. Later in 16^th– century was ruled by Mughal rulers Babar in 1529, Sher Shah Suri in 1532 took control over the fort.

After that, since 1574 to 1772 the Mughal dynasty ruled over the place. In 1772, the British East India Company captured the Chunar Fort under Major Munro.

In 1791, the Chunar Fort becomes the centre of the invalid European Battalion. Later, till India’s, Independence British used the fort as their warehouse to store weapons.

Chunar Fort also connected with paranormal history. Devaki Nandan Khatri is also known as Chandrakanta penned about some supernatural activities held at this fort.

The attraction of Chunar Fort :

The major attraction is Samadhi of Bharthari, Sonwa Mandap which was built by King of Nepal, Chandrakanta Twist, Hanging Place it is actually a capital punishment place.

Bungalow of Warren Hastings, Underground Tunnels & Prisons, and Well of Love constructed by King Vikramaditya for his beloved wife who uses this well for ablutions, the well has secret dungeons and changing rooms.

People and place :

The main mode of earning the livelihood is agriculture and agri-based business. Here agriculture mostly dependent on the rainfall occurring between July to sept and this area is well connected to canals. Local gathering and Melas are the primary sources of entertainment.

Durga temple is situated in a cave near the fort. One of the famous beverage organization of entire eastern UP Apsara Beverages is headquartered in Chunar.

There is lakhaniya waterfall which is 28 km far from chunar station and Shri paramhans ashram which is 17 km away from chunar station.

Chunar Fort Timing :

Fort open every day from 10:00 – 5:00 pm

Best time to visit Chunar Fort :

Best time to visit Chunar Fort is between October to March.

Entry Fees :

There is no entry fee to visit this Fort.

How To Reach

• Air: the Nearest airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri airport in Varanasi
• Rail: Chunar is well connected with major cities.
• Road: From Varanasi – 40km, Mirzapur – 40 km, Allahabad – 130 km