Alamgir Mosque

The Alamgir Mosque above Panchaganga Ghat is among the lesser-visited places to visit in Varanasi. This guide covers its history, architecture and visitor etiquette.

The Alamgir Mosque, also known as the Aurangzeb Mosque or Beni Madhav ka Darera, stands on a high bank above Panchaganga Ghat on the Ganges. Wikipedia says Emperor Aurangzeb built it in the 1670s after taking Varanasi in 1669 and named it after his imperial title, Alamgir. The building blends Indo-Islamic and local architectural traditions and has several domes.

It once had two tall minarets: James Prinsep restored them in the 19th century, one collapsed in the 1948 floods, killing people nearby, and the other was later demolished for safety. The mosque is an active place of worship and is also listed as a tourist attraction. Its terrace and the steps of Panchaganga Ghat, where five streams are said to meet, give a wide view of the river and the city's skyline, and the ghat is a common stop on boat rides.

No visiting hours or admission fee are stated in the sources we read, so visitors should check locally, dress modestly and avoid prayer times. Non-Muslim access rules and photography policy were not confirmed. Respect worshippers and keep voices low.