Banda on the Ken: Fort, Temple and Local Discoveries
Accommodation in Banda
The city of Banda lies on the banks of the Ken. Historical and religious sites, a tank with a park opposite it, and the city’s association with Gomed gemstones give Banda a variety of facets. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider whether you mainly want to explore its architectural and religious sites, or also include Nawab Tank and the surrounding area in your discoveries.
Fort and Temple: History and Religious Sites
The ruins of Bhuragarh Fort are said to have been built from brown stones by Raja Guman Singh in the 17th century. The fort is also the setting for Natbali Ka Mela, a festival held there every year during Makar Sankranti. Visitors interested in historical sites and local traditions can consider these two aspects together: the traditional accounts of how the ruins originated and the festival that returns each year.
Another religious site is Bamdev Temple. It is said to be named after Bamdeo Rishi, who is considered a contemporary of Lord Rama in Hindu mythology. Inside the temple, a large Shivling, described as the oldest, is located in a hollow in Bambeshar Pahar. The temple’s name, mythological tradition and Shivling make it a distinct point of interest alongside the fort ruins.
Jami Masjid is also locally known as Jama Masjid. The mosque lies east of the city of Banda, near the hospital, and is included in the Archaeological Survey of India’s list of centrally protected monuments and sites. If you are interested in religious architecture, it adds another site with its own history and name to the temples and fort.
Exploring the Ken, Nawab Tank and the City
Banda is known for Gomed gemstones, which are extracted from the bed of the Ken River. The river is therefore not only a geographical reference point for the city, but is also associated with a distinctive local gemstone. Nawab Tank lies about 3 kilometres south of the city of Banda. Van Vihar Park is located opposite the tank. Flora Nursery, near Nawab Tank, sells plants as well as flower seeds. A tank, a park opposite it and a place to buy plants are therefore all close together—different points of interest for visitors who want to discover Banda beyond its historic buildings.
Getting There and Choosing a Location
National Highway 76 runs through Banda and connects the city with Jhansi and Allahabad. Banda railway station is part of the Jhansi railway division of the North Central Railway Zone. The station is 2 kilometres from Bamdev Temple. These details offer different reference points for your trip: the road running through the city, the railway station and a specific distance to a religious site.
For an overview of the wider destination: Uttar Pradesh.
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