Kashi Naresh - The present king of Varanasi(Kashi)

Anant Narayan Singh, the present king of Kashi(old name of Varanasi) resides at the Ramnagar Fort at Ramnagar which is at a distance of around 12 kms from from the Varanasi railway station. He is an extremely popular person in Varanasi and is the religious head of the the people. He is married to Maharani Anamika Devi. His official residence, the Ramnagar fort and its museum are of immense historical and cultural significance and are also a very popular tourist spot. The king himself has a deep interest in the cultural activities of Varanasi and takes personal interest in the successful enactment of the Ramlila play that is staged every year in Varanasi. He also presides over several annual festivities such as Nagnathiya held at the Tulsi Ghat.
While the erstwhile kingdom was merged in to India in 1948, the respected king is still revered by the people as the Kashi Naresh meaning ruler of kashi or varanasi.
The Kashi Naresh is also the president of the trust that manages the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.
Due to his active involvement in several cultural activities around the year that are symbolic of the unique heritage of Varanasi, the Kashi Naresh is loved and respected by one and all in Varanasi.