Chunargarh of "Chandrakanta", the classic novel by Babu Devakinandan Khatri is 40 kms from the city of Varanasi. Today the place is known as Chunar. Along one of the meander of the Ganges where the Kaimur Hills are taking a North facing are built the imposing fort of Chunar. The area is rich in sand stone and for centuries Chunar sand stone has been used. The highly polished Ashokan pillar was built from the sand stone from Chunar. History says that the place was existing in days of Vikamaditya, who had occupied the place way back in 56 BC.
The fort is attributed to the legendary Sher Shah Suri. The fort has also seen the live samadhi being taken by Bhartrihari within its premises. The Chunar Fort is is protected by massive rampats which look down the flowing river and often when the river leaves the shore, the citadel overlooks a beautiful beach. From the rampets the sunset is very beautiful to watch. Akbar once captured this fort but till the Britishers came in 1764 this fort was under the Nawabs of Avadh. The main attraction inside the fort is the Sonwa Mandap, the Sun Dial and the Huge Well.