The Prince visited the city of Benares on 5 January 1876. Shortly before sunset the Prince sailed along the River Ganges on a state barge to Ramnagar Palace, where he met the Maharaja of Benares. The Prince and the Maharaja were transported from the river-bank to the palace on gold and silver-chairs, carried by the Maharaja's attendants. From the palace, Russell observed that the surface of the river was covered with tiny oil lamps that it appeared as though 'a starry sky were passing between banks of gold'.