This temple is situated in front of Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, which is known as Ratneshwar Temple.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, located in Italy, is a wonderful piece of architecture. The building is inclined 4 degrees from its foundation. The tower of Pisa, about 54 meters high, is famous all over the world due to its bending. But today we will tell you about a temple more beautiful than the tower of Pisa, which is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This temple is situated in front of Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, which is known as Ratneshwar Temple.
Ratneshwar Temple is inclined 9 degrees from its foundation and its height is 13.14 meters. The architecture of this temple is very ethereal. For hundreds of years this temple has been tilted to one side. But even today it is a matter of mystery how this weighty temple made of stones has stood for hundreds of years even though it is crooked.
While all the temples are built upstairs on the Ganga Ghat in Varanasi, the Ratneshwar temple is built below the Manikarnika Ghat. Being at the bottom of the ghat, this temple remains submerged in the water of river Ganga for more than six months of the year. In the event of a flood, the water of the river reaches the top of the temple. According to local priests, worship takes place in this temple only for two-three months.
Ahilyabai Holkar's maid had built this temple
According to the local people, many temples and ponds in Varanasi were built by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar. During his reign, his maid Ratna Bai expressed his desire to build a Shiva temple in front of Manikarnika Ghat and got this temple built. This temple was named Ratneshwar after the name of that maid.
Popular tales about the temple
Some legends are also prevalent about Ratneshwar temple. Local people call it Kashi Karvat. At the same time, some people call it the Matrirun temple. Somebody built this temple to get rid of the debt of his mother, but this temple turned crooked. In such a situation, it was said that the debt of the mother cannot be repaid.