Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple — Attraction in Uttar Pradesh

Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple, often referred to as the “Leaning Temple of Varanasi,” is one of the city’s most enigmatic and visually arresting landmarks. Located near Manikarnika Ghat, this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva captivates visitors not only with its spiritual aura but also with its architectural mystery. With a pronounced tilt of nearly nine degrees, it stands partially submerged in the Ganga for much of the year, evoking both wonder and reverence.

What makes Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple truly fascinating is the blend of legend and engineering that surrounds it. Some stories attribute its construction to a devoted servant of Ahilyabai Holkar, while others speak of a curse tied to the idea that a mother’s debt can never be repaid—hence the temple’s alternate name, “Matri Rin.” These tales add a layer of poetic symbolism to the temple’s leaning posture, making it not just a structure, but a story carved in stone.

Despite being submerged for several months during the monsoon, the temple remains remarkably intact, its spire often peeking above the water like a sentinel of time. This resilience adds to its mystique, drawing photographers, pilgrims, and curious travelers who marvel at its quiet defiance of gravity and tide.

The temple’s surroundings are equally evocative. Set against the backdrop of Manikarnika’s eternal flames and the timeless flow of the Ganga, Ratneshwar Mahadev feels like a bridge between the seen and the unseen, the earthly and the divine. It doesn’t host grand rituals or daily aartis, yet its presence is deeply spiritual—an unspoken reminder of humility, devotion, and the mysteries that endure beyond explanation.

For those who seek beauty in the unusual and meaning in the silent, Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple offers a rare and unforgettable experience. It is not just a monument—it is a meditation in stone, leaning gently into the river and into the hearts of all...

Whenever we hear about ‘the leaning tower’, it usually reminds us of the Pisa tower in Italy. But did you know that there is a structure in India that leans more than Pisa and is even taller than it? The Pisa tower has a lean of around 4 degrees. But the Ratneshwar Temple, nestled near Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, leans by around 9 degrees. As per some reports, the temple has a height of 74 ft (Wikipedia 82ft). The historic Ratneshwar Temple dates back to centuries and is one of the most photographed temples in Varanasi.

The Ratneshwar Temple of Varanasi is dedicated to Mahadev.

The shrine has a phamsana mandapa and a nagara-style spire. The Ratneshwar Temple sits midway between Manikarnika Ghat and Scindhia Ghat. The level of the temple is conspicuously low, right by the river’s edge. It remains submerged in the river water for most of the time in the year. At times, the water level even rises up to the spire of the temple.

According to the legends Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple was built by one of the servants of Raja Man Singh in memory of his late mother Ratna Bai. Upon completing the construction he told everyone that he’s paid the debt of his mother by building this temple. Since the mother’s debt (Matri-rin) can never be paid back, the temple got cursed. This is why the temple is also known as Matri-rin Mahadev.

Another story states that the temple was built by Ratna Bai, a servant of Ahilya Bai. The queen cursed this temple when Ratna Bai named it on herself as Ratneshwar Mahadev.

Since this temple is believed to be cursed, the temple is non functional ,however temple is on Ghat Area, thats why it is most of the time submerged with...

Ratneshwar Mahadev temple is a strange and holy temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is located at Scindia Ghat. It is also known as the learning temple of Varanasi and is famous for its distinct tilt. There are different stories regarding the construction of the temple. According to some, the temple was built by Queen Baija Bai, Another story claims that it was built by Ratna Bai, a female servant of Queen Ahilya Bai of Indore.

There ae two famous legends related to temple tilting. According to the legends Ratneshwar Mahadev temple was built by one of the servants of Raja Man Singh in memory of his late mother Ratna Bai. Upon completing the construction he told everyone that he's paid the debt of his mother by building this temple. Since the mother's debt can never be paid back, the temple got cursed. This is why the temple is also known as Matri-rin Mahadev temple. Second legend states that the temple was built by Ratna Bai, a servant of Ahilya Bai. The queen cursed this temple when Ratna Bai named it on herself as Ratneshwar Mahadev. Interesting facts about Ratneshwar Mahadev temple: The Ratneshwar Mahadev temple is one of the most photographed spot in Varanasi. The Ratneshwar Mahadev is also known as the Kashi Karvat. The Ratneshwar Mahadev temple's height is roughly 74 meters, which is approximately 20 meters higher than the Pisa tower in Italy. This temple is tilted by 9 degree to the northwest and it is believed that its tilted to one side for 300 years and still remain same. This temple remains submerged in to water for almost 6...