Ratneshwar Mahadev Mandir
Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple
Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictVaranasi
DeityLord Shiva
FestivalsMahashivratri
Location
LocationManikarnika Ghat, Varanasi
StateUttar Pradesh
CountryIndia
Geographic coordinates25°18′43″N 83°00′58″E / 25.3119°N 83.01603°E / 25.3119; 83.01603
Architecture
Completed19th century based upon records, earlier by legend
Elevation25[1] m (82 ft)

Ratneshwar Mahadev Mandir (also known as Matri-rin Mahadev, or Leaning temple of Varanasi) is one of the most photographed temples in the holy city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple, while apparently well-preserved, leans significantly towards the back side (north-west), and its garbhagriha is generally below the water much of the year, except for a few months during the summer. The Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple is situated at Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi. The temple has developed a nine-degree slant.[2][3]

Architecture

The temple is elegantly constructed in the classical style with a Nagara Shikhara and Phamsana mandapa.[4] The site of the temple is very unusual. Unlike all other temples in Varanasi on the banks of Ganga, the temple is built at a very low level. In fact, the water level can reach the shikhara part of the temple.[5]

It is constructed at a very low spot; the builder must have known that its garbhagriha would be underwater for much of the year. In spite of much of the temple being underwater during most of the year, it is well preserved, except for the lean that can be noted in 20th century photos.

A number of online posts have falsely stated that the temple is 74 m high, however the actual height is estimated to be somewhere around 13 m [6]

History

The Temple is also known as Kashi Karvat (Kashi is the ancient name for Varanasi and karvat means leaning in Hindi). The actual time of construction is unknown. However, the priests claim it was built by an unnamed servant of Raja Man Singh for his mother Ratna Bai about 500 years ago.[7] According to the revenue records, it was constructed from 1825 to 1830. However, according to Dr. Ratnesh Varma of District Cultural Committee, it was constructed by the Amethi royal family.[8] James Prinsep, who was an assay master at the Banaras Mint from 1820 to 1830,[9] created a series of drawings, one of which includes the Ratneshwar Mahadev temple. He commented that when the temple entrance was underwater, the priest used to dive in the water to conduct worship.

Some sources claim that was built by Queen Baija Bai of Gwalior in the 19th century.[10] According to another story, it was built by a female servant of Ahilya Bai of Indore, named Ratna Bai. Ahilya Bai cursed it to lean because her servant had named it after herself.[3]

Photographs from 1860s do not show the building leaning. Modern photographs show a lean of about nine degrees. The building is likely leaning due to waterlogged foundation.[3] A lightning strike in 2015 caused slight damage to some of the elements of the shikhara.[3]

Location

The temple in Manikarnika Ghat is located in front to the Tarkeshwar Mahadev Mandir[11] built in 1795 by Ahilyabai Holkar,[12] where Lord Shiva is said to recite the Taraka Mantra (salvation mantra). Between the two temple is a spot that was termed as the holiest spot in Banaras by James Prinsep in 1832.[13] An 1865 photograph terms one of the temples as the Vishnupad temple. It is likely the Ganesh temple with the Charan Paduka of Lord Vishnu near it (only distinguished individuals can be cremated at the spot).[14] The same spot is said to have been the site of a Sati in a 1903 print.[15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Elevation". Elevation finder.
  2. ↑ पीसा की मीनार की तरह झुका हुआ है ये मंदिर, आज तक नहीं खुल पाया रहस्य dainikbhaskar.com, 14 September 2015
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Ratneshwar Mahadev - The Leaning Temple of Kashi". Varanasi Guru. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  4. ↑ iasmania (12 January 2016). "Temples Styles in North India (Nagara Style) Iasmania - Civil Services Preparation Online ! UPSC & IAS Study Material". Iasmania - Civil Services Preparation Online ! UPSC & IAS Study Material. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  5. ↑ Kashi Vishwanath JyotirLinga Temple Darshan in Varanasi - Part 1, at 8:28
  6. ↑ Fact Check: Varanasi's Ratneshwar Temple Leans More Than Tower Of Pisa? - The Logical Indian
  7. ↑ "Leaning Temple of Varanasi beats the Leaning Tower of Pisa, this is how | Times of India Travel". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020.
  8. ↑ किसके श्राप से टेढ़ा हुआ था यह मंदिर, भरा रहता है कीचड़, पढ़ें 5 MYTHS, dainikbhaskar.com | 14 March 2016
  9. ↑ "James Prinsep | English antiquarian | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  10. ↑ "Ratneshwar Mahadev - the Leaning Temple of Kashi". 6 October 2020.
  11. ↑ "Manikarnika Ghat - The Burning Ghat of Varanasi". Varanasi Guru. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  12. ↑ "The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Manikarnika Ghat - Wikiversity". en.wikiversity.org. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  13. ↑ Prinsep, James (25 April 2011), English: "Benares, A Brahmin placing a garland on the holiest spot in the sacred city" - (aka: Varanasi), retrieved 21 May 2022
  14. ↑ Parry, Jonathan P. (7 July 1994). Death in Banaras. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-46625-7.
  15. ↑ Library, Boston Public (25 September 2013), Local Accession Number: 06_11_003882, retrieved 21 May 2022
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