Ratneshwar Mahadev Mandir: This Temple is Tilted to One Side for 300 Years and Remains Submerged for 6 months

Today we will be talking about the historical Shiva temple Ratneshwar Mahadev located at Dattatreya Ghat near Manikarnika Ghat.

This temple has a history of more than three hundred years and is also a center of wonder for the people. The temple has been tilted to one side for almost three hundred years and remains submerged in water for six months during which time no worship or aarti takes place at the temple.

In Kashi, the city of Lord Shiva, everything is governed by the intention and grace of Mahadev. The beauty of Shivnagari is unique in Saavan. In all the Shiva temples of the city including Baba Vishwanath’s Dham, there is chanting of Bol Bam, consecration, during worship, but there is one temple where neither the chants of Bol Bam nor the bells and gongs of worship are heard.

The temple of Ratneshwar Mahadev, situated on the Dattatreya Ghat in the foothills of the Ganga, presents a new vision of Kashi encompassing proverbs, sayings and stories. While the Shiva temple is buzzing with devotees during the month of Sawan, neither devotees go to this temple nor any kind of worship takes place.

This is because of the rising water level of the River Ganga, which submerges the in the month of Sawan.

Therefore, this historical Shiva temple Ratneshwar Mahadev located at Dattatreya Ghat near Manikarnika Ghat has a history of more than three hundred years and is also a center of wonder for the people. This wonderment about the temple comes from it being tilted to one side for almost three hundred years and remains submerged in water for six months. During the days when the temple gets flooded, water reaches the peak of this temple which is more than 40 feet high. After the flood waters recede, silt accumulates inside the temple. No one knows the secret of how the temple is still standing despite it being tilted and being repeated submerged for half the year every years.

Popular stories about the temple
The temple’s is said to have a very interesting history. Different stories are told about how the temple came to be constructed. According to experts Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple was established by Ratnabai, the maid of Queen Mother Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Due to it having a weak base, this temple tilted towards one side over time, which is unique in itself. Not just one or two but many Shivlingas are installed in the sanctum sanctorum. It is also called the mini court of Shiva. Many people fool pilgrims and devotees by calling it Kashi Karvat. Whereas Kashi Karvat Temple is in Kachori Gali.

Another story goes that Ahilya Bai was happy to see the temple being built, but she had told Ratna Bai not to give her name to this temple. However, Ratna Bai did not listen to Ahilya Baiand named the temple Ratneshwar Mahadev. This is said to have angered Ahilya Bai and she cursed that this temple will witness very few darshans in the temple premises. This is said to have caused the temple to become crooked and remains submerged in the Ganga for most of the year.

These are just some of the stories associated with the temple but whatever may be the truth the temple is still an architectural and spiritual wonder which continues to amaze the people.