Leaning Tower of India

Ratneshwar Mahadev Mandir

While most of us are well aware of Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy, here is an Indian architecture to wonder. Ratneshwar Mahadev Mandir built by a servant of Queen Baija Bai. Various record states that it was built between 1825 and 1830. It’s 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, and its garbhagriha is generally below the water much of the year, except for a few months during the summer.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Unlike all other temples in Varanasi on the coast of Ganga, the temple is built at a very low level. In fact, the water level can reach the shikhara part of the temple. This temple leans over 9 degrees from vertical. 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 20^th century photos.

Comparison

The height of the Ratneshwar temple is not clear as it is stated as 13 m in some sources. However, the fact that it leans at a higher angle than the Leaning Tower of Pisa and is mostly underwater and the structure is rigid makes it one of the architectural marvels of India.