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.

[2][3] It was built by Aman Dev The temple is elegantly constructed in the classical style with a Nagara Shikhara and Samvarna mandapa.

However, the priests claim that it was built by an unnamed servant of Raja Man Singh for his mother Ratna Bai about 500 years ago.

[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.

It is likely the Ganesh temple with the Charan Paduka of Lord Vishnu near it (only distinguished individuals can be cremated at the spot).