  Ba(Fe$_{1/2}$Nb$_{1/2}$)O$_3$ (BFN) ceramics are considered to be promising
for technological applications owing to their high dielectric constant over a
wide range of temperatures. However, there exists considerable discrepancy over
the structural details. We address this discrepancy through a combined x-ray
diffraction at room temperature and neutron powder diffraction measurements in
the range from 5K up to room temperature, supplemented by a comparative
analysis of the earlier reported structures. Our study reveals a cubic
structure with space group Pm$\bar{3}$m at all measured temperatures. Further,
the x-ray near edge structure and the extended x-ray absorption fine structure
studies on the local environment of the Fe ions is consistent with the cubic
symmetry. An appropriate value of $U$ for DFT+$U$ calculations is obtained by
comparison with x-ray absorption spectroscopy, which agrees well with the
earlier reported electronic properties.
