Top 8 Temples To Visit In Rishikesh The Temple is a place that is dedicated to God’s worship. Every temple in Rishikesh is famous for various reasons, such as Aarti, mantras and hawan chanting. For internal harmony and positivity, individuals come to temples.
A tehsil in the district of Dehradun in the state of Uttarakhand is the city of Rishikesh. Rishikesh is also popularly known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ as well as the ‘Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas’ in the northern part of India in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. It lies about twenty-five kilometres from the holy city of Haridwar, which you and Rishikesh should intend on visiting. Both Rishikesh and Haridwar have been recognised as the nation’s “Twin National Heritage Cities” since 2015. Both non-vegetarian food and alcohol are banned here because of the sacred and religious importance of the city of Rishikesh. A number of ancient temples, both big and small, line the streets of the city of Rishikesh. All these temples you can visit back to back while in Rishikesh.
Though tourism has always been on the rise in the state of Uttarakhand, temple tourism is one of the most important aspects of the state. In order to worship and explore the famous temples in the city, numerous devotees from all over the world visit Rishikesh. A variety of religious sites, including ancient temples, are located in the town. For many years , a number of saints and sages have lived and visited Rishikesh. No other location in the world can be compared to the holy feeling one gets here. The city also features a variety of ashramas, apart from the different temples, where different religious events take place throughout the year. These ashramas can be visited and you can also observe the events taking place here. Also, make sure to shop in and around the city markets, which sell some colourful items mostly associated with the Hindu faith, temples, and deities.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
The temple of Neelkanth Mahadev is the place where Lord Shiva put in his neck a venom (called Halahala) that came from the sea (Samudra Manthan). The venom may be the reason behind Lord Shiva ‘s blue throat, thus giving him the name of Neelkanth. The holy shrine is situated at the confluence of the Madhumati and Pankaja rivers between the highly impressive Manikoot, Brahmakoot and Vishnukoot valleys. Like the bright exteriors, the interiors are just as exquisite. The shikhara can be seen above the entrance door, adorned with sculptures of gods and demons, illustrating the storey of Samudra Manthan. Where a divine shivling (lingam) lies is the principal sanctum of the temples. The temple complex features a hot spring where, before entering the temple, devotees are seen taking a holy bath. There is also a desire for the Banyan tree to be fulfilled. One should visit here during the Maha Shivratri festival or Shravana, the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, for visitors who want to see the enjoyable and joyful side of the temple.
The temple is approximately 32 km from Rishikesh and can easily be reached by bus or taxi. If tourists have some spare time, a cave temple can be visited, which is 2 km uphill from the main shrine.
- Distance from City Centre – 7 kilometers
- Visiting Hours – All days of the week from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Time to Explore the Neelkantha Mahadeva Temple – 1 Hour
- Entry Fee – No Entry Fee
Bhootnath Temple
Bhootnath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva’s Hindu temple. Bhootnath Temple is located behind the Parmarth Niketan Ashram in the Swargashram district. There are several floors at Bhootnath Temple. The small temple on the first floor is the largest temple. You can get an incredible panoramic view of Rishikesh from the top floor.
Legend has it that Lord Shiva rested here as he was about to marry his first wife, Sati. This temple is quite quite like not many people come here, unlike the other temple. The temple is surrounded on 3 sides by Rajaji National Park.
- Distance from City Centre – 6 kilometres
- Visiting Hours – During the day hours
- Time to Explore the Bhootnath Temple – 1 to 2 Hours
- Entry Fee – No Entry Fee
Kunjapuri Temple
The name given to a peak with an altitude of about 1,676 m above sea level is Kunjapuri. There is a holy temple called Kunjapuri temple and one of the most visited places in the Tehri district, not only because of its past of gods and goddesses, but also because of its panoramic view of the Garhwal Himalayan peaks. It has a spectacular view of the Himalayan snow-ranges like Swargarohini, Gangotri, Banderpunch and Chaukhamba, and of the Bhagirathi valley like Rishikesh, DoonValley and Haridwar. It is 7 kilometres from Narendra Nagar, 15 kilometres from Rishikesh and 93 kilometres from Devaprayag.
If you are a lover of nature and want to do something new, trekking through the green forest from Hindolakhal village to the temple would be more adventurous. It’s just around 5KM. Sunrise and sunset views from the Himalayan peaks are also enjoyed by travellers. Pilgrims will take pictures of their lovely moments with their loved ones after reaching the temple and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. The Kunjapuri Temple’s opening hours are from 6 am to 8 am. The best time to visit the Temple of Kunjapuri is all year round. Come and get the chance to see the Hindu rituals and the beauty of Indian culture here in the Navratra season.
- Distance from City Centre – 11 kilometres
- Visiting Hours – 24 Hours
- Time to Explore the Kunjapuri Devi Temple – 1 to 2 Hours
- Entry Fee – No Entry Fee
Tera Manzil Temple or Trimbakeshwar Temple
Tera Manzil Temple is one of Rishikesh’s most attractive temples that can be incorporated into your itinerary while visiting the city. It is also popularly known as the Temple of Trimbakeshwar. It is a huge temple with thirteen tales lying on the banks of the Ganga River. It is situated precisely opposite the famous Jhula Lakshman. For the pilgrims to come and pray, the temple roof keeps a variety of deities together. For its outstanding architecture, the temple is very well-known. The temple’s top floor provides a mesmerising view of the breathtaking scenery. It is said that this temple is about four hundred years old with incredible ancient architecture, which you should visit when you come to Rishikesh city.
- Distance from City Centre – 7 kilometres
- Visiting Hours – 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Time to Explore the Tera Manzil Temple – 2 to 3 Hours
- Entry Fee – No Entry Fee
Virbhadra Temple
Another addition to the list of temples to be visited in Rishikesh is the magnificent and pious Temple of Virbhadra. This one is a 13-year-old temple and is dedicated to Lord Shiva ‘s fierce avatar. Lord Shiva ‘s fierce avatar was caught when his pet, Devi Sati, gave up her life by jumping into a burning Yagya Kund. The temple celebrates the annual Mahashivratri festival with a lot of enthusiasm each year. During this festival, there is a mela or a fair set up around the temple where one can enjoy family and friends to the heart. The temple is overcrowded with devotees from both nearby and distant places during the festival of Mahashivratri. On that day, anyone who is in the city during this time will certainly visit the temple.
- Distance from City Centre – 2 kilometres
- Visiting Hours – 05:00 AM – 09:00 AM
- Time to Explore the Virbhadra Temple – 1 Hour
- Entry Fee – No Entry Fee
Bharat Mandir
Bharat Mandir is an ancient temple of Lord Hrishikesh Narayan, situated in the heart of Uttarakhand’s Rishikesh District. It is believed that this temple is very old and is the most sacred temple in the region. In 789 AD, the great Hindu saint Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya reinstated the idol of the presiding deity in the temple at Basant Panchmi.
A symbolic re-installation is now followed in the temple every year at Basant Panchmi. Shaligram is taken to nearby Mayakund for a holy bath on this day, and then a grand procession is arranged to carry the idol back to the temple.
In several Hindu scripts and epics, such as Mahabharat, Vishnu puran, Shrimadbhagwat, Vaman Puran and Narsingh Puran, Bharat Temple also finds its name. Legends thought that if on the day of Akshya Tritiya one takes 108 rounds of Lord Shri Hrishikesh and seeks blessing at the uncovered feet of the Lord, then all wishes will be fulfilled. It is also similar to Badrinath Dham ‘s holy pilgrimage. As only the Akshya Tritiya lord’s feet are exposed, this practise becomes more important.
- Distance from City Centre – 2 kilometres
- Visiting Hours – All days of the week in the following time slots – 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM as well as 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Time to Explore the Bharat Mandir – 1 to 2 Hours
- Entry Fee – No Entry Fee
Raghunath Temple
The Hindu temple at Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh is Raghunath Mandir. Lord Ram is dedicated to Raghunath Mandir. There is also a small water reservoir (Kund) on the front side of the temple, known as Rishikund. Lord Ram came here, according to legend. Lord Ram was Lord Vishnu’s incarnation. Here, too, Sage Kubj meditated and asked the Yamuna River to come. According to legends, the small water reservoir opposite the temple is the same location where the Yamuna river water emerges. There’s a small market surrounding the temple. Restaurants, suits, watches, and you can buy so many other items. Just in front of the temple is the famous Triveni Ghat.
- Distance from City Centre – 3 kilometres
- Visiting Hours – 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM on all the days of the week
- Time to Explore the Raghunath Temple – 1 to 2 Hours
- Entry Fee – No Entry Fee
Shatrughna Temple
The Temple of Shatrughna is a famous ancient temple situated in Rishikesh. This temple is located near Ram Jhula on the banks of the holy Ganges river. One of the temples dedicated to Shatrughna is this temple.
Shatrughna was Lord Rama’s youngest child, who was one of the four sons of King Dasharatha and was born to Sumitra, the third wife of the king. In his honour, the name of that temple was called the Temple of Shatrughna.
Shatrughna means ‘Enemy destroyer’. The religious importance of this temple is great. Tourists visit this sacred ancient temple of Darshan during their visit. Tourists visit this holy temple on a trip to Rishikesh. One of the major religious centres of interest in Rishikesh is the Shatrughna Temple.
- Distance from City Centre – 5 kilometres
- Visiting Hours – During the day time
- Time to Explore the Shatrughna Temple – 1 to 2 Hours
- Entry Fee – No Entry Fee