Neelkanth Mahadev Temple - A Famous Religious Tourist Place in Rishikesh Uttarakhand

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Rishikesh Uttarakhand

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a famous religious tourist place to visit in Rishikesh. It is among the top famous temples the Lord Shiva temple which shows their very famous Neelkanth form. 

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is situated in the Valley of Manikoot Mountain. For reaching there you will get the transport facility from the Laxman Jhula. It is about 30 km from Laxman Jhula. It is situated at an altitude of 1675 meters from sea level.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Campus

Temple is surrounded by the green dense forest which looks so beautiful. It is situated in the middle of the valleys of Manikoot, Brahmakoot, and Vishnukoot. Nar-Narayan mountain ranges are near the temple.

You can also see the confluence of the Pankaja and Madhumati rivers here. At the Neelkanth Mahadev temple, there is a natural waterfall also. Devotees take a holy bath here.

History of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

As per Hindu mythology, Neelkanth Mahadev temple is very old and related to the legend of the Samudra Manthan. Once Gods and Demons decided to churn to the ocean for getting Amrit (nectar).

During the churning of the ocean, they get many things such as Goddess Laxmi, Kalpvriskh, Kaamdhenu, etc. They divided these items among themselves. But when the poison emerges, no to ready to take poison.

Then both Gods and Demons decided to go to Lord Shiva for the solution. Lord Shiva decided to take this poison for world welfare. Lord Shiva drank the poison but stopped it at their throat. So due to the effect of poison Lord Shiva's throat turned blue in color.

After this Lord Shiva famous as Neelkanth Mahadev. The place where Lord Shiva had drunk poison at that time, that place is now popular as Neelkanth Mahadev temple.

Architecture of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Akhand Dhuna in the temple

Neelkhanth Mahadev temple's beautiful architecture looks like south Indian temples. You can see on the temple Samudra Manthan's storytelling statues. On the walls of the temple, you can see the depicted story. There are statues of Dwarpals on the main gate of the temple.

Inside the temple, there are other Gods' statues also established such as Lord Ganesh, the statue of Kapil Muni, etc. Inside the temple campus, there is an Akhand Dhuna, where devotees burn Dhoop or Agarbatti.

Best Time to Visit Neelkanth Temple

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple can be visited anytime but due to its location and time taking in the journey, I will suggest you go there in the early morning then you will get Lord Shiva Shivling Darshan in the morning period.

As per climate, you can go there from February to April months. It is a good time for trekkers who go temple by trekking. As per festivals, you can go during Mahashivratri when there is a very huge fair organized for the devotees. During Maha Shivratri going to the Shiv temple is very good as per Hindu religion.

During Maha Shivratri and Shravan month there will be a crowd so you did not get Darshan easily. Except for this period you can easily get Dharan of Shivling in the year.

Timing of  Neelkanth Temple

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple opens daily. So you can reach there any day for Lord Shiva's visit. The temple opens early morning and closed in the evening. The temple timing is from morning 05:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.

Visiting Time Duration 

Temple visiting duration depends on you. If you go temple by trekking then you will be reached at the temple in 4 hours. So for complete going and coming back after visiting the temple by trekking takes your whole day. If you use a private vehicle or own vehicle then only 3-4 hours is sufficient.

Fair at Neelkanth Mahadev

The most famous festival of the Neelkanth Mahadev temple is organized during the Mahashivratri festival. Temple is heavily crowded during this time and very long ques of devotees for the worship of Shivling.

During July- August when the Shravan month of the Hindu calendar start temple also decorated beautifully. During Shravan month lots of Kawandis come to Neelkhanth Mahadev temple for offering Ganga water, milk, bell leaf, coconut, flowers, etc. on the Shivling.

Facilities at Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

• There are many shops for Prasad, religious items, and many other things.
• There are many shops for snacks and food items.
• There is a Police post in front of the temple so in an emergency you can contact them immediately.
• Washroom, drinking water, etc. all the facilities available here.
• Parking space is available on roadsides but there is no parking stand for the vehicles.
• Temple has CCTV facilities so no one can do the wrong things here.

How to Reach Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Rishikesh Bus Stand

Rishikesh is well connected by railway and roadways. The nearest main railway station is Haridwar which is about 25 km away from Rishikesh. Rishikesh has also a railway station but mainly passenger trains are run there. Maximum trains come to Rishikesh via Haridwar. From Haridwar, Rishikesh is only a half-hour journey.

Rishikesh is connected by other cities via national highway 58. Rishikesh is a hilly area but it is well connected by the government roadways buses and by private transport buses. You will get here buses for popular Char Dham Pilgrim places. From New Delhi, it is only a 6-hour journey by bus.

The nearest airport for Rishikesh is Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun which is about 35 km far away from the Rishikesh. You will get flights for Dehradun from New Delhi and Lucknow also. 

There are many ways to reach the Neelkanth Mahadev temple from the Rishikesh. The popular way is from the Laxman Jhula taxi stand. Here you can get a private taxi or a shared taxi both.

If you take a private taxi then you have to pay 1100 Rs for going to the temple and coming back to the taxi stand. If you take a shared taxi then only 150 Rs will be charged for both going to the temple and coming back to the taxi stand.

Many devotees go to the temple by trekking. The way of the temple is surrounded by green lushed hills with rivers.

By trekking, you will reach the temple in about 4 hours from Rishikesh. You can go to the temple by your own vehicle but you must have the experience to drive your vehicle in the mountains.

TouristBug’s Recommendations

• There is no place to keep your valuable items at the temple campus so carry them with you.
• Remove your slippers or shoes at the Prasad shops where you take Prasad.
• If you are going in your own vehicle then you should have a good experience of driving on hills.
• If you want to take a bath in the temple's waterfall then you should keep one set of clothes.
• Photography is allowed in the temple but not at the main place of the temple where Shivlinga established. So you can enjoy photography.
• Monkeys are present in the temple campus and outside of the temple area, so beware of them.
• If you are going to visit this temple by trekking then keep essentials in your bag and wear comfortable sports shoes having a good grip.

Nearby Places to Visit in Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a religious town of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. There are lots of tourist places to visit in Rishikesh. Rishikesh is mostly famous for the Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula. Mostly temples and Ganga Ghats are there in Rishikesh such as Triveni Ghat, Bharat Mandir, Tera Manzil Temple, Swarg Ashram, etc. Travelers or tourists can visit the Har Ki Pauri of Haridwar, Dehradun tourist places, which are the nearest places to visit from Rishikesh.