Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located near Rishikesh City in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India. The temple is situated at a height of 1675 meters, on a hill above Swarga Ashram. It stands adjacent to the mountain ranges of Nar-Narayan. The 12 Km stretch from Swarga Ashram to Neelkanth is also an ideal place for trekkers.

                            

Legends

According to Hindu mythology, the place where the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple currently stands is the sacred location where Lord Shiva consumed the poison that originated from the sea when Devas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) churned the ocean in order to obtain Amrita. This poison that emanated during the Samudramanthan (churning of ocean) made his throat blue in color. Thus, Lord Shiva is also known as Neelkanth, literally meaning The Blue Throated One.

The Temple

The temple is situated at a height of 1675 meters on a hill above Swarga Ashram. The temple is surrounded by dense forests and is adjacent to the mountain ranges of Nar-Narayan. It is enveloped between the valleys of Manikoot, Brahmakoot and Vishnukoot and is located at the confluence of the rivers Pankaja and Madhumati. The Temple tower follows Dravidian style architecture.

Stucco images of Samudra Manthan (churning of milky ocean) can be found at the entrance. Presiding Deity is called as Neelkanth Mahadev. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Linga. The temple complex also has a natural spring where devotees usually take a holy bath before entering the premises of surrounded by dense forests.

Festivals

The temple observes two fairs that are held annually on the occasions of Maha Shivrathri (Feb-Mar) and Shivrathri of Shraavana (month of Hindu calendar) (July-Aug) during which the devotees trek from Haridwar to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 26 Kms from Rishikesh Bus Stand, 27 Kms from Rishikesh Railway Station, 29 Kms from Rishikesh, 44 Kms from Dehradun Airport, 56 Kms from Haridwar and 271 Kms from New Delhi Airport. Rishikesh is well connected with all major north Indian cities like Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida via bus. 

Location