Situated close to the foot of the great Himalayan Mountains in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, Rishikesh is 7th biggest city in India. Also known as the “Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas” Rishikesh is a well-known tourist destination and a major religious hub for the Hindus.
Rishikesh is known for being a destination that offers spiritual attractions but allows its visitor to take a breath of fresh air in the midst of nature. If you are also a religious person and planning a trip to this holy land then do not miss out on visiting these ancient temples in Rishikesh:
Shatrughna Temple
One of the most popular temples of Rishikesh, Shatrughna Temple has a lot to offer to those travelers who wish to seek all the peace and calm of this world. Here in Shatrughna temple, aside from worshipping one can also practice yoga session and have a relaxing time in the premise of this temple. This temple along with the Temple of Thrissur district of Kerala was built for the worshippers of the younger brother of Lord Ram. For someone who is looking for a holistic journey this temple is the ideal place to start off, it is only 4 kilometers distance away from the main railway station of Rishikesh.
Bharat Mandir
Along with a lot of well-known temples and other tourist attractions in Rishikesh, Shri Bharat Mandir is also a great destination to visit in Rishikesh. Adi Guru Shankaracharya founded this ancient temple back in the 12th century, it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. During the excavation of this temple some extremely old pots, ancient coins, and a lot of different ancient statues were yielded from this site. Due to all this, Shri Bharat Temple gives an ideal blend between aesthetical and architectural values, if you are in your Rishikesh then do not forget to visit this temple.
Kunjapuri Devi Temple
For someone who wishes to explore the ancient Hindu religion and its importance in great detail then Kunjapuri Devi temple is the ideal place for them. It is located only at a distance of 25 kilometers from the main railway station of Rishikesh, which is only an hour away if you take a taxi or bus. It will only take about 2 hours to thoroughly explore this temple, so even if you are short on time in your trip you can visit this destination. If you want to explore this temple at its best then consider visiting it during the time of Navratri and Dussehra, during these festivals the whole temple is decorated with lights and a lot of individuals gather here for a grand celebration.
Trayambakeshwar Temple or 13 Manjil
Build as a house for the great Lord Shiva, Trayambakeshwar temple is known to be the most famous holy shrine of Rishikesh. It is also known as the Tera Manzil Temple. This 13 storied temple is filled with many beautiful architectural designs on its walls and its brilliant idols. The Trayambakeshwar Temple is said to be 400 years old, so those who wish to explore the beauty of ancient architectural design must visit this temple in their Rishikesh trip.
Raghunath Temple
Located at the Ghats of Triveni, Rishikesh, the Raghunath temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. There is a small local market around the temple so that travelers not only get to explore the temple but they can also get some great souvenir such as crafted ornaments, holistic statues, and a lot more. You can also explore a small water reservoir called Rishikund which is located right in front of Raghunath temple.
Virbhadra Temple
Located in the town of Virbhadra which is located near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, here night long Jagran and pujas are held during the occasion of Sawaan and Shivratri. A huge carnival is also prepared during the Mahashivratri festival.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
This temple is also well known among the followers of Lord Shiva. Here Lord Shiva is worshipped as the NeelKanth Mahadev, who was the reincarnation of Shiva with bluish throat feature. Legends said that Lord Shiva once drank the poison of Samudramanthan and collected the entire poison in his throat which later becomes bluish. The Neelkanth Mahadev temple is the place where he drank the poison.
Bhootnath Temple
The Bhoothnath temple is also dedicated in the memories of Lord Shiva, a lot of religious people believe that Lord Shiva in this very destination rested during the time when he decided to marry Sati. This destination is usually filled with seclusion and silence in the middle of nature as it is not yet explored by the explorers to its complete potential. If you are on your family trip or traveling with friends then the Bhootnath Temple is one of the best temples to explore in Rishikesh.
So, these are our picks for 8 must visit temples in Rishikesh, make sure to explore them thoroughly in your trip to the holy land of Rishikesh.