Complete Guide to Temples in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is more than a yoga city — it is a place of profound Hindu pilgrimage. The Ganga's emergence from the mountains here is considered sacred, and the surrounding hills are dotted with temples that have drawn devotees for centuries. Many pilgrims beginning the Char Dham Yatra (to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri) stop in Rishikesh to pray before proceeding into the high Himalayas.
For visitors, the temples of Rishikesh offer not just spiritual encounter but some of the most dramatic architectural and landscape settings in the region — a 13-storey temple on a suspension bridge, a Shiva temple at 1,330m altitude surrounded by dense forest, a hilltop sunrise shrine at 1,676m with 360-degree Himalayan views.
Trayambakeshwar Temple (Laxman Jhula, East Bank)
The most visually striking temple in Rishikesh, the 13-storey Trayambakeshwar (also spelled Trimbakeshwar) temple rises from the east bank of the Ganga directly adjacent to the Laxman Jhula suspension bridge. Each of the 13 floors contains images of different deities from the Hindu pantheon. The rooftop commands a superb view of the bridge, the river and the forested hills on both banks.
Despite its photogenic prominence, the Trayambakeshwar temple at Laxman Jhula should not be confused with the original and much more ancient Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga in Nashik, Maharashtra. This Rishikesh temple is a multi-storey modern temple (20th century) dedicated to Shiva, built to accommodate both the resident deity and the many floors of shrines.
Visiting: Enter from the east bank approach to Laxman Jhula. No entry fee. Timings approximately 6 AM–9 PM. Remove footwear at the entrance. The climb through the floors gives views from increasing height — the top floors offer the best photography of the Laxman Jhula bridge from above.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple (32 km from Rishikesh)
The most important temple in the Rishikesh region, Neelkanth Mahadev is a Shiva temple set in dense forest at 1,330m altitude, 32 km from Rishikesh by road through the Rajaji National Park forest. The name "Neelkanth" (Blue Throat) refers to the episode in Hindu mythology when Shiva drank the poison (halahala) that emerged from the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan), holding it in his throat which turned blue — saving the world. The remote forest location of this temple is said to be the very place where Shiva sat after consuming the poison.
The temple itself, built over a sacred spring (kund), is approached through a forested path lined with shops selling puja items, rudraksha beads and prasad. Inside the sanctum is a naturally formed Shivalinga (not man-made) revered as deeply sacred. The mountain forest setting gives the temple an atmosphere of genuine remoteness and power, despite being accessible by road.
Practical information: Open 6 AM–7:30 PM. No entry fee (puja items ₹50–₂₀₀ from shops outside). The road from Rishikesh passes through Rajaji National Park — drive carefully for wildlife. Shared jeeps from Laxman Jhula ₹80–₁₂₀/seat. Private taxi ₹600–₁,000. Best visited early morning to avoid afternoon crowds. The road is narrow and winding — allow 1.5–2 hours each way from Rishikesh. Popular on Mondays (Shiva's day) and during Shravan month (July–August) when thousands of Kanwariyas (Shiva devotees carrying Ganga water) undertake the pilgrimage on foot.
Kunjapuri Devi Temple (25 km from Rishikesh)
Perched at 1,676m altitude, 25 km from Rishikesh, Kunjapuri is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas — sacred sites where parts of the goddess Sati's body are said to have fallen after her death. It is dedicated to the goddess Kunjapuri Devi. The temple itself is modest in size but the location is extraordinary: on a clear day, the panorama encompasses the entire Garhwal Himalayan range including peaks like Chaukhamba, Bandarpoonch, Srikantha and Gangotri massifs, as well as the plains below stretching to Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Sunrise visit: Kunjapuri is best known as a sunrise viewpoint. Leave Rishikesh by 4:30–5 AM for the 1-hour drive (the last section is a short steep climb of approximately 100 steps). Sunrise from the Kunjapuri ridge is one of the finest Himalayan panoramas accessible by road in Uttarakhand — the snow-covered peaks glow pink and orange in the first light. It is a popular camping spot: some operators run overnight camping at Kunjapuri specifically for the sunrise.
Practical information: No entry fee. Taxi from Rishikesh approximately ₹700–₁,000 return. The final 100m is steep steps — manageable for most fitness levels. Open from before sunrise. The goddess Kunjapuri is also considered the presiding deity over the region — local pilgrims visit throughout the day.
Bharat Mandir (Rishikesh City Centre)
Considered the oldest temple in Rishikesh, Bharat Mandir is a Vishnu temple believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century Hindu philosopher who reorganised Hindu monasticism. The presiding deity is Lord Hrishikesh (Vishnu), from whom Rishikesh takes its name. The current temple structure was rebuilt by the Garhwal Kings in the medieval period.
Bharat Mandir is located in the commercial area of Rishikesh — accessible by auto-rickshaw from the bus stand. Less visited by Western tourists (who tend to stay in the Laxman Jhula area), it is a genuine neighbourhood pilgrimage temple. The annual Vasant Panchami fair (February) and Navratri celebrations at Bharat Mandir draw large local crowds.
Other Notable Temples
- Gita Bhawan / Swarg Ashram complex (East bank, between Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula): A complex of multiple temples, dharamshalas and ghats. The Gita Bhawan building is famous for its exterior walls painted with scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana — essentially a free open-air religious museum.
- Ramjhula Bridge temples: Both sides of Ram Jhula have clusters of small temples. The west bank has a long row of Shiva lingas at Shivananda Ghat level.
- Raghunath Temple (Rishikesh market area): A Ram temple in the central Rishikesh market, active during festivals.
- Shatrughan Mandir (near Laxman Jhula): On the west bank, a temple dedicated to Shatrughan, the youngest of the four sons of King Dasharatha in the Ramayana.
Temple Etiquette
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Footwear | Remove before entering the temple premises (not just the inner sanctum) |
| Dress | Cover shoulders and knees. Women should carry a dupatta/shawl |
| Photography | Generally not permitted inside the inner sanctum (garbha griha). Ask before photographing priests or rituals |
| Leather | Some traditional temples request no leather goods inside |
| Mobile phones | Switch to silent mode. Calls inside the temple are disrespectful |
| Offerings | Flowers, incense, coconut and sweets are standard offerings (available from shops outside) |
How to Reach Rishikesh
239 km from Delhi (5–6 hrs), 24 km from Haridwar (45 min). Nearest airport: Jolly Grant (DED), 35 km. Trayambakeshwar is a 10-minute walk from Laxman Jhula bus stop. Neelkanth requires a taxi (₹600–₁,000 return) or shared jeep from Laxman Jhula. Kunjapuri requires a separate taxi (₹700–₁,000 return). See Rishikesh overview.
Budget, Hotels & Travel Tips
- Combine Neelkanth and Kunjapuri in one full-day outing: start with Kunjapuri at sunrise, descend and head to Neelkanth Mahadev by mid-morning — most taxi drivers will arrange this circuit for ₹1,200–₁,800 total
- Monday is Shiva's day (Somvar) — Neelkanth Mahadev is significantly more crowded; visit on other days for a quieter experience
- Carry cash for taxi and shared jeep fares; ATMs are available near Laxman Jhula market
FAQs
- Which is the most important temple in Rishikesh?
- Neelkanth Mahadev is the most important pilgrimage temple in the Rishikesh region — a major Shiva site with deep mythological significance. Within Rishikesh city, Bharat Mandir is the oldest and most historically significant. Trayambakeshwar at Laxman Jhula is the most photographed.
- Is there an entry fee for temples in Rishikesh?
- Most temples in Rishikesh have no entry fee. Neelkanth Mahadev is free. Kunjapuri Devi temple is free. Trayambakeshwar is free. You may spend money on puja items (flowers, prasad, coconut) from shops outside temples — this is a voluntary offering, not an entry charge.
- Can foreigners visit Hindu temples in Rishikesh?
- Yes. All the temples mentioned in this guide welcome visitors of all faiths and nationalities. There is no restriction on non-Hindus entering. The expected behaviour is the same — remove footwear, dress modestly, maintain respectful silence in the inner sanctum.
- When is the best time to visit Neelkanth Mahadev temple?
- Early morning (6–9 AM) before the afternoon crowds. Avoid Mondays and Shravan month (July–August) if you want a quieter visit. Morning visits also give the best chance of seeing the forest road in good light and occasionally wildlife in Rajaji National Park.