August 6, 2024
Uttarakhand has long been one of the most preferred tourist destinations in the country. But interestingly, it is not just the state’s natural beauty and charm that attract these tourists. It is also the famous temples in Rishikesh that play a very important role in boosting the state’s tourism sector.
These temples are some of the greatest Rishikesh tourism places and have their unique shapes and sizes, they also say a story that enriches the entire experience. So it is no surprise that the city attracts many spiritual tourists of all ages from all over the country.
Here, we will explore the list of some of the best temples in Rishikesh that you need to check out on your next visit.
When most people hear the name, Shatrughna Temple, they think of one in the Thrissur district of Kerala. But wait, we also have one in the holy city of Rishikesh, just by the banks of the holy river Ganga. The ancient temple is conveniently located just 4 km away from the Rishikesh Railway Station and right along the Ram Jhula.
It is one of the few temples constructed as a dedication to the younger brother of Lord Ram, along with the other located in Kerala. Not many know this, but the Shatrughna Temple is one of the two dedicated to the youngest brother of Lord Ram, who is known as Shatrughna. Legends say that Shatrughna killed the great demon Lavanasura, the then-king of Mathura and Ravana's nephew.
The Shatrughna Temple is one of the most famous temples in Rishikesh due to its convenient location and proximity to the river banks. Besides that, the fact that it is just one of the two temples of its kind also adds to the shrine’s charm.
The Shri Bharat Mandir is one of the oldest temples to visit in Rishikesh, located just in the city's heart. Legend says that the history of this temple is the history of the city of Rishikesh itself since the Raibhya rishi practised his penance at this place. It is also said that the Hindu saint Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya reinstalled the presiding deity in 789 CE.
There’s much to see and explore at the Shri Bharat Mandir, but the old entangled trees are the biggest draws. These trees are significant in Hindu mythology and are believed to have been alive for over two and a half centuries. There is also a new museum built in the temple’s vicinity, showcasing pottery, sculptures, and highly decorated bricks.
Reaching the Shri Bharat Mandir is as convenient as it gets since it is located right in the heart of the city. You can easily find a shared vehicle around the city to reach the temple. But if you are coming from outside the state, you must first reach the Rishikesh Railway Station, located 2 km away, or the Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun, located 19 km away.
The next must-visit temple in Rishikesh is the Kunjapuri Devi Temple, best known for its immense importance to the Hindu religion. The temple is located at 1676 metres on top of a hill, making it the ideal spot for getting the perfect view of snow-capped mountains and peaks. These peaks include famous names like the Gangotri, Chaukhamba, Swarga Rohini, and Banderpunch.
There is no denying that the temples have played a very important role in shaping this city making it one of the best places to visit in India with family. The atmosphere at the Kunjapuri Devi Temple is truly different during the festive seasons of Dussehra and Navaratri. This is the time of the year when the temple receives devotees from around the country. This is no surprise, considering the temple completes the triangle of three Siddha Peeths on top of the mountains in the Tehri Garhwal district.
In order to reach the Kunjapuri Devi Temple, you will need to climb about 80 steep steps from the road. It is located at a distance of 25 km from Rishikesh and 8 km from Narendra Nagar. The airport nearest Kunjapuri Devi Temple is the Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, 39 km away, while the Rishikesh Railway Station is 25 km away from the temple.
The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is another famous temple in Rishikesh, nestled between three valleys: Manikoot, Vishnukoot, and Brahmakoot. This makes a unique religious place where you get the confluence of two perennial rivers, Madhumati and Pankaja.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is also one of the most popular temples of Lord Shiva. Legends say that this is the place where Shiva consumed the poison from the ocean and placed it in his throat. This turned Shiva’s throat blue, which gave the temple its name, Neelkanth Rishikesh.
The NeelkanthTemple in Rishikesh also stands out with its appealing architecture with the walls depicting mythological tales. The inner complex of the temple is another draw with its unique aesthetics. You will also see a large Peepal tree where devotees tie sacred threads to make wishes.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is about 32 km away from Rishikesh, but the temple is well connected, and reaching it by road is as easy as it gets. The nearest railway station to the temple is the Rishikesh Railway Station, located 32 km away, and the nearest airport, the Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, is 49 km away from the temple.
The Bhootnath Temple in Rishikesh is a popular temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. This unique temple is in the Swargasharm area, right behind the Parmath Niketan Ashram. It is said that the Bhootnath Temple was where lord Shiva was resting while planning to marry his wife, Sati.
The temple has multiple floors, with the main temple on the top, where you can enjoy an amazing panoramic view of Rishikesh. But the temple exploration does not just end here because you must enjoy the 800-metre-long walk behind Parmath Niketan Ashram and enjoy spirituality in its true sense.
But what’s unique about this Rishikesh Shiva temple is its quiet ambience. Unlike most other temples in the region, the Bhootnath Temple does get much footfall, making it the perfect place to reconnect to your spiritual roots. You can easily locate the temple from the Swargashram areas since its structure is easily visible from these areas.
The Bhootnath Temple is nestled between the Rajaji National Park on every three sides. Reaching the temple is convenient as you can walk about 1.9 km from the Ram Jhula Parking. The nearest railway station to the temple is the Rishikesh Railway Station, and the nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun.
The Raghunath Temple is one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand, right in the heart of Rishikesh. The temple is best known for the Rishikund, which is believed to be a sacred tank. Locals believe that this tank or Rishikund is the connection to the divine since lord Rama used the kund for his ritualistic bath.
Another draw of the Raghunath Temple is the Triveni Ghat, famous for the evening Arati on the banks of the holy river Ganga. Here, you will see the true sense of spirituality with holy chants and well-lit lamps flowing through the river waters. The best part is that you can easily access the temple via any private or hired vehicle from the parking near the Ghat.
But if you are coming from outside Uttarakhand to visit this famous Rishikesh mandir, you can reach it by air, train, or road. The Rishikesh Railways Station is the nearest railway station and is well-connected to the nearest major cities. You can also reach the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 21 km away from Rishikesh, by air.
The next on the list of famous temples in Rishikesh is the Trayambakeshwar Temple. The locals believe Adi Shankaracharya built it between the 8th and 9th century CE. Trayambakeshwar Temple is well known for its Shiva temple and the stellar scenic view of the Rishikesh city and the holy river Ganga.
The Rishikesh Jyotirlinga has thirteen floors and houses numerous mini temples that serve as chambers for local priests who offer their religious and spiritual services. The Shiva temple is located on the top floor, from where you get a spiritual touch and an amazing view of the mountains. The Trayambakeshwar Temple receives a heavy footfall of devotees during the Hindu festival Mahashivratri and Mondays on the auspicious month of Shravan.
The Trayambakeshwar Temple is located near the famous Lakshman Jhula and holds the title of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Moreover, this holy temple is also a part of the Chardham yatra of Uttrakhand. Thanks to the temple’s ideal location, reaching is barely a concern since you can simply walk from the Lakshman Jhula and reach there in a few minutes.
The Lakshman Temple is one of the most famous ancient Rishikesh Haridwar temples located right along the banks of the river Ganga. There is no denying that this temple has a lot of attractions, but its ancient paintings and sculptures on the walls make it a must-visit place in the city.
What makes the Lakshman Temple so significant for Hindus is the beliefs rooted in the mythology. Legends say that this was the place where Lakshman, the younger brother of lord Ram, had meditated here to seek his spiritual enlightenment. Some believe that Lord Ram and his brother built a jute bridge to cross the river, leading to the rise of the now-popular Lakshman Jhula.
This makes it one of the best places to visit in Rishikesh and connect with your spiritual self. The temple is conveniently located near the Lakshman Jhula road in the Tapovan, Rishikesh. You can easily get a hired transportation to take you to the temple from the Rishikesh bus stand. You can reach the bus stand from the Rishikesh Railway Station or the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 23 km away.
If you are a fan of yoga, then you cannot and must not leave without visiting the Parmarth Niketan. This is one of the largest yoga centres and one of the biggest ashrams in the area, located right on the banks of the holy river Ganga. The Ashram is a must-have addition to your Rishikesh tour packages and was founded by Swami Sukhdevanand Saraswati in 1942.
The best part about Parmarth Niketan is that it is open to one and all, regardless of gender, race, religion, caste, nationality, or creed. The Ashram is very famous for its Hawan on the Ghat of Parmarth, followed by the Ganga Aarti, which takes place every day in the morning and the evening. These unique characteristics and rituals make Parmarth Niketan one of the most peaceful and relaxing Rishikesh tourist places.
However, the uniqueness of this Ashram does not end here; it also has a school that follows the traditional Indian education patterns. Many even visit the Ashram to seek Ayurvedic treatment, which makes it one of the best places to stay in Rishikesh.
The Parmarth Niketan ashram is located very conveniently just 500 meters away from the Ram Jhula, so you can reach it while taking a cool walk. Besides that, Parmarth Niketan is 30 km from Haridwar and about 20 km from the Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. If you are visiting Rishikesh anytime soon, then a visit to this Ashram should be at the top of your list of things to do in Rishikesh.
The Hanuman Mandir is another famous temple in Rishikesh, mainly due to its amazing location. The temple was built by Swami Ramdas, alias Oriya Baba, in 1924 and is located at the Maya Kund. You will see a heavy footfall of devotees to the temple every Tuesday, which, according to Hindu beliefs, is the day set to worship lord Hanuman.
This is one of the most famous temples in Rishikesh and amongst the few temples dedicated to worshipping Lord Hanuman and is located right on top of a hill. This alone is reason enough for you to visit the Hanuman Mandir and enjoy the view of nature while getting spiritual relief. The climate on the Hanuman Mandir is as cool as it gets, and the overall scenic view from the top of the hill makes it the perfect location.
This Rishikesh mandir is located about 6 km from the city and is considered one of the most important for different reasons. Every year, you will witness devotees flooding from different parts of the country to be a part of the special Bhandara. You can even reach the temple from the Rishikesh Railway Station and the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun.
Rishikesh is one of the holiest cities, and you cannot leave this holy place without visiting all the beautiful temples in Rishikesh. This city is a must-have addition to your Uttarakhand tour packages for its temples, amazing climate, and, more importantly, its people.
So, if you want to experience Uttrakhand's true beauty and seek your blessing from the mighty Rishikesh Jyotirlinga, think no further and reach out to Trip Planners India today. We will curate the best tour package in India that lets you enjoy the amazing locations of Rishikesh. Our innovative and unique packages will ensure you do not miss out on anything and leave with amazing memories.
