Famous Temples in Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a peaceful town in Uttarakhand, located near the holy Ganges River. This region is well-known for its temple tourism. People from all over the world visit here for inner peace and blessings. Apart from this, many saints and sages have visited and lived in this place for years.

There are many famous temples in Rishikesh that visitors should explore. Each temple has its own charm and spiritual importance. Travelers can enjoy beautiful surroundings along with the temples’ history and spiritual atmosphere. This travel guide will provide all the information about these holy places to make your journey memorable and meaningful.

1. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple-

It is the most popular holy temple in Rishikesh, dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is also called Neelkanth. It is the place where Lord Shiva consumed the poison that came from the ocean when the Gods and Demons were churning it to get Amrita. It is the oldest temple in Rishikesh and located on a hill, where visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the dense forests and mountains.

• Timings- Open every day from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Time Required- 1 Hour
• Entry Fee- No Entry Fee

2. Kunjapuri Devi Temple-

Kunjapuri Devi Temple is a very important and sacred temple in Hinduism, located 1676 meters above sea level. This temple is a part of the 52 Shaktipeeths and it is the place where the Sati’s chest fell after she burned herself. Tourists can also enjoy here scenic views of snow-covered mountains and popular peaks like Swargarohini, Gangotri, Bandarpunch, and Chaukhamba.

• Timings- Open 24 Hours
• Time Required- 1 to 2 Hours
• Entry Fee- Free

3. Bharat Mandir-

It is another famous temple of Rishikesh. This temple was founded in the 12th century by Adiguru Shankaracharya. Inside, there is an idol of Lord Vishnu, made from a single piece of Shaligram stone. The original temple was destroyed by Timur but was rebuilt on the same site. Archaeologists have found old items here like ancient pots, statues, and coins. This temple is beautiful because of its unique traditional design and is something people should not miss while visiting Rishikesh.

• Timings- Open every day from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Time Required- 1 to 2 Hours
• Entry Fee- No Entry Fee

4. Raghunath Temple-

This temple is also a great place to visit, dedicated to Lord Ram and his wife, Mata Sita. Inside the temple, there is a small pond named Rishi Kund. It is a natural hot water spring and people believe that the River Yamuna made the water sacred by blessing it. Locals also believe that Lord Rama took a bath in this Kund when he was in exile (Vanvaas). Make sure to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Kund on your tour. You can also explore the market near the temple.

• Timings- 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Open every day)
• Time Required- 1 to 2 Hours
• Entry Fee- No Charges

5. Trimbakeshwar Temple-

It is one of the positive place that visitors should not miss. It is also called Tera Manzil Temple. There are 13 floors in the temple and it is located close to the River Ganga. This temple is also known for its beautiful design and travelers can also see the stunning view of the surroundings from the top floor, which gives a unique experience.

• Timings- 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM (Open every day)
• Time Required- 1 Hour
• Entry Fee- No Charges

6. Virbhadra Temple-

This is another popular temple to explore. Veerabhadra temple, which is around 13 years old and is dedicated to the powerful avatar of Lord Shiva. Mahadev took this form because his wife Devi Sati, sacrificed her life by jumping into a burning Yagya Kund. Every year, Mahashivratri is celebrated here, and during the festival, a fair is held around the temple. Many people visit with their family and friends.

• Timings- 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Time Required- 1 Hour
• Entry Fee- Free

7. Bhootnath Temple -

This temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is another important place to visit in Rishikesh. It is believed that Lord Shiva rested here when he was traveling to marry Mata Sati. This location is peaceful and surrounded by a lots of greenery. It is less crowded because few tourists know about it. Therefore, visit this temple to meditate, relax and connect with nature.

• Timings- 7:30 AM to 5 PM
• Time Required- 1 to 2 Hours
• Entry Fee- No Entry Fee

8. Shatrughna Temple-

Those who are looking for peace should visit the Shatrughna Temple. It is not only for worship purposes but people can also practice yoga in the temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Ram’s younger brother and is located near Ram Jhula. The temple is special because there are not many temples in the country dedicated to Lord Lakshman.

• Timings- 6 AM to 8:30 PM
• Time Required- 1 to 2 Hours
• Entry Fee- No Entry Fee