CategoriesGujarat By Akash Bharti

10 Famous Temples to Visit on a Temple Tour in Rishikesh

Popular Temples in Rishikesh Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, also lovingly referred to as the “land of the gods”, is home to one of the best spiritual getaways in the world. With dense forests, riveting Ganga, and the perfect view of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is one of Uttarakhand’s prized possessions. A popular religious destination in the country, Rishikesh is dotted with numerous temples, shrines, and ashrams, allowing visitors who come in search of peace, a promising time.

Ancient temples, with some of them built even centuries ago, Rishikesh makes for the perfect destination for a temple tour. Temples in Rishikesh are more than just places of worship, but exist with their own set of legends and mysteries that make these some of the popular tourist attractions as well. A holy town, Rishikesh and its religious destinations offer a one-of-a-kind experience for the visitors, from rituals that praise the sacred river that flows through the town, to performing a calming yoga session with the backdrop of the high Himalayas. A spiritual land that stands truly blessed by the gods, there are a plethora of things to do and places to explore in Rishikesh.

As you read along you will know more about some of the most famous temples that we recommend you must visit in Rishikesh, and make your sightseeing experience of the holy town the most blessed one.

Popular Hindu Temples to Visit in Uttarakhand’s Rishikesh include:

  • Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
  • Raghunath Temple
  • Trayambakeshwar Temple
  • Bhootnath Temple
  • Bharat Mandir
  • Virbhadra Temple
  • Kunjapuri Devi Temple
  • Lakshman Temple
  • Geeta Bhawan
  • Parmarth Niketan

Top Recommended Tour Packages for Rishikesh Sightseeing Tour

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple- A Result of the Great Samudramanthan

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Rishikesh

Rishikesh’s Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is among its most famous temples, seeing visits by devotees from across the country. Worshiping Lord Shiva, the temple is built in the Dravidian style of temple architecture and lies nestled among the luscious forests of Rishikesh. A popular belief that surrounds the temple is that it is built at the site where Lord Shiva drank the poison that was churned out during the event of the Samudramanthan, making the temple even more significant.

Among the must visit ancient temples of the holy town, the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple also forms an important part of the temple tours in Rishikesh. Located atop the high hills of the town, a fun way to reach the temple is by trekking, which will allow you to explore the dense forests and the beautiful mountains that surround this region of Uttarakhand. A favored destination when it comes to Hindu temples, Neelkanth Mahadev witnesses a major religious gathering by Shiva devotees during the pious occasion of Mahashivratri every year. Along with Mahashivratri, Neelkanth Mahadev also experiences the most crowds during the month of Shravana according to the Hindu calendar, where devotees come from far and wide to receive blessings from the lord.

Timings: 05:00 AM to 06:00 PM

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Raghunath Temple – Visited by the Gods Themselves

Raghunath Temple Rishikesh

Among the ancient temples of Rishikesh that you must explore on your visit, Raghunath Temple is also a popular tourist destination. An important hindu temple, Raghunath Temple is dedicated to the worship of Lord Rama, and his divine consort, Goddess Sita. The temple gathers its significance due to the belief of it having been visited by the lord himself, during his period of exile. Another important attraction that makes this place a popular one among tourists as well as devotees is the Rishikund.

Rishikund is a holy reservoir existing within the larger temple complex and has water from the holy river of Yamuna. What makes Raghunath Temple important for a temple tour in Rishikesh is its location. Being built along the Triveni Ghat, the temple is a popular religious destination in the holy town. Triveni Ghat is believed to be the place of confluence of the holy rivers of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, where witnessing the Ganga Aarti in the evenings is among the most sacred things to do while on a visit. Major festivals celebrated at the temple include Ram Navami, Dussehra, and Diwali, seeing crowds of devotees from different places, coming to be a part of the religious festivities.

Timings: 06:00 AM to 07:00 PM

Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Uttarakhand

Trayambakeshwar Temple- Thirteen Storeys of Divine Destinations 

Tera Manzil Temple Rishikesh

Among the most famous temples in Rishikesh, lies the Terah Manzil Mandir or the Trayambakeshwar Temple. As the name suggests, this ancient temple is 13 stories high and overlooks the majestic Ganga River that flows along it. This hindu temple in Rishikesh is among the must visit temples for a reason. The primary deity of the Trayambakeshwar Temple is Lord Trayambakeshwar himself, another form of Lord Shiva, who is worshiped at the temple in the form of the Shiva Linga and can be seen at the temple’s topmost floor.

Along with Lord Shiva, there are various other deities that are worshiped at the Trayambakeshwar Temple as well, making it one of the most famous temples in Rishikesh. These deities can be seen and worshiped at the shrines dedicated to them at the different floors of the temple. A popular tourist attraction at Rishikesh, the Trayambakeshwar Temple also worships deities such as Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Durga, Lord Hanuman, Lord Vishnu, and the divine couple of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, among many others. While visiting the temple, you can also explore the beautiful Lakshman Jhula, lying in the vicinity of the temple as well. What makes the Trayambakeshwar Temple a major stop on the temple tours of Rishikesh is also the belief that it was constructed by the Vedic scholar, Adi Shankaracharya himself.

Timings: 06:00 AM to 07:00 PM

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Bhootnath Temple- Guarding the Holy Land of Rishikesh

Bhootnath Temple Rishikesh Uttarakhand

A religious destination visited by many on a temple tour of Rishikesh, Bhootnath Temple is a beloved hindu temple. Dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, the temple finds itself situated along the banks of the River Ganga. According to the belief that surrounds the existence of the temple, it is believed that it is at the site of the temple that Lord Shiva appeared as Lord Bhootnath with an aim to ward off the demons that haunted the holy town of Rishikesh.

A seven storeyed temple, Bhootnath Temple is located among the dense forests of Uttarakhand’s hill and is surrounded by the luscious Rajaji National Park on three sides. The view from the temple provides a fascinating picture of the nearby region, making it one of the must see attractions when sightseeing Rishikesh. A popular time to visit the temple is during the occasion of Mahashivratri, when the otherwise quiet temple sees an influx of devotees along with the reverberating sounds of various chants and hymns. The temple with its beautiful architecture made of white marbles, a tall spire that can be witnessed from even a distance, among the backdrop of Rishikesh’s forest, make it one of the best places to visit during your stay.

Timings: 08:00 AM to 04:30 PM

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Bharat Mandir- Wishes Fulfilled by Lord Vishnu Himself

Bharat Mandir Rishikesh

Bharat Mandir or the Hrishikesh Narayan Temple is one of the must visit ancient temples in Rishikesh. The idol inside the temple is said to have been established by the Vedic scholar, Adi Shankaracharya on the pious occasion of Basant Panchmi many centuries ago. Finding its name in the hindu epics of Mahabharata, Vishnu Puran, Shrimad Bhagwat, Vaman Puran, and Narsingh Puran, Bharat Mandir worship the deity of Lord Hrishikesh Narayan, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu himself.

The guardian deity of Rishikesh, Lord Hrishikesh Narayan is believed to protect and bless the holy town. Ever since the installation of the idol on Basant Panchmi, the temple has organized a holy bath for the idol at the Mayakund. This is followed by a holy procession in which the idol is carried back to the temple on the occasion of Basant Panchmi every year. According to a popular belief that surrounds the temple, it is believed that circumambulating the idol on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya 108 times will lead to the fulfillment of one’s wishes, making it one of the best things to do in Rishikesh during your visit. Visiting the temple on this occasion and seeking blessing of the lord’s uncovered feet is the most blessed thing for the devotees, since it is only on the festival of Akshaya Tritiya that the deity’s feet remain uncovered.

Timings: 05:00 AM to 11:00 AM; 01:00 PM to 09:00 PM

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Virabhadra Temple– Worshiping the Ferocious Form of Shiva

Virbhadra Temple Rishikesh Uttarakhand

A popular religious destination in Rishikesh, Virabhadra Temple is dedicated to the worship of Lord Virabhadra, a ferocious incarnation of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is said to have taken the form of Virabhadra out of anger, after Goddess Sati, his wife jumped into the ritual fire after she felt dishonored by her own father. Having been in existence for centuries now, the temple is among the must visit ancient temples that you must explore on a temple pilgrimage tour to Rishikesh.

At Rishikesh’s Virabhadra Temple, one of the best things to do is to visit during the occasions of Mahashivratri and the holy month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar. It is during these holy occasions that the temple sees the most crowd who come to seek the blessings from the lord and to attend the night-long prayers and rituals that take place in honor of Lord Virabhadra. With a history of more than 1,300 years, Virabhadra Temple in Rishikesh is a truly blessed destination to explore. Another aspect of the temple that attracts devotees and tourists alike is the annual fair held during the occasion of Mahashivratri, visiting the temple during which will help you explore the temple in a different light.

Timings: 05:00 AM to 09:00 PM

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Kunjapuri Devi Temple- Adoring the Divine Femininity 

Kunjapuri Devi Temple Rishikesh Uttarakhand

Among the best places to visit on a temple tour in Rishikesh is the Kunjapuri Devi Temple. A popular and important temple of the holy town, Kunjapuri Devi Temple is known to be one of the Shakti Peetha Temples spread out throughout the country. Shakti Peetha Temples are revered shrines across the country dedicated to the worship of divine femininity and worship of Goddess Sati.

With its location among the high hills of Uttarakhand, it is easy for one to get some mesmerizing views of the mountain peaks of Gangotri, Bandarpunch, and Chaukhamba. Given that the temple worships the Goddess ardently, Kunjapuri Devi Temple sees the most crowds during the occasion of Navratri, the most auspicious time for worshiping the goddess. Apart from seeking the blessings of the goddess, one of the best things to do when visiting the temple is to practice peace and harmony at the hilltop with a refreshing yoga and meditation session in the backdrop of the snow-capped mountains, making it one of the best spiritual getaways in Rishikesh. The temple, with its location, also forms one of the more popular trekking experiences in the holy town, attracting trekkers who come to witness the rising sun during the early hours of the day.

Timings: 06:15 AM to 07:15 PM

Also Read: Popular Religious Places in Uttarakhand

Lakshman Temple- Chosen by Lord Lakshman

Rishikesh Lakshman Temple

Lying along the banks of the holy River Ganga, Lakshman Temple is among the hindu temples that must be explored on a temple tour in Rishikesh. As the name denotes, Lakshman Temple worships Lord Lakshman, the brother of Lord Rama, as the primary deity. As per the belief that surrounds the temple, this ancient temple in Rishikesh is said to be where Lord Lakshman had meditated at some point of time.

One of the best places to visit near Lakshman Temple is the suspension bridge of the Lakshman Jhula. Though the current bridge is made of iron, the original bridge is said to have been made using ropes of jute by Lord Lakshman and Lord Rama to cross the sacred Ganga River. With the holy river flowing along the temple, a backdrop of the green hills of Rishikesh, visiting Lakshman Temple in this holy town of Rishikesh is a truly blessed experience. A temple as beautiful as its surroundings, Lakshman Temple is known for its many sculptures and divine art that adorn it all over.

Timings: 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM

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Geeta Bhawan- The Perfect Spiritual Getaway

Geeta Bhawan Rishikesh Uttarakhand

A center of spirituality and calm, Geeta Bhawan in Rishikesh makes for a perfect spiritual getaway. It has numerous halls that accommodate devotees who come here to attend the meditation and prayer sessions that take place regularly. For the tourists and devotees coming to visit Rishikesh, Geeta Bhawan has around a thousand rooms where they can stay free-of-cost.

One of the best places to explore while visiting Rishikesh, Geeta Bhawan houses important hindu literature and scriptures that form the basis of the religion, especially the Gita. Devotees who come here to partake in the various sessions offered by the spiritual complex as well as to take a dip in the sacred River Ganga with a belief to absolve their sins and gain blessings from the river goddess. With numerous ghats, a publishing house that prints books in numerous languages, and an ancient Banyan tree, there are numerous things to explore at this spiritual abode. Although the Geeta Bhawan sees crowds throughout the year, it is during the summer months of April, May, and June that it sees the greatest number of visitors, who come from faraway places to attend the special devotional gatherings, making it one of the best times to explore the holy town of Rishikesh.

Timings: 04:00 AM to 08:00 PM

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Parmarth Niketan- Practice Soul Healing Yoga among the Hills

Parmarth Niketan Rishikesh

Forming the list of the best spiritual getaways in Rishikesh, Parmarth Niketan is easily at the top. Lying along the banks of the holy river Ganga that flows through the sacred town, Parmarth Niketan is one of the best places to visit in Rishikesh for a wholesome yoga experience. One of the more popular ashrams here, Parmarth Niketan is known for its yoga, meditation, and spiritual practices that help its visitors have a relaxing time.

Offering healing activities for the body, mind, and soul, the ashram sees visits from all over the world, forming a popular tourist attraction in Rishikesh. The ashram has around a thousand rooms and teaches numerous classes that impart knowledge on the practice of yoga, stress management, acupressure, and reiki. At the Parmarth Niketan, one of the best things to do is to attend the Ganga Aarti held during the evenings in praise of the sacred river Ganga. Along with this, attending the annual Yoga Festival at the ashram is also one of the reasons you must visit this spiritual haven in Rishikesh. Make the most of your time in Rishikesh with a stay at the Parmarth Niketan, and experience true serenity and calmness, away from the chaos and noise of the loud cities.

Timings: 09:00 AM to 08:00 PM

Also Read: Panch Kedar Yatra Travel Guide

In the holy town of Rishikesh, there are numerous temples and ashrams for one to explore. With some of them dating back centuries, they make some of the best places to explore, coming with their own set of mysteries that are truly delightful. Visit these popular temples of Rishikesh and you will truly understand why this holy town of Uttarakhand makes for the best spiritual getaway worth exploring.

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