Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to ‘Nilkanth’ which is considered to be an aspect of Shiva. The temple is almost 15 km from Rishikesh city in Uttarakhand, India. The temple architecture is one of those temples which are very much influenced by the Dravidian style of temple architecture. However, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site making it worth visiting from all over India. The temple area is surrounded by deep forests and is adjacent to the mountain ranges of ‘Nar-Narayan’. It is enveloped between the valleys of ‘Manikoot’, ‘Brahmakoot’, and ‘Vishnukoot’. It is also located at the confluence of the rivers ‘Pankaja’ and ‘Madhumati’.
Over the years, this temple has gained much popularity. People from all over India come here to witness the serenity of the temple along with the dense forest and divinity of the Ganges.

Attraction

According to Hindu mythology, the place where the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple currently stands is the sacred location where Lord Shiva consumed the poison that originated from the sea (when gods and demons churned the ocean in order to obtain nectar). Today, for the Hindu devotees, this place is a holy one attracting a lot of pilgrims every year.
Maha Shivaratri, the most prominent festival, is widely celebrated in the temple and many devotees flock together in the temple during this festival. The devotees who pay a visit to Neelkanth Mahadev make an offering of Bael leaves, coconut, flowers, milk, honey, fruits, and water to Lord Shiva. The temple observes two fairs that are held annually on the occasion of Maha Shivratri (during the month of February). The Shivratri of ‘Shraavana’ (month of Hindu calendar: July-Aug) during which the devotees (Kawarias) trek from Haridwar to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.Apart from that divine aura, the deep forest area, the serene river, and the charming birds make a splendid symphony. For so many years, this place has been visited by numerous tourists. The nearby tourist places for example, Shri Bharat Mandir, Hemkunt sahib Gurudwara, Gita Bhavan, Gita Press, and many more are a complete package for tourists.

History

According to some of the Hindu sacred texts, the place, where the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple currently stands, is the sacred location where Shiva consumed the poison that originated from the sea when the Devas (Gods) and the Asuras (Demons) churned the ocean in order to obtain ‘Amrita’. This poison that emanated during the ‘Samudra Manthan’ (churning of the ocean) made his throat blue in color. Thus, Shiva is also known as Neelkanth, literally meaning The Blue Throated One.
According to the ‘Shruti-Smriti’ Purana, Devas and Asuras churned the ocean to obtain Amruta. 14 ratans were obtained of which one was the ‘Kalkut’ poison capable of destroying the whole world. This was consumed by Lord Shiva making his throat blue. To allay the effect of Kalkut poison, Lord Shiva meditated for 60 thousand years here at the confluence of the Pankaja and Madhumati Rivers beneath the ‘Panchpani’ tree where the current Garbha Gruh of the temple is constructed. After his penance, Lord Shiva installed the current day “throat” shaped shivling beneath the ‘Panchpani’ tree.

Inside/Outside Views

The temple is located amidst dense forest and the nearby area is covered by various small and big rivers. The air of the area is almost pollution free. The water is pure. It is a sacred place where many people seek redemption through prayers and meditation. Anyone will be mesmerized by the stunning beauty of this spot.The temple has a ‘Gopura’ or the ‘shikhara’ as in any Pandya (Tamil) style temple and is raised high in a tiered way in pyramid style. Beautiful Motifs and Friezes are carved on these towers. The shikhara of the temple is adorned with sculptures of both Devas and Asuras depicting the ‘Samudra Manthan’. Neelkanth Mahadev stands in the form of Shivalinga and he is the presiding deity of the temple too. The temple complex is full of natural resources that look like spring. Here, devotees usually take a holy bath before entering the premises surrounded by dense forests.

How to Reach

By road: The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is situated in Rishikesh’s Kotdwar area. From the busy area of Rishikesh, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is only 15 km away. Rishikesh is well connected with other major cities of the country. And from Rishikesh, you will get local transport to reach the site.

By air: The closest airport, ‘Jolly Grant Airport’. It is only 32 kilometers away from this area which is in Dehradun. Apart from that, there are airports in Delhi or Lucknow to reach Dehradun by flight. From the airport area, you can easily get local transport to reach the site.

By train: The closest railway station from Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is nearly 32 km away at the ‘Rishikesh railway station’. The station is connected with other major cities of India. From the station, you will get local transport.

Tips for Travellers

Devotees usually take a holy bath before entering the premises of the temple.
Please wear suitable clothes according to both culture and seasons.
Don’t forget to follow the code of conduct.
If you are visiting Rishikesh for the first time, try to visit in a group for safety purposes.
Avoid the Monsoon, it’s better to avoid visiting during the monsoon season (from July to August) due to heavy rainfall, which can lead to landslides and difficult travel conditions.
Please keep silent during your visit to the temple.