Temples in Rishikesh - A Melting Pot of Heritage and Spirituality

Also known as Tera Manzil temple, Triambakeshwar is a 13-storied temple standing on the banks of River Ganga. The principal deity here is Lord Shiva although other gods are also worshipped. Triambakeshwar Temple is one of the most iconic temples in Rishikesh which is visible from Lakshman Jhula.

The primary deities at Raghunath Temple are Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. Located at Triveni Ghat, where the famous Ganga Aarti takes place every evening, Raghunath Temple in Rishikesh is considered one of the most sacred places for Hindus. Rishikund, a holy pond is also nearby this temple.

It is one of the most famous temples in Rishikesh and enjoys great significance in Hindu scriptures. According to the legends, that it is here that Lord Shiva drank the poison churned out from the sea after the legendary 'Amrit Manthan'. The act turned his throat blue, and hence the temple derives its name Neelkanth Mahadev.

Founded by Adiguru Shankaracharya in the 12th century, the shrine houses Lord Vishnu carved out of a single piece of Saligram. The inner canopy of the temple contains Shree Yanthra. The architecture and interiors of this temple in Rishikesh have been detailed in the ancient record of Kearkhand. The present structure was reconstructed on the ruins of the original temple destroyed by Tamur. Excavations have yielded many old statues, ancient pots and coins from this site.

The Lakshman Temple in Rishikesh takes its roots from the Ramayana. It is believed that Lakshmana and Rama attained enlightenment here. The jute bridge which is now called the Lakshmana Jhoola is believed to have been constructed by Rama and Lakshmana. The temple is easily accessible by local transport such as cabs or autos. Make sure to take a look at the ancient sculptures and paintings that adorn this temple.

Kunjapuri Temple in Rishikesh is devoted to Goddess Sati, first wife of Shiva and an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. It is one of the Shakti Peeths as it is believed that a body part of Sati fell at this place when Lord Shiva travelled throughout the universe with her corpse.

Shatrughna Mandir is devoted to Shatrughna from the epic Ramayana. This temple in Rishikesh was built by Adi Shankaracharya when he visited Rishikesh. This ancient temple is located near Ram Jhula.

Parmarth Niketan is another significant temple in Rishikesh. The temple also has a religious school which teaches Hinduism. It is a well known Yoga School as well. Every evening Ganga Aarti and Hawan are organised on Parmarth Ghat of the Temple.

This isolated temple in Rishikesh is surrounded on three sides by the Rajaji National Park and the city of Rishikesh along the Ganga river on the other. Expect to see spectacular views from the top of the temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as he was known to have taken rest here en route his marriage procession to Goddess Sita.

Gita Bhawan is one of the oldest temples in Rishikesh. Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana are depicted on the walls of the temple. People come to this temple to read these legends and observe the Ganga Aarti which is performed at Gita Bhawan Ghat every evening.

Located in the Swarg Ahram Rishikesh, this temple is a 3-storeyed structure located along the River Gana and gives fantastic views of the Rishikesh valley. A popular tourist spot for foreign visitors, the traditional element of the temple gives people a sense of peace and serenity. 

Considered to be one of the more popular temples in Rishikesh, the Hanuman Mandir is located 6 kms from the city limits. Tuesdays are an important and usually a very busy day at the Hanuman Mandir here as there are many rituals taking place here. The Ganga Aarti happening here is a major highlight as well.