The world’s yoga capital, Rishikesh, is a beautiful town in the northern state of Uttarakhand. Rishikesh is widely known for its yoga retreats, historic temples, and holy River Ganges in the highlands of the Himalayas—travelers, including Yogis and pilgrims, are drawn to this place for enlightenment, serenity, and spiritual seeking. This majestic place offers everyone a fascinating experience with a fusion of natural beauty, spirituality, and a lot of adventure.
For ages, Rishikesh has been an important hub when it comes to spirituality. Saints and savants sit here for a long time to meditate to reach high-rise consciousness. It is believed that, when Lord Rama killed Ravana, he went to Rishikesh after that to perform self-mortification. Your trip to Rishikesh is incomplete without exploring the spiritual and religious sites of Rishikesh.
River Ganges offers the best white-water rafting in Rishikesh, one who loves to adventure can visit and experience rafting over the furious waves of River Ganges. Rishikesh is also known for its other adventurous activities like rock climbing, trekking and much more. One can experience the highest bungee jumping of 83 metres like a free fall in this place.
Strongly significant with spirituality, Rishikesh is home to an extensive variety of temples that reflect its rich cultural and religious past. Ganga Arti in Rishikesh is the must-have experience for every visitor to feel the real connectivity with God and the meaning of life.
There are so many famous temples in Rishikesh to visit. So, let’s get to know about the 10 best temples to visit in Rishikesh briefly:
- Lakshman Temple
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
- Kunjapuri Temple
- Bharat Mandir
- Trayambakeshwar Temple
- Raghunath Temple
- Shri Triveni Ghat Temple
- Bhoothnath Temple
- Virbhadra Temple
- Shatrughana Temple
Also Check Out: Popular Rishikesh Sightseeing Tour Packages
Lakshman Temple
A well-known site of Rishikesh, Lakshman Temple is the honor of Lord Rama. This temple is quite important in terms of both mythological and historical. The temple gets its name from the closest bridge, the Lakshman Jhula bridge, which was crossed by Lakshman, brother of Lord Rama. Lakshman Jhula Temple has an underrated design, and the architecture of the temple combines the components of traditional Hindu architecture with the picturesque splendor of the surroundings.
Visitors usually come here to offer prayers, connect with spirituality, find peace in the majestic view of the Ganges, and much more. Saints, scholars, and spiritual leaders come to attend lectures and cultural events held in the complex of Lakshman Jhula Temple. It is a must-visit destination to get into the historical and theological surroundings, including tranquil surroundings.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
Devoted to Lord Shiva, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is one of the most popular temples in Rishikesh. The temple is situated around 32 km from Rishikesh and offers picturesque hills of the Garhwal region. This temple is an ideal destination for the followers of Lord Shiva. The temple is connected to the renowned story of Samudra Manthan, which also involves the swirling of the seas.
The Neelkanth Temple offers majestic views of the Garhwal hills along with a peaceful environment, which makes it a perfect spot for meditation and spiritual connectivity.This place is heaven for those who are looking for tranquillity and a strong connection to nature as well.
Kanjapuri Temple
About 25 km from the Rishikesh, Kanjapuri Temple comes in India as one of the 52 Shikshapeeth. This temple is devoted to the goddess Durga and settled around 1,676 meters above sea level. One can enjoy the breathtaking views of Doon Valley, Rishikesh, and the Himalayas, which also include the peaks of Gangotri, Swarga Rohini, Chaukhamba, and Banderpunch. It is believed that the location of the Kunjapuri temple symbolizes where Lord Shiva’s wife’s chest dropped when Lord Vishnu cut off the limbs of her body.
The temple architecture is traditional and simple, reflecting the ancient style of temple construction. The architecture of Kunjapuri Temple is the reflection of traditional designs of Himalayan temples, just simple but quite attractive. The surroundings of the temple are filled with dense forest, hence keeping the atmosphere peaceful and spiritual. Kunjapuri is the site of performing rituals, which include singing aartis, lamp lighting, and other religious activities. This comes in the must-visit temples in Rishikesh for every spiritual seeker.
Bharat Mandir
One of the oldest and most admiring temples of Rishikesh, Bharat Mandir is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the temple was established by Adi Shankaracharya, who was a Hindu philosopher and theologian of the 8th century. It is said that Lord Vishnu once visited Bharat Mandir for meditation. The primary idol of the temple, which is a black stone called Shaligram, has been sacred to him.
Here it is thought that Bharat engaged in penance and meditation to obtain blessings for Lord Rama’s return from banishment. The architecture of this temple is a reflection of the traditional North Indian temple style. To know much more about the historical glory and hidden stories of this temple, a visit to Bharat Mandir is a must.
Trayambakeshwar Temple (Tera Manzil Temple)
Also known as Tera Manzil Temple, Trayambaskeshwar Temple is also situated and one of the most famous temples of Rishikesh. This multistory temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is the epitome of noteworthy architectural and spiritual landmarks in the area. Each floor of Trayambakeshwar Temple is full of positivity and the shine of Hinduism. The top floor of the temple offers magnificent views of Rishikesh and its surroundings. This temple is one of the must-see places in Rishikesh.
The attraction of the temple is its location, which covers the breathtaking views of the Ganges River and the verdant hills of the Garhwal region. The scriptures and cravings in the Trayambakeshwar Temple represent the scenes of Hindu mythology. On a daily basis, the temple conducts the prayer, which is devoted to Lord Shiva by aartis and another religious ceremony. It is a fusion of calm, composed, and spiritual surroundings. Visitors love to explore the architectural styles and religious customs through this temple.
Raghunath Temple
A prominent Hindu temple, Raghunath temple is the must-visit temple of Rishikesh. This temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, who is an eminent Hindu god and has a mythological significance. The Raghunath temple is designed in accordance with the North Indian style of temple. There is a scripture inside the temple of the primary god, Lord Rama, who is frequently shown holding a bow and arrow.
Daily, Lord Rama is worshipped in the temple through prayers and aartis, and a few rites, which include lightning lamps and other religious activities. Visitors get a calm and spiritual setting, which is an ideal environment for meditation. The serene atmosphere of the temple and the locals’ commitment to it heighten the tourists’ spiritual experience.
Shri Triveni Ghat Temple
Situated at Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh, Shri Triveni Ghat temple is a northerly and revered location. This is one of the most famous temples of Rishikesh for its spiritual significance and serves as the hub for several religious and cultural events. Triveni is the most famous and auspicious place, as three well-known rivers, Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, meet at this place.
It is believed that carrying out rites and taking a bath in the river will compensate your sins and grant spiritual merit. The major temples of Triveni Ghat have a straightforward design that is similar to the traditional North Indian temple buildings. This place is always crowded with devotees, priests, and visitors for spiritual activities and religious beliefs.
Bhoothnath Temple
There is a hallowed Hindu shrine in Rishikesh, which is known as Bhoothnath Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is well known for its spiritual surroundings and calm atmosphere. Also known as ‘Lord of Spirit’ and ‘Lord of Ghosts’, Lord Shiva is worshipped in this Temple. “Bhoothnath” conjures up images of a spirit world or ghostly realm.
Bhoothnath temple is an ideal place for meditation due to its serene and spiritual lighting atmosphere. Bhoothnath temple offers insights into the Hindu traditions; hence the guests can engage with the more profound facets of Shiva devotion. Overall, Bhoothnath temple is a prominent site that is famous for devotees and tourists seeking a connection with Lord Shiva.
Virbhadra Temple
The significant place of prayers and pilgrimage, Virbhadra temple is devoted to Lord Vibhadra, an avatar of Lord Shiva. It is said that Virbhadra was created when Shiva’s outrage came out at Father Daksha for insulting his wife. Due to mythological beginnings, this temple holds a great significant value for its followers. One who is looking for a peaceful place for meditation, this temple offers a calm and spiritually charged environment.
It is a popular significant site that honors Lord Shiva in his aggressive and powerful form. Visitors are drawn to this temple for its idyllic atmosphere, traditional practices, mythological significance, and much more. Once one visits the Virbhadra temple, one gets a unique opportunity to witness the supreme fury and protective power of Shiva via his powerful birth, Virbhadra.
Shatrughana Temple
Devoted to Lord Rama, Shatrughana Temple is the famous Hindu shrine in Rishikesh. The temple has a typical architecture similar to the North Indian Temple, simple yet elegant. The temple has a garbhagriha, where it is believed that the idea of Shatrughana was kept. The main figure of the temple is portrayed with unique features and decorated with gifts from followers.
Visitors often come here to seek a deeper connection with Hindi mythology and spirituality. This is one of the best spiritual sites to visit in Rishikesh. A unique chance to recognize the qualities of loyalty and devotion exemplified by Shatrughna and enhance one’s spiritual path is provided by a visit to the Shatrughna Temple.
Temples of Rishikesh display a range of spiritual practices and architectural styles. Each and every temple has its own story and uniqueness, as it also helps to enhance your spiritual experience. One can get a combination of history, scenic views, devotion, and much more by visiting these temples. The temples offer you to establish a connection with the enduring soul of this holy place. The temples of Rishikesh are the epitome of inner serenity, a close relationship to God, and spiritual enlightenment.
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About the author
From the Lake District, Nainital, Nidhi Singh is a travel writer whose love for mountains can be seen in her write ups. Talk about solo travelling, indulging in adventure activities, binging on good food, planning budget trips or the Aurora Borealis and you will get all her attention. It is the wanderlust that keeps her going and if at all she could get one wish granted she would love to live a life less ordinary. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
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