Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is one of the most-visited Shiva shrines near Rishikesh. This guide covers the legend, how to get there and what timings and costs to expect.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple stands in dense forest in the Pauri Garhwal district, about 32 km by road from Rishikesh. Hindu tradition holds that this is where Shiva drank the poison (Halahala) that rose from the churning of the ocean, turning his throat blue and giving him the name Neelkanth, the 'blue-throated one'. The temple is built in a Dravidian style, with a tiered pyramidal tower decorated with figures of gods and demons, and the sanctum holds a Shivalinga.

A natural spring in the complex is used for ritual bathing. Maha Shivaratri in February or March draws the largest crowds, and during Shravan (July to August) Kanwar pilgrims walk here from Haridwar. Most visitors reach the temple by taxi or shared jeep along the hill road from Rishikesh; there is also a long forest trek of roughly 12 to 14 km that starts near Ram Jhula, per one travel blog. The road can be slippery in the monsoon.

Photography may be restricted inside the shrine, and shoes are left at the entrance. Many people pair the visit with Parmarth Niketan or the Beatles Ashram in a single day.