Planning for a trip to Rishikesh? And caught up in the loop of endless scrolling and searching, and still has not figured out what to do and places to visit in Rishikesh?
While this list of places aims at targeting people who are running behind time and get the essence of Rishikesh in the least possible time, we also ensure to cover and address every kind of question and need of people about to visit Rishikesh shortly!
Happy Reading! You are at the right platform! Make this list a part of your Itinerary…
- KUNJAPURI TEMPLE (Altitude: 1,676m above sea level)
Distance: Approximately 25 km from Rishikesh
Pre-requisite: Vehicle of your own or a Rental vehicle (Scooty will cost you around Rs 400-500). For Rental Vehicle, call us on 9519555917, we will arrange for you at your desired location.
TM Recommends: to reach there only before sunrise or sunset (non-negotiable task).
By the way, you might be wondering why to recommend this far place at No. 1?
Reason being you will find this place totally worth it since the view enroute and the view from the temple peak is unbelievable… believe it or not! But most importantly its historical and religious importance makes this place more interesting. And once you reach there you would not want to return from the temple premises because of the purity & positive energy this place tends to transcend beyond one’s imagination.
Not everyone knows about this place and its cultural, religious importance, which makes it a less-explored spot.
History:
Kunjapuri is temple of Goddess Durga , as it being one of the thirteen Shakti Peethas (Power Centers) in Shivalik range and one of the three Shakti Peethas in Tehri district established by Jagadguru Shankaracharya. Other two Shakti Peethas in the district are Surkanda Devi and Chandrabadni. Kunjapuri, along with these two peethas form a holy triangle. Shakti Peethas are the places where body parts of Goddess Sati (incarnation of Goddess Parvati before she took birth as Parvati) fell down while Lord Shiva was carrying her dead body in his arms and roaming unconsciously through the Himalayan ranges of Bharatbarsh after Sati had flung herself in the yajna fires when some derogatory remarks were made about her husband by her father Daksha. The Durga temple at Kunjapuri receives thousands of visitors throughout the year but during Navaratras there is much flow of devotees.
2. NEELKANTH MAHADEV TEMPLE (Altitude: 1,330m)
Distance: 32 km from Rishikesh
Pre-requisite: take out 1-2 hr to spend here as visitors typically end up spending the same.
Variables: Timing- 5:00 am to 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Entry Fee- Nil
TM Recommends: to visit early in the morning & witness the sunrise.
If you want to witness the grand celebration, try to visit here at the time of Maha Shivratri.
The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated atop a hill at a height of 1330 metres and is surrounded by dense forests. The temple is named after Lord Shiva, who is also known as Neelkanth, and is believed to be the site where he consumed the poison that emerged during the ‘Samudra Manthan’.
Its spiritual significance, serene location, and the annual Maha Shivaratri festival make it the top choice for tourists.