Quick answer: Rishikesh’s nine most visited temples are Neelkanth Mahadev, Bharat Mandir, Triveni Ghat with its Raghunath Mandir, Parmarth Niketan, Trayambakeshwar (Tera Manzil), Lakshman Mandir, Kunjapuri Devi, Veerbhadra Mahadev and Vashishtha Gufa. Most open from about 5 to 6 am until 8 to 9 pm. Plan one day for the town temples and aartis, and a second for Neelkanth and Kunjapuri, which are 25 to 32 km away in the hills.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Haridwar is where yatris take snan; Rishikesh is where sadhus have sat in tapasya for centuries. The town is spread along both banks of the Ganga, from Triveni Ghat in the south to the old Lakshman Jhula area in the north, with the hill shrines of Neelkanth and Kunjapuri above. It is also the road gateway to Kedarnath, Badrinath and the Char Dham. This guide covers the temples worth your darshan, with deity, story, timings, dress and distance from the station, and a simple 1 to 3 day plan.
Which temples should you not miss in Rishikesh?
Think of Rishikesh in three parts. The old town around Triveni Ghat holds Bharat Mandir and Raghunath Mandir. Swarg Ashram and Lakshman Jhula, 3 to 5 km upstream, have Parmarth Niketan, Gita Bhawan, Tera Manzil and the Lakshman Mandir. The hills hold Neelkanth Mahadev and Kunjapuri Devi, while Vashishtha Gufa sits on the Badrinath highway beyond Shivpuri.
1. Neelkanth Mahadev
Deity: Lord Shiva as Neelkanth, the blue-throated one. Devotees believe Shiva meditated here after drinking the halahal poison from the churning of the ocean, and the linga is worshipped as the place where he rested. Timings: about 5 am to 9 pm, with long queues on Mondays. Distance: about 32 km by road from Rishikesh in Pauri Garhwal district, around 1.5 hours each way on a narrow ghat road; a traditional footpath of about 12 km climbs from the Ram Jhula side. Best time: avoid the Shravan Kanwar fortnight, when lakhs of Kanwariyas walk here and road access for private vehicles is restricted.
2. Bharat Mandir
Deity: Lord Vishnu as Hrishikesh Narayan, carved from a single shaligram stone. It is the oldest temple of Rishikesh, linked by tradition to Adi Shankaracharya’s re-consecration, and the town takes its name from this form of Vishnu. On Basant Panchami the deity is taken in procession to the Ganga. Timings: about 5:30 am to 9 pm. From station: about 1.5 km from Rishikesh station, close to Triveni Ghat.
3. Triveni Ghat and Raghunath Mandir
Significance: Rishikesh’s main bathing ghat, where three streams are traditionally said to meet. The evening Ganga aarti here is the most traditional in Rishikesh, performed by local priests. The Raghunath Mandir on the ghat is dedicated to Shri Ram. Timings: ghat open always; aarti around sunset, roughly 5:30 pm in winter and 6:30 to 7 pm in summer. From station: about 1.5 km.
4. Parmarth Niketan
Significance: one of the largest ashrams in Rishikesh, on the Swarg Ashram bank, with a large Shiva statue in the river. Its evening Ganga aarti, sung by the ashram’s rishikumars, draws visitors from across the world. Timings: ashram open through the day; aarti at sunset, start time posted at the ghat. Dress: modest; you sit on the steps. From station: about 4 km to Ram Jhula, then a walk across.
5. Trayambakeshwar Mandir (Tera Manzil)
Significance: a thirteen-storey temple beside the old Lakshman Jhula, with a different deity on each floor and views over the river from the top. Climbing all floors takes effort; seniors can do the lower levels. Timings: about 6 am to 8 pm. From station: about 5 km.
6. Lakshman Mandir
Deity: Lakshman, who is believed to have done penance here; the old Lakshman Jhula was named after the spot where he is said to have crossed the river on jute ropes. Timings: about 6 am to 8 pm. Note: the old Lakshman Jhula suspension bridge has been closed to the public for safety. A new glass-floored bridge nearby, Bajrang Setu, was reported in July 2026 to be awaiting formal opening, with a proposed fee for the glass walkways. Check locally before planning a crossing.
7. Kunjapuri Devi
Deity: Maa Kunjapuri, a form of Durga, revered as a Siddh Peeth where devotees believe part of Sati’s body fell. The temple stands on a ridge at roughly 1,650 metres, and the sunrise over the Himalayan peaks is the main reason people come early. Timings: roughly 6 am to 8 pm. Distance: about 25 to 27 km from Rishikesh via Narendranagar, then around 300 steps. Dress: warm layers for a dawn visit, even in summer.
8. Veerbhadra Mahadev
Deity: Shiva as Veerbhadra, the fierce form created from his anger after Sati’s death at Daksha’s yagya. The temple is ancient, and excavations nearby have reportedly found remains from early centuries AD. Timings: about 6 am to 8 pm. Distance: about 5 km south of Rishikesh, near AIIMS. Mahashivratri is its biggest day.
9. Vashishtha Gufa
Significance: a cave on the Ganga bank where Sage Vashishtha is believed to have meditated. It is maintained by an ashram, and visitors sit in silence inside a dim cave with a Shiva linga. Timings: daytime, with a midday closure. Distance: about 22 to 25 km up the Badrinath highway. Ideal for a quiet hour on the way to the hills.
Rishikesh temples at a glance
| Temple | Deity | Approx. timings | Distance from Rishikesh town | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neelkanth Mahadev | Shiva | 5 am to 9 pm | 32 km by road | Hill drive; short walk |
| Bharat Mandir | Vishnu (Hrishikesh Narayan) | 5:30 am to 9 pm | Town centre | Easy |
| Triveni Ghat | Ganga; Shri Ram | Always; aarti at sunset | Town centre | Easy |
| Parmarth Niketan | Shiva; Ganga | Day; aarti at sunset | 4 km | Easy walk |
| Tera Manzil | Many deities | 6 am to 8 pm | 5 km | Thirteen floors of stairs |
| Lakshman Mandir | Lakshman | 6 am to 8 pm | 5 km | Easy |
| Kunjapuri Devi | Durga | 6 am to 8 pm | 25 to 27 km | About 300 steps |
| Veerbhadra Mahadev | Shiva (Veerbhadra) | 6 am to 8 pm | 5 km | Easy |
| Vashishtha Gufa | Shiva; Rishi Vashishtha | Daytime | 22 to 25 km | Short walk down |
How to plan a 1 to 3 day darshan in Rishikesh
One day (town temples)
- Morning: Bharat Mandir and snan at Triveni Ghat.
- Late morning: cross to Swarg Ashram; Gita Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan.
- Afternoon: Tera Manzil and Lakshman Mandir; lunch at one of the many sattvic cafés.
- Evening: Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan or Triveni Ghat. Pick one; they are at the same hour.
Two days
Day two starts before dawn with Kunjapuri sunrise, then Neelkanth Mahadev by mid-morning, returning to Rishikesh by afternoon. If anyone in the group has knee trouble, Neelkanth alone is enough for the day.
Three days
Add Veerbhadra Mahadev and Vashishtha Gufa, or spend a day in Haridwar, 25 km away, for Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi and Kankhal. See our guide to temples in Haridwar.
Dress code and etiquette in Rishikesh
- Rishikesh is a vegetarian, alcohol-free town by law around the ghats and ashrams. Eggs are also hard to find.
- Cover shoulders and knees inside temples and ashrams. At aarti, sit on the steps and avoid standing in front of the priests to take photos.
- For Neelkanth and Kunjapuri, carry a light shawl; the hill air is cool in the early morning even in May.
- The Ganga at Rishikesh is cold and fast. Bathe only at ghats with chains and never let children into the water unattended.
- Monkeys at Neelkanth and Tera Manzil snatch prasad and glasses; keep bags closed.
When is the best time for Rishikesh temple darshan?
October to March is the calmest and most comfortable. Days are pleasant and evenings cold. March to April brings the International Yoga Festival crowd, and May to June is hot in the town but pleasant in the hills. The monsoon (July to September) brings landslide risk on the Neelkanth road, and the Kanwar Yatra in Shravan closes routes for days. During the Char Dham season (May to October), Rishikesh is busy with yatri buses heading north.
How to reach Rishikesh
- Train: Yog Nagari Rishikesh (YNRK) is the main station, with direct trains from Delhi and other cities; the old Rishikesh station near the town centre has fewer services. Many yatris come by train to Haridwar and drive the last 25 km (about 45 minutes).
- Air: Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport is about 20 km away, around 40 minutes.
- Road: Delhi to Rishikesh is about 240 km, 6 to 7 hours.
How we can help
Our Haridwar Rishikesh Yatra (2 nights, 3 days) covers the main temples of both towns with evening aarti. Rishikesh is also the first night on the road to the hills, so it fits naturally into the Panch Prayag Yatra or our Kedarnath Yatra from Dehradun. See all Char Dham yatras, or use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
How far is Neelkanth Mahadev from Rishikesh?
Neelkanth Mahadev is about 32 km from Rishikesh by road, roughly 1.5 hours each way on a winding hill road through forest. Shared jeeps and taxis leave from the Ram Jhula side. A traditional footpath of about 12 km also climbs through the forest. Allow half a day, and much longer on Mondays and in Shravan.
Which is better, the aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan?
Both are held at sunset, so choose one. Triveni Ghat’s aarti is the town’s traditional aarti, performed by local priests, with a strong local devotee crowd. Parmarth Niketan’s aarti is led by the ashram’s young students with bhajans and a talk, and draws many visitors from abroad. Families often find Parmarth easier to sit through.
Is Lakshman Jhula open in 2026?
The old Lakshman Jhula suspension bridge has been closed to the public for safety for several years. A new glass-floored bridge nearby, Bajrang Setu, was reported in July 2026 to be nearly complete and awaiting formal opening, with a proposed fee for its glass walkways. Check the current status locally before you plan around it.
What is the dress code for Rishikesh temples?
There is no written dress code at most temples, but modest Indian clothing is expected. Cover shoulders and knees, and remove footwear before entering. At ashrams such as Parmarth Niketan, loose, simple clothes are best for sitting on the ghat steps. Leave leather items at the hotel for the hill shrines.
What time does Kunjapuri temple open for sunrise?
Kunjapuri is usually open from around 6 am, and devotees aim to reach the top before sunrise, which ranges from about 5:15 am in June to 7 am in January. Leave Rishikesh about 75 to 90 minutes before sunrise. The last stretch is around 300 steps, so allow extra time for elders.
Can we combine Rishikesh with Kedarnath or Char Dham?
Yes. Rishikesh is the road gateway to all four dhams; every Char Dham route by road passes through it. Many families spend the first or last evening here for the Ganga aarti. If you are starting from Dehradun, Rishikesh is about 45 km away on the way north.
Is Rishikesh vegetarian only?
Yes, around the ghats, temples and ashram areas, meat and alcohol are not sold, and many places do not serve eggs either. You will find plenty of good vegetarian food, from simple dhabas to ashram bhojanalayas. Please respect the rule; it matters greatly to local residents and sadhus.
Which month is best to visit Neelkanth Mahadev?
October to March is best, with clear skies and manageable crowds. Avoid the Kanwar fortnight in Shravan (July to August), when the road may be closed to private vehicles. The monsoon months also carry landslide risk on the hill road. On Mahashivratri the temple is extremely crowded, so start before dawn.