Located scenically on a hilltop at a 1330 meters height, Neelkanth Mahadev is one of the most famous and sacred temples of God Shiva in the Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand. A prominent pilgrimage site for Hindus, this temple is among the most admired holy shrined devoted to Lord Shiva. This temple is a popular pilgrimage near Rishikesh and lies just above Swargasharm close to the Nar Narayan mountains range. The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is enveloped between 3 valleys namely Brahmakoot, Sihnukoot, and Manikoot that makes it a highly religious place. Located above sea level, the temple lies between breathtaking and lush green surroundings.
Neelkanth Mahadev has very attractive architecture. The temple’s architecture is festooned with sculptures of different Asuras and Devas depicting the Samudra Manthan. Lord Shiva is the ruling deity in this temple. The inner complex of this temple is very beautiful and divine. Devotees come here and tie sacred threads on a gigantic Peepal tree to make a wish. This complex has a spring as well where the devotees take holy baths usually before entering into the premises of surrounding dense forests.
As per legends, Neelkanth Mahadev is the holy place where Shiva consumed the poison that originated from Samudra Manthan when Asuras and Devas churned the whole ocean to get Amrita and put on his throat. This poison which came out during Samudra Manthan made Lord Shiva’s throat blue in color. Lord Shiva is thus called Neelkanth, the Blue Throated God as well. Hence, this temple has become the most visited place for the devotees of Lord Shiva and people keep coming around the year to this sacred place.
The most notable festival that is celebrated here is of Maha Shivratri and every year, thousands of devotees come to this temple during this festival. All the devotees offer Bael leaves, milk, honey, water, flowers, fruit, and coconut to Lord Shiva. The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple helps two main fairs that are organized years on MahaShivratri in February and March and Shivaratri during Shravana month of the Hindu Calendar, usually July and August. Since the temple is surrounded by dense forests and located above the hill, trekkers also love to come to this temple after a 22km trek from the Ram Jhula. This makes it one of the favorite trekking spot as it offers magnificent viewpoints of the valley and the mountains.
