Neelkanth Mandir Rishikesh

Shiva rested here after consuming poison.

Jarat sakal sur brind bisham garal jehin paan kiya.

Who himself drank the terrible Halahal poison by which all the gods were burning, O slow mind! Why don’t you worship that Shankarji? Who is (more) merciful than him? Although Dwadash Jyotirlinga is discussed in the temples of Shiva, but the importance of Neelkanth Mahadev is also very special for Shiva devotees.

Although Neelkanth Mahadev is different from the twelve Jyotirlingas, it has special significance because Neelkanth Mahadev is the place where Shiva rested for years after drinking the Halala of Samudra Manthan.

Later, on the request of the gods, he went back to Mount Kailash. In fact, after drinking the gargle of Samudra Manthan, Shiva’s throat had turned blue due to poison. That is why he is also called Neelkanth.

After resting on a peak in Rishikesh for many years, Shiva was able to remove the poison from his throat. Shiva’s forehead had become hot due to poison. The gods offered water on Shiva’s forehead to provide coolness, since then the tradition of offering water to Shiva has been going on.This is the story of Neelkanth Mahadev in brief. But you would like to know where is this temple of Neelkanth Mahadev..So this temple is 23 kilometers away from Swargashram (Ram Jhula or Shivanand Jhula) of Rishikesh in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. It is situated in the beautiful valleys of the mountains, at a total altitude of 1675 meters.