Rishikesh Bhootnath Temple

Rishikesh Bhootnath Temple

Bhootnath Temple situated at the banks of river Ganga at Rishikesh is one of the holy religious places of Uttarakhand.The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here in the form of Bhootnath, which means Lord of Ghosts.

The Shivalingam is surrounded by ten bells from the four sides (north, east, west and south). The fascinating experience is that each bell emits a different sound, no sound will match with the sounds of the other bells that is most interesting fact of the temple.

The Bhootnath Temple is a beautiful example of traditional Hindu temple architecture, with intricate carvings and designs adorning its walls and pillars. The temple has a tall spire or Shikhar, which is visible from afar and adds to the grandeur of the temple.

According to the legend, Lord Shiva himself appeared in the form of Bhootnath to protect Rishikesh from the demons who were creating chaos and destruction in the area. The temple was then built at the spot where Lord Shiva had appeared, and it became a popular place of worship for devotees seeking the blessings of the Lord.

It is said that this temple has a story related to marriage of Lord Shiva and goddess Sati. The legends say that this is the place where Lord Shiva’s marriage procession had stopped before reaching the destination of Daksha (Father of goddess Sati).The temple also houses the idols of other deities too like idol of goddess Saraswati, Lord Kalbhairav and others.

One of the most popular festivals celebrated at the temple is Shivaratri, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. Other festivals celebrated here include Navaratri, Diwali, and Holi.