Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple stands about 32 kilometres from Rishikesh in Pauri Garhwal district, in dense forest beside the Nar-Narayan ranges, enclosed by the Manikoot, Brahmakoot and Vishnukoot valleys, where the Pankaja and Madhumati rivers meet. Hindu tradition holds that this is where Shiva drank the halahala poison released when the gods and demons churned the ocean for nectar, which turned his throat blue and gave him the name Neelkanth. He is said to have meditated here for 60,000 years beneath a panchpani tree, where the sanctum now stands, and to have installed the throat-shaped linga that is the presiding deity.

The temple is built in a Dravidian style, its tiered tower carved with gods and demons churning the ocean. A natural spring in the complex is used for a holy bath before entering. Devotees offer bael leaves, coconut, flowers, milk, honey and fruit. Fairs at Maha Shivaratri in February–March and the Shivaratri of Shravan in July–August bring Kanwariya pilgrims walking from Haridwar.