Information of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Rishikesh, Kotdwar, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is very beautiful shrine of Lord Shiva. This temple has got many mythical values in it. It is one of the important temples to be visited in the Himalayan pilgrim circuit taken by the Hindus. This temple is found in the midst of beautiful valleys and rivers on the Nar-Narayan Mountain ranges which are at an altitude of 1330 above the mean sea level. It is divinely located 32 km from Rishikesh on Kotdwar - Pauri Rd, Kotdwar in Pauri Garhwal District of Uttarakhand State in India. This region comes under the lower Himalayan belts.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Religious Significance

Here Lord Shiva is worshiped as Neelkanth. This temple is believed to be a mythical place for the Samudramanthan. Many devotees do come here to get such immortal values by praying Lord Shiva. He is considered as Supreme Being and that why the poisons of Samudramanthan dint affected him. This temple is adorned by all sects of Hindus and mostly visited in the Himalayan pilgrim circuit. A natural spring is found near this temple and the devotees usually get a dip in it before coming to this temple. This temple is also situated on the river confluence of Madhumati and Pankaja. As per the Hindus taking bath in the river confluence is bliss.

Festival at Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

The Maha Shivarathri is the main festival conducted in Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. This is celebrated very grandly by its villagers. This festival is also visited by many devotees from all over India on this special day. On this occasion a special ritual is performed to Lord Shiva. This ritual goes on from the day and night of the Shivarathri and ends up in the next day morning of Shivarathri. The women devotees keep penance on this special day and attend the temple rituals.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Mythology & History

As per the mythological beliefs of the Hinduism, this temple place is the precise location where Lord Shiva drank the poison of Samudramanthan or the process of making ambrosia where poison comes first. In the ancient times the devils and gods tried to make ambrosia from stirring the sea water. Initially the poison emerged out and it was not able to stir the ambrosia. Here Maha Vishnu asked the help of Lord Shiva and he agreed to drink this poison. This is the place where he drank the poison and his wife Parvathi caught his neck by her hand so that the poison may not enter inside his body. Very soon his throat area becomes blue in color because of this poison. Since then he was called NeelaKhantan or the person with blur color throat. After this event the demons and the gods were able to stir ambrosia from the sea and it was transported by the Garuda a kind of vulture to Kailas Mountains for Lord Shiva.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Architectural Significance

This temple was built by a Sage named Mekh Chand. This is a very rear temple structure to see in the Himalayas in the Dravidian Architectural pattern. This is a very colorful temple to look. It has a Gopura or the main tower which is raised high in a tiered way in pyramid style. On these towers there are lots of motifs and Friezes carved. These are having tiny and medium sculptors carved around this tower depicting the event of Samudramanthan. The main sanctum sanctorum is just done under this main tower. The primary deity is found in the Linga form and is carved out of ebony black stone. The main entrance is a porch structure with four beautiful carved pillars. Nearby this temple a natural spring is found which is still perennial. The entire temple is painted in multicolor and looks very unique with colored sculptors on this temple tower.