Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

According to the Samudra Manthan legend from Hindu mythology, when the gods and demons churned the cosmic ocean, a deadly poison (halahala) emerged alongside its treasures. To save creation, Lord Shiva drank the poison and held it in his throat, which is said to have turned blue as a result — hence "Neelkanth," the blue-throated one. This temple, perched at the confluence of the Madhumati and Pankaja streams in the hills above Rishikesh, marks the spot where tradition holds this happened. The temple itself is relatively modest, but its setting — dense forest, a winding hill road, and a genuinely remote, unhurried atmosphere compared to the busier ghats in town — is a large part of the appeal. It draws a mix of pilgrims (especially heavy crowds during Shravan month and Maha Shivratri) and travellers who simply want a half-day trip into the hills. Fitter visitors often trek up via forest trails from Ram Jhula rather than driving, turning the visit into a half-day hike with the temple as the reward at the top.