Neelkanth Mahadev, one of the most important Shiva temples in Uttarakhand, sits in the forested hills above Rishikesh. It makes an easy half-day trip from Alpine Retreat in Tapovan.
By road
The temple is roughly 30 km from Rishikesh by a winding hill road through the forest, usually 1 to 1.5 hours each way by taxi or shared jeep. We can arrange a cab from the hotel; leave early to avoid the midday rush.
On foot
A traditional footpath climbs from the Swarg Ashram side of the river through the forest. It’s a long, steep walk of several hours each way, so start early, carry water and wear proper shoes. Many people walk up and take a jeep back.
When to go
- Early mornings on weekdays are the calmest.
- During the month of Shravan (July–August) and the Kanwar Yatra, the temple and roads are extremely crowded and traffic rules change. Plan around it unless you’re coming for the festival.
- Mahashivratri brings large crowds too.
Good to know
- Leather items, shoes and phones may have to be left outside the inner shrine.
- There are small eateries and prasad stalls near the temple.
- Pair it with the evening Ganga aarti for a full day.
More day trips and treks from here are in treks and trips from Rishikesh, and the pilgrim routes into the high Himalaya are in our Uttarakhand packages.
