Rishikesh Neelkanth Mahadev Temple: The holy month of Sawan is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Special worship is done in Shiva temples all over India, but the significance of the Neelkanth Mahadev temple located in the foothills of the Himalayas is different. This temple is located on the Manikot mountain, about 32 km from Rishikesh, in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. Every year on the occasion of Sawan, lakhs of Shiva devotees reach here for darshan and Jalabhishek.

The history of the temple is linked to the legend.
The legend associated with the Neelkanth Mahadev temple is very famous. According to the belief, when the sea was churned, along with the nectar, a deadly poison "Halahal" also came out. This poison was so poisonous that it could lead to the destruction of the entire creation. None of the gods and demons were ready to accept it. Then Lord Shiva drank that poison himself to protect the entire universe.
It is said that as soon as Shiva consumed Halahal, Mother Parvati held his throat, so that the poison neither went inside nor came out of him. The poison got stuck in his throat, due to which his throat turned blue. Since then, he was named "Neelkanth". The place where this incident happened is today worshipped as Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
Lord Shiva was absorbed in Samadhi.
Mythological belief also tells that due to the intensity and heat of the poison, Lord Shiva moved towards the Himalayas in search of coolness and sat under a tree at the confluence of Madhumati and Pankaja rivers on Manikut mountain and got absorbed in meditation. He remained absorbed in Samadhi for years. Mother Parvati also sat there and waited for him to come out of meditation. When Shiva ended Samadhi, this place was named "Neelkanth Dham".
There is a crowd of lakhs of Kanwadis in Sawan
The religious importance of this temple increases even more in the month of Shravan. Lakhs of Kanwariyas from all over the country reach here with Gangajal and perform Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva. It is believed that visiting this temple on Monday of Sawan gives special virtue and paves the way to salvation.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is not only a center of religious faith, but it is also a popular place for tourists coming to Rishikesh. Reaching this temple through difficult mountain paths and lush green forests is itself an exciting experience.
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