Shri Nileshwar Mahadev Temple

Haridwar or the Gateway to Hari (Lord Vishnu) is one of the holiest places in India for a multitude of reasons. It is the place where spirituality meets history to create a magnificent experience for everyone. As the Ganga River makes its way down to the plains from her mountain abode Haridwar is the spot where she touches the plains for the first time. Dotted with ashrams and temples and lined with ancient, well-maintained, and grand Ghats, Haridwar attracts spiritual seekers and religious devotees from across the globe. Its proximity to its twin holy town of Rishikesh which is just a couple minutes of road distance away is another important place of spirituality. There are numerous Shiva temples all over in Haridwar and Rishikesh, one such important palace of Shiva worship in Haridwar is the Nileshwar Mahadev Temple.

About Shri Nileshwar Mahadev Mandir

Located on a hillock of Nil Parvat, Nileshwar Mahadev is one of the most important and holy places of Shiva worship in Haridwar and Rishikesh combined. Its proximity to the Chandi Devi Temple that is also located on these hills makes it a must-include in your Haridwar temple tour plan. The presiding deity of Lord Shiva at the Nileshwar Mahadev Temple is worshipped as the lord and protector of the Nil Parvat. Not only is the temple considered to be extremely powerful but it also offers astounding and some of the most breathtaking views of the immaculate natural beauty all around. The view will also give you a brand new perspective to Haridwar. It is definitely a must visit and will not take up a lot of your time but will be totally worth the experience.

History

The temple holds a lot of importance in the life of Shaivites. The history of this temple dates back to the Sat Yug. The holy matrimony of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place at the Triyuginarayan temple in Uttarakhand. Nileshwar Mahadev Temple is the place where the wedding party of Lord Shiva had stopped over for some time before heading on to the highest temple in the world at Triyuginarayan temple. Other than this, Lord Shiva is also believed to have stayed here for years and years. The fact that Lord Shiva had resided here makes it an immensely powerful temple that is frequented by Shiva devotees from all over the world.

Architecture

Located at a distance of just 1 km away from the main temple of Mata Chandi Devi by road, the temple can be teamed up with a visit to the holy Chandi Devi Mandir. The temple is constructed in a traditional style of Indian temple architecture and is a humble place. On entrance you will be greeted by a Nandi bull statue and wide open spaces for you to sit down, move around or just spend some time. The Garbha Griha of the temple houses a Shivling, that is believed to be self-created and another Nandi bull statue. There is also a large assembly hall just before the Garbhagriha, where devotees gather to celebrate several festivals and holy occasions.

Temple Timing

The temple timings for the temple is from 6 am to 8 pm.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Neeleshwar Mahadev Temple is from the months of October to April. This is the time when the weather remains clear to head out and go exploring without worrying about the weather conditions. Avoid travelling to the hills during the monsoon months of July to September as the region remains susceptible to sudden flash floods and landslide situations. Another best time to travel to the Neeleshwar Mahadev Temple in Haridwar is during some festival or special occasion related to Lord Shiva.

How to Reach

The Neeleshwar Mahadev Temple is easily accessible by road. People can include it in their visit to the Chandi Devi Temple. People can easily reach the temple via the roadways connecting everywhere within the city. The nearest railway station to Haridwar is the Haridwar railway station that connects various other cities to this holy place. If you are travelling from Delhi you can hire a cab service, taxi service or a bus service to reach the temple. The temple is located just about 1 km away from the Chandi Devi Temple which is frequented by Devi devotees throughout the year.

Travel Tips

• Remember to only go to Haridwar when it is the best time to visit. The weather conditions should be on top of the priority list for travelling to the temple.
• Make sure to wear appropriate clothing as it is a holy place of worship and you wouldn’t want to hurt the local’s religious sentiments.
• There are a limited number of eating joints and shops nearby so make sure to carry your own water bottle and some snacks to enjoy on the way.
• Remember that the entrance to the temple is totally free and does not require any entry ticket.