Unique Bara Manzil Temple, Rishikesh

Trayambakeshwar Temple and Laxman Jhoola

Rishikesh, a town in Dehradun district of the Indian state, Uttarakhand is not only a popular tourist spot for fun-loving people, but is also an important pilgrimge center for the ardent Hindus. Located in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas, the very name Rishikesh is synonymous with spirituality, yoga and and Hindu temples. It is often referred to as the Yoga capital of the world. There are many worth-seeing places around this town and it is a paradise for people who love out door adventures like, hiking, etc. The Himalayas on one side, this place offers countless breath-taking natural scenery  ideal for people to meditate. For several centuries Rishikesh has been known as one of holiest places for the Hindus. Haridwar, yet another holy city, is just 25 km  from here. Rishikesh and Haridwar will be the first in India to be given the title of "twin national heritage cities". Bear in mind in view of the religious importance of this place, non-vegetarian food and alcohol  are strictly prohibited in Rishikesh.

The temples in Rishikesh are  quite interesting and are crowded You can see devotees  chanting  and humming mantras. For the people who go on a yatra of Char Dham of Uttarakhand, Rishikesh  is  a sacred stopover for the pilgrims. Parmarth Niketan Temple, Nilkanth Mahadev, Bharat Mandir, etc., are known for the  serenity and sanctity. The Ganga River, considered as the holiest river in Hindu belief, is not polluted here and it enhances the divinity of the shrines here. 

Bara Manzil temple, Rishikesh. Travel India ,bharat darshan

Of particular interest to us is the Bara Manzil temple - 12 story tall structure. Located in Lakshman Jula near the suspended bridge, lots of people visit this temple. An interesting feature of this temple is each floor has several shrines dedicated to god and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. In the Hindu temples of South India the various deities including the main one  are on the ground floor itself. Invariably such shrines are built around the Garbagraha or Srikovil (Sanctum). The temple here has lots of bells and devotees ring the bell as they move upward. One can access up to the top floor. There are corridors of small room on some floors with three gods . As you climb, each floor is lined with statues and idols of gods and goddesses. On some floors, there are shops where, besides religious items, one can get bangles, gift items, etc.

Bara Manzil temple, Rishikesh. TripAdvisor

The main shrine Neelakanth Shiva is on the ground floor. Among the subshrines noted deities are Lord Vishnu on the recoiled bed of Aadi Sesha, Lakshmi, Dharmarai, Yama seated on buffalo, Sri Krishna, Radha and Balaram, Goddess Saraswati with Veena. Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati (three rivers), Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshman and hanuman, Lord Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Brama, Vishnu and Shiva. You may also find other deities.

On the first floor: Bhavani, Uma, Hemavati, Yamuna, Kalyani seated on lion, Sri Krishna holding disc (ckaradari), Brahmi, Hanuman and others. On the second floor: Brahma, Lakshmi Narayan, Bhairavi, Kali, Sri Balaji, Santhoshi Mata, Panchamuki Gayatri, Panchamuki Shiva and others. On the third floor: Veerabadra, Bhuwaneswari, Vishu, Shiva linga and Nandi, Shivalinga and Markanyaya, Makeshasura mardhini and others.
On the fouth floor: Pasupati - Shivalinga with five heads, Shivalinga and Shiva as Arthanareswara, episode depicting the birth of Drupadi. On the fifth  floor: shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. On the sixth  floor: Ambikeswara and Shiva in the form of Mahadeva. On the seventh floor: Shrines dedicated to Shiva and an episode of avatar of Ganga. On eight floor: Shrines dedicated to Shiva . Mallikarjuna. On the nineth floor: Shrines deicated to Shiva (Mahadev). On tenth floor: The shine of trayambakeswarar Mahadev.

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