Ram Jhula - Neelkanth Mahadev Trail

Neelkantha Mahadev is a Temple in Rishikesh that is revered by tourists from all over the world and is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites for ages. The temple is open throughout the year for the pilgrims. According to the mythology, this is the site where Lord Shiva consumed poison after Samudra Manthan, which was one of the bi-products. After consuming the poison, Lord Shiva's throat turned blue, giving him the name NeelKanth, directly translating to "blue throat." The story of the Samudra Manthan is highlighted on the temple walls to honor the sacrifice made by Mahadev, the God of gods, for the world's well-being. Inside the temple is the famous Shivalin,ga before which the pilgrims bow in prayer. There is a sacred peepal tree on the premises of the temple as well, it is believed that if the pilgrims tie a thread around the trunk of the holy tree and pray from the bottom of their hearts, their souls will be purified, and their prayers will be answered. The trail starts from a Historic spot known as Ram Jhula, which is an iron suspension bridge over the river Ganges located right by Muni Ki Reti in Rishikesh at Uttarakhand. The bridge is designed similarly and uses the same technology as the more popular Lakshman Jhula. Travelers can get amazing views of the Ganges from the Ram Jhula and click amazing pictures of boats floating on it. There are many Hindu ashrams and religious centers like Gita Bhawan and Swargashram located close to Ram Jhula, along with many popular sites. Travelers can also enjoy boat rides from here for crossing the river. The trail enters Rajaji National Park to reach Garudachatti. The park marks the northern limits for the corridor of Asiatic elephants and also includes the Shivalik ranges and tiger conservation area, which is right by the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiast, apart from that, this park is home to leopards, deers, gharials, and a wide variety of birds and is known for its scenic beauty and rich bio-diversity. As this is a point-to-point trail, arranging for transportation and accommodations beforehand is recommended to avoid any hassle, or one can return to the same path that one came from.