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One of the oldest and the most revered temples in the entire city, Shri Bharat Mandir is dedicated to Lord Hrishikesh Narayan. This glorious temple has several mythological stories behind it. For instance, it is believed that the Pandavas, on their way to heaven, stayed at this temple and worshipped Lord Hrishikesh. It is also believed that at one point when Lord Buddha visited the temple, it was converted into a monastery for a few years. Fascinating, isn’t it?
It is the most ancient, most sacred & most famous temple situated at the heart of the city. It is believed that city’s existence came into being with this temple only. In about 789 A.D on the auspicious day of Basant Panchmi, Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya reinstalled the presiding deity in the temple. On this day every year the Shaligram is taken for a holy bath in the scared Mayakund and then carried in a grand procession through the city to be taken back to the temple for the symbolic reinstallation. It is also believed that if any pilgrim on the day of Akshya Tritiya takes 108 parikarmas(rounds) of Lord Shri Hrishikesh
Naranyan at this temple and seeks the blessing at his feet (it is only day when Lord’s feet are uncovered), all his wishes are fullfilled and it is equivalent to the piligrimage to Badrinath
The temple is mentioned in Vishnu Puran, Shrimadbhagwat, Mahabharat, Vaman Puran & Narsingh Puran, Lord Hrishikesh known as Shri Bharatji Maharaj is different from Lord Rama’s younger brother Bharat. Is known by the name of Bharat because he is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Kaliyuga, the preserving force holding Shankh, Chakra, Gada & Padam in his four hands.
Popular Myths
It is said that the five Pandavas along with Draupadi visited here on their way to heavan. Having stayed here for some period and performed worship of Lord Hirishikesh Narayan.
During the reign of Ashoka, the great (232BC 276BC), the 4RAT Boddha religion spread to the hills also. Lord Buddha himself visited here. All the temples of this region were converted into Boddha monasteries. This temple was no exception to this. On excavation, the piece of statue found here is said to be of Lord Buddha. This statue is still is kept under the old Banayan tree before the temple.
Location: Ghat Road, Mayakund, Rishikesh
Timing: 5 AM – 12 PM; 4 PM – 9 PM; All Days
