Itharna Temple — Attraction in Rishikesh

Itharna Village is very unknow place only local people heard about this place, its a small village of few houses, Inter Collage and a Lord Shiva temple at the top of the mountain. I really wonder if there are still such virgin places left in Uttarakhand. People from lives in Dehradun, Rishikesh or even those who live in near cities and if you are looking for a untouched Himalaya, uncrowded place with your family and friends for Outing, you have to visit Itharna. Itharna is 55 km drive from Dehradun (Dehradun - Rajaji Park - Lachhiwala - Doiwala - Jollygrant - Thano - Ranipokhari - Bhogpur - Itharna ), 1 Hour drive from Rishikesh. For those who believe God, this is the place gave you the spiritual kind of peace. It is little bit crowded area during Shivratri Festival and the last monday in the month of SharaavanMas (Monsoon) and if you visit here in this those festival season, you got change to tasst best Bhang drink/Pakoda. During the peak summers, it will be very hot there during the day as the sun shines very brightly there but during the winters it will be a paradise.

“ You have several options, If you are faced with a mountain. You can dig under it. You can go around it. You can fly over it. You can climb it and cross to the other side. You can blow it up. You can ignore it and pretend it’s not there. You can turn around and go back the way you came. Or you can stay on the mountain and make it your home.” – Vera N. Detailed Itinerary

JOLLYGRANT TO THANO

I was little busy from last few week than I called up my friend who lives in Thano, that i am coming on 15th August's long weekend. So I took flight from Delhi to Dehradun, first I went to Doiwala and Jollygrant which is very close to Airport. Than I took a narrow road going through beautiful houses and farms after that we take 2km ride through jungle area to reach Thano and explore the farming whole day. The monsoon really change the environment and spread greenery everywhere. Rishikesh was bit crowded, so we skip that place. Early monring we had breakfast at Thano than he plan to show a place that I'm going to love, so we took ford from guarage and take ride to Itharna via Ranipokhri, Bhogpur etc. After 4km the mountains starts, which is really healthy green. The monsoon really change the atmosphere here like so much of greenery in hills. During monsoon the low light is big issue, road condition was good after crossing Bhogpur its awesome, the river is in full flow to make hills look like heaven. Those who live in cities and looking for a untouched Himalaya for family-friends Outing, need to visit Itharna village. This place is not suitable for beer parties because of narrow and winding roads. Carry your food because there is no shop closeby. Take your sports items for day outing as per requirement like football, badminton etc. For those who believe in the distroyer the Lord Shiva, this place will gave them a sort of spiritual kind of peace. Its very crowded during Shivratri and Monsoon Sharaavan mas. During the peak summers, it will be very hot there during the day as the sun shines very brightly there but during the winters it will...

I simply don't know where to start from. So let's start from the initial stage... If you're planning to visit a place you've never been to...local citizen and Google maps are the best combo to help you find your way. The path to that temple and the navigation is very simple, easy and straight. All you need to do search in Google and when you are struck ask the locals. Navigation is not that complex. Even if you know a little about about the place you won't face any problem sofa sofa so so far because locals are easily available to help you out there. Also as they say..it is not as much as the destination as it is the journey. The destination is awesome... but the journey, the road and viewa ar mesmerising. We went there a little after monsoon. So the mountains still had the fresh green coating and full if flora and fauna. The road initially was a little rough but when we went there they were still working on it..spni guess if someone us planning to visit this place now... Your journey will be a lot better. You cam go there by any means, 2/4 wheelers are all suitable so nothing to worry if you don't have a car. Though thhe road is not too wide but can manage two passing vehicles. The view is awesome. Below we saw a tiny river (but we heard it was monsoonal). Also there's beautiful view of valley and farming. Above we have the beautiful hills having amazing scenic beauty. Although you might face some rough patches on the road somewhere but on the whole it is good.

Now about the temple....and there I'm short of words. The temple arena is really big . Situated on the top of a plateau type hill, corner has the temple while the rest of the place is covered with grass creating a large field. Temple is well maintained and remains almost crowdless. So you can really have a good time. They have a large teen-shade cover so nobody has to worry about rain or bad weather. The temple is basically Mahadev's abode. But has other small Mahakali, Hanuman, Shani and Ram temple. The arena is clean and tidy and well maintained.

Now the outside field is whole another story!!.... Big wide field surrounded with higher hills from all sides. If you happen to visit this place in a cloudy day... believe me you'll be soo luckyy!! There's also a little artificial pond but it was empty when we visited. So I really don't know what is it for. If you want to have some quite quality time with nature and your family... this is the place. Going there in a cloudy day or in winters is the best time and best plan to have a picnic. Take all your necessary things like mat, food, water and a good camera because you will not want to miss to capture the scenic beauty. Although there were some shops below the temple but were closed when we visited. But maybe that was because of corona pemdemic... because that's when we went to that place in September.

So on the whole i can really not say enough about this place and the beauty and tranquility. Plzz refer to the photos for better...

Itharna is a small hemlet away from the city crowd and noise in the distrcit of Dehradun. The place is situated at about 55 km from the centre of the city.

The place is known for Neelkanth temple of lord Shiva primarily which is situated at about 2km from Itharna. Two other temples of lord Nagaraj and lord Hanuman are also there along with neelkanth temple.

How to Reach: The road is till the temple, you can go by either car or two wheeler. In two wheeler a bike or bullet is recommended while car can be either but a big size car is not recommended.

Places to eat : There is no big joint or resturant in Itharna but you can take snacks in shops adjacent to temple and some small Maggie points and tea points while going from the base of bhogpur road to itharna Neelkanth temple.

Best time to visit: The place can be visited during any season but it is very much optimum to go during rainy season. Sunset view is also very beautiful at this point.

Other Attraction: beautiful sunrise and sunset. A small pastureland, beauty 360 degree scenic view. Rural lifestyle and natural water streams commonly known as 'dhara' .

Cons : Road are not well constructed, improper light after sunset.

Recommended to go on time an come before the sun sets as the way is a bit scary if you are...