Shantinath Jain Shwetambar Temple (Derasar)
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Shri Shantinath Jain Shwetambar Mandir is a serene derasar (Jain temple) tucked into the Doctor Colony lanes off Hira Lal Marg, just behind Railway Road and within easy walking distance of Triveni Ghat in the heart of Rishikesh. It is dedicated to Bhagwan Shantinath, the sixteenth of Jainism's twenty-four Tirthankaras — the enlightened teachers who, in the Jain tradition, showed the path across the ocean of worldly existence. Shantinath's name means "Lord of Peace," and his emblem is the deer; devotees associate him especially with tranquillity and the vow of non-violence (ahimsa) that lies at the centre of Jain life. In a town famous for its Hindu ghats, ashrams and the roar of the Ganga, this quiet temple adds a distinct and often-overlooked Jain devotional presence.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦The temple's own bhojanshala (Jain community kitchen) – when open to visitors, it serves simple satvik vegetarian meals, often cooked without onion and garlic; timings are limited, so ask at the temple.
- ✦Triveni Ghat thali and chaat stalls (a few minutes' walk) – Rishikesh is a fully vegetarian town by law, so the ghat-side eateries are pure-veg; pick a busy, freshly-cooked counter.
- ✦Railway Road sweet shops and vegetarian dhabas – dependable for kachori-sabzi, chole and mithai; entirely vegetarian neighbourhood, but confirm freshness at the counter.
- ✦Chotiwala (Rishikesh) – a long-running pure-vegetarian institution known for thalis; the main branches are across the river near Swarg Ashram, an auto or short river-crossing away.
About
Shri Shantinath Jain Shwetambar Mandir is a serene derasar (Jain temple) tucked into the Doctor Colony lanes off Hira Lal Marg, just behind Railway Road and within easy walking distance of Triveni Ghat in the heart of Rishikesh.
- It is dedicated to Bhagwan Shantinath, the sixteenth of Jainism's twenty-four Tirthankaras — the enlightened teachers who, in the Jain tradition, showed the path across the ocean of worldly existence.
- Shantinath's name means "Lord of Peace," and his emblem is the deer; devotees associate him especially with tranquillity and the vow of non-violence (ahimsa) that lies at the centre of Jain life.
- In a town famous for its Hindu ghats, ashrams and the roar of the Ganga, this quiet temple adds a distinct and often-overlooked Jain devotional presence.
- The shrine follows the Shwetambar tradition, one of Jainism's two major sects, whose idols are typically depicted with inlaid eyes and adornment.
- The mulnayak (principal idol) is a marble image of Shantinath seated in the meditative padmasana posture, installed in a small, well-kept sanctum.
- The interior is understated rather than grand — carved stonework, soft lamplight and the hush that Jain temples cultivate so that worshippers can perform darshan and quiet contemplation.
- A community complex around the derasar reportedly includes an upashray (hall for monks and religious study), a dharamshala for pilgrim lodging and a bhojanshala serving simple vegetarian meals, making it a modest hub for Jain families passing through Rishikesh and the wider Char Dham circuit.
- For all visitors, regardless of faith, a few Jain temple customs apply and are worth knowing in advance.
- Remove shoes before entering, and — importantly for Jain shrines — leave behind leather items such as belts, wallets and bags, since leather is considered incompatible with the temple's ahimsa ethos.
- Dress modestly, keep your voice low, and ask before photographing the sanctum.
- Menstruating women, by convention, do not enter the inner shrine.
- The temple keeps its own devotional rhythm with morning and evening rituals, and typically observes a long midday closure.
- For vegetarian travellers, Rishikesh could hardly be easier: the entire city is vegetarian and alcohol-free by law, so every eatery around Triveni Ghat and Railway Road is pure-veg by default.
- The Jain community kitchen here, when open to visitors, leans satvik — often cooked without onion and garlic in keeping with Jain dietary discipline — and the surrounding lanes brim with thali houses, chaat stalls and sweet shops.
- A visit pairs naturally with the evening Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat, only minutes away on foot.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
20, Hira Lal Marg, Doctor Colony, behind Railway Road (near Triveni Ghat), Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249201
How to Reach: 20, Hira Lal Marg, Doctor Colony, behind Railway Road, near Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh. It is a 5–10 minute walk from Triveni Ghat and the Railway Road market. From Rishikesh (Yog Nagari) railway station it is roughly 2 km; an auto-rickshaw costs about ₹50–80. The nearest major railhead is Haridwar (~25 km) and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant (Dehradun), reported around 20–35 km depending on route. Autos and shared vikrams run through the Railway Road area; the final lanes are narrow, so the last stretch is best done on foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the timings of Shantinath Jain Shwetambar Temple in Rishikesh?
The derasar is reported to open roughly from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, but like most Jain temples it usually closes for a long midday break (approximately 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM). Timings vary between listings, so it is best to visit in the early morning or early evening and confirm the current hours locally or by phone before you go.
Is there an entry fee for the Shantinath Jain temple?
No, entry is free. As an active Jain place of worship it is open to visitors of all faiths at no charge. Donations toward temple upkeep are voluntary.
How do I reach the Shantinath Jain Shwetambar Mandir?
It sits at 20, Hira Lal Marg in Doctor Colony, behind Railway Road, near Triveni Ghat in central Rishikesh. It is a 5–10 minute walk from Triveni Ghat, about 2 km from Rishikesh (Yog Nagari) railway station (auto-rickshaw ₹50–80), around 25 km from Haridwar railway station, and roughly 20–35 km from Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. The final lanes are narrow, so the last stretch is easiest on foot.
What are the rules for visiting a Jain temple here?
Remove your shoes before entering and, importantly, leave behind all leather items — belts, wallets, bags and watches with leather straps — as leather conflicts with the temple's principle of non-violence (ahimsa). Dress modestly, keep quiet during rituals, and ask permission before photographing the sanctum. By convention, the inner shrine is entered barefoot and with a respectful, calm demeanour.
Who is Shantinath and why is this temple special?
Shantinath is the sixteenth of Jainism's twenty-four Tirthankaras — the enlightened teachers of the faith — and his name means 'Lord of Peace.' The temple's marble idol shows him seated in meditation in the Shwetambar style. The derasar is special because it adds a quiet, well-kept Jain devotional presence to Rishikesh, a city otherwise known for its Hindu ghats and ashrams, and it serves the local and travelling Jain community with an upashray, dharamshala and community kitchen.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the temple?
The whole of Rishikesh is vegetarian and alcohol-free by law, so every eatery nearby is pure-veg. The temple's own bhojanshala serves simple satvik meals (often without onion and garlic) when open to visitors. A short walk away, the Triveni Ghat stalls and Railway Road sweet shops and dhabas offer thalis, chaat and mithai, and the long-established Chotiwala restaurant across the river is a classic pure-vegetarian thali stop.
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