According to locals Bharat Mandir is the very old temple of Rishikesh built by the Adi Shankaracharya. This 9th century temple has the deity of Lord Vishnu carved out of one black stone popular as Saligram, and is placed within the inner chambers of the temple. the first temple was said to possess been destroyed in 1398 AD. The spring festival is celebrated in Basant Panchami over here.