Shatrughan, the younger brother of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram, did penance for many years in Rishikesh's Muni Ki Reti. At a distance of 100 meters from the main highway in Muni ki Reti, there is an ancient temple of Shatrughan Bhagwan called Shatrughan Temple which was built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya in the 8th century. While going from the main highway towards Ram Jhula, this temple falls in the middle. In this temple, along with Lord Shatrughan, the idol of Lord Narayan in the quadrilateral form and Ram Darbar are also worshiped. Manoj Dwivedi, who has been serving this temple for the last five generations, told that in the olden days, the pilgrims going towards Chardham used to proceed only after visiting this temple. Shatrughan had meditated here, after which this place came to be called 'Maun ki Reti', which later became 'Muni ki Reti'. Right in front of the ancient Shatrughan temple is the Shatrughan Ghat, where every evening a grand aarti of Mother Ganga is performed. Shiva Tandava is recited before Ganga Aarti. The beauty around that makes its aarti more grand. This ghat is situated between Ramjhula and Janaki Setu. Mainly five priests perform Ganga aarti at this ghat, but since the Corona period, only three priests are currently performing the aarti. Shri Ganga Gau Seva Samiti conducts this aarti. At the time of Ganga Aarti, the Ram Jhula is lit up with lights on the left side, while the Janaki Setu on the right attracts the devotees.
