About Haridwar
Haridwar is one of Hinduism's seven Sapta Puri (sacred cities) and the point where the Ganga emerges from the Himalayan foothills. One of the world's busiest pilgrimage cities (5+ crore visitors annually), it is the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra and venue of the Kumbh Mela every 12 years. The nightly Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri — conducted by multiple priests to conches, bells, and Sanskrit chants, with hundreds of lamps reflected in the river — is one of the most overwhelming ritual spectacles in India.
Places to See
• Har Ki Pauri Ghat (holiest ghat, Vishnu footprint, nightly Ganga Aarti at sunset)
• Mansa Devi Temple (cable car, Shivalik Hills, panoramic city views)
• Chandi Devi Temple (cable car from Neeldhara, ancient shakti shrine)
• Maya Devi Temple (ancient Shakti Peetha)
• Daksha Mahadev Temple (mythologically significant)
• Sapt Rishi Ashram (Ganga splits into seven streams)
• Bharat Mata Mandir (eight-storeyed tribute to Mother India)
Bara Bazar (Ayurvedic herbs, Gangajal, religious items)
How to Reach
Rail: Haridwar Junction — Shatabdi from Delhi (214 km, 4.5 hrs). Air: Jolly Grant, Dehradun (35 km). Road: Delhi → Haridwar via NH-58 (214 km, ~4.5 hrs). Overnight Volvo buses from Delhi ISBT.
Tips
Ganga Aarti time varies seasonally (~5:45–7:00 PM). Arrive 45 min early. Secure electronics carefully — pickpocketing is very common on the ghats. Float only biodegradable diyas. The 5 AM ghat walk before crowds is Haridwar's most peaceful experience.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Haridwar depends on the experience you seek.
