Haridwar is a hub of spiritual bliss. Numerous temples, Spiritual retreats, Ashrams and Ghats adorn the land of Haridwar. It is said that your pilgrimage tour in India is incomplete if you haven’t visited the holy shores of Haridwar. It is indeed the best destination for pilgrimage tourism in India. Tourists from all over the world come to Haridwar to pay homage to the divine deities of the sacred temples. The essence of Haridwar is difficult to explain in words, you must visit here to discover the soul of the city.
Haridwar – The Heart of India Pilgrimage Tourism
Haridwar is the heart of Indian Pilgrimage Tourism. It is one of the most ancient temple towns of India. In Hindu religion, it is one of the seventh sacred religious sites in India. It is a land where for the very first time the holy river Ganga originated. Located at the foothills of Himalayas, it is a ‘gateway to gods. It is a land where the journey of attaining Moksha and divine peace starts as it is a gateway to the holy circuit of Char Dham circuit of Uttarakhand. Char Dham Yatra is one of the most prominent pilgrimage tours for Hindu Devotees. If you are travelling to Haridwar then it is the best decision of your life. Here you will feel the bliss of divine presence wherever you look. Drops of spirituality and serenity oozes from the sacred temples, Ashrams and the divine Ghats. It is also one of the most popular weekend getaways near Delhi.
Haridwar holds a great universal value for India as well as tourists. The land of Haridwar is deep rooted in culture and traditions of the age-old Vedic times. Here every morning and evening has a divine and blissful vibe as you will witness the Ganga Aarti of Ganga Ghat and the temple bells and chanting of priests will soothe your soul.
The sight of the evening Aarti at Ganga Ghat is quite ethereal. It is said that a drop of the holy nectar of gods (Amrita) spilled over from the Kumbha which was carried by Garuda (the vehicle of Lord Vishnu). Haridwar has always been a popular point of tourist interest due to the presence of the most sacred and divine temples and Ghats.
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Popular Tourist Attractions in Haridwar
- Har Ki Pauri- In the banks of the river Ganga, you will witness the stunning beauty of Har ki Pauri. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Haridwar. It is the exit place of the holy river Ganga from the mountains. It is also believed that in the brahmakund area of Har ki Pauri the nectar of the gods (Amrit) fell on earth. Ganga Aarti is the center of attraction of Har Ki Pauri.
- Mansa Devi Temple- Mansa Devi Temple is situated in Bilwa Parvat near Haridwar. Mansa Devi Temple is the major pilgrimage tourist destination in Haridwar. The temple is dedicated to goddess Mansa Devi who is a form of goddess Shakti. It is one of the most famous Sidhpeeth.
- Patanjali Yogpeeth- It is a medical and research institute of Yoga and Ayurveda in Haridwar. It is a very popular destination in Haridwar for Yoga and recreation of body and soul through Ayurveda. If you are looking forward to having a healthy mind and body then you must visit Patanjali Yogpeeth.
- Daksha Mahadev Temple– Daksha Mahadev Temple is also known as Daksheshwar Temple. It is a must visit religious tourist attraction in Haridwar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees from all over the world visit Daksha Mahadev Temple to get divine peace. The temple is named after Daksha Prajapati who was a father of Goddess Sati.
- Bharat Mata Mandir– It is the most visited tourist attraction in Haridwar. Bharat Mata Mandir was built to respect all the freedom fighters and patriots who fought for the freedom of India. It was inaugurated by our Late Indian Prime Minister, Smt Indira Gandhi in 1983. It was established by Swami Satyamitra and Giri. It is an eight-storey temple dedicated to various deities and legends.
- Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple– Bilkeshwar Mahadev is the most popular tourist spot in Haridwar. It is located near Haridwar Railway Station. It is also one of the most popular weekend getaways in Haridwar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. You will be stunned by the beautiful hills and woods all around the temple.
- Shankar Ashram- For a spiritual retreat Shankar Ashram is the best place to visit in Haridwar. Apart from Yoga and meditation, pranic healing and Ayurvedic massage therapy will rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. It is the best place to relax and refresh yourself from the chaos of the world.
- Gau Ghat- Gau Ghat is one of the best tourist destinations to visit in Haridwar. Cow is also known as Kamdhenu who can fulfill all your wishes and desires of life. Tourists in Gau Ghat reach Gau Ghat for penance for their sin for killing cows. It is also a place for the people to offer peace to their loved ones.
- Doodhadhari Barfani Temple– It is 4km away from Har Ki Pauri and one of the best tourist destinations to visit in Haridwar. It is very popular for its mind-boggling architecture. It is decked in Pristine white marble and the interior of the temple looks graceful with the divine images of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman.
- Parad shivling- One must visit Parad Shivling to get divine grace from Lord Shiva. Parad means mercury and Shivling signifies Lord Shiva. Parad Shivling is located in Harihar Ashram Complex. It also houses the temple of Maha Mrityunjaya and the age-old Rudraksha Tree which has healing powers.
- Sati Kund- It is one of the popular tourist attractions in Haridwar. Sati Kund finds mention in a Great Indian Epic Mahabharata. It is said that Goddess Sati immolated herself in a fire Kund because her father Daksha Prajapati didn’t accept her husband Lord Shiva. It still stands in pride revealing the age-old story of the deities.
Top Things to Do in Haridwar
- Ganga Ghat and Ganga Aarti- Take a holy dip in the holy ghat of Ganga and be a part of the divine Ganga Aarti in the evening. You will witness the priests holding a large fire bowl in their hands and the temple bells and chanting will teleport you into the world of spiritual bliss.
- Temple Trails- The temples in Haridwar are the heart of Haridwar Tourism. It is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations to visit in India. Maya Devi Temple, Chandi Temple, Mansa Devi Temple, Bharat Mata Temple are some of the prominent temples to visit in Haridwar.
- Ashrams– Haridwar is a perfect destination to relax your body. There are numerous spiritual retreats and Ashrams for yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic healing and massage. You must visit the Ashrams in Haridwar to fine tune your spirit.
- Cuisines- Try lip-smacking delicious cuisines in Haridwar. Aloo Puri at Mohanji Puriwale and Kachoris of Kashyap Kachori Wala are very popular street foods to try at Haridwar.
- Shopping- Haridwar is also a shopper’s paradise. Visit Bara Bazar, Moti Bazar and Jwalapur markets to satisfy your shopper soul. Shopping is one of the best things to do in Haridwar.
- Jungle Safari – Jungle Safari is the best thing to do in Haridwar if you are a nature lover and a wildlife enthusiast. Rajaji National Park is a hub of pristine wilderness and exotic wildlife. Spot wild elephants and other wild animals and it is also a best place for wildlife photography.
- Trekking- Trekking will give you a thrilling experience in Haridwar. Some of the prominent treks are Auden Col’s a Pass, Roopkund Lake Trek, Kalindi Khal Trek etc.
Top Interesting Facts About Haridwar
- In Hindu Religion, the city of Haridwar is one of the seven sacred pilgrimage tourist destinations.
- Haridwar is the first place to welcome the holy river of Ganga from the Himalayas.
- Haridwar is one of the most important religious destinations to host Kumbh Mela Festival apart from Allahabad, Ujjain and Nashik.
- Har Ki Pauri holds a great religious and spiritual value. It means the foot paths of Lord Shiva. It is the entrance point of the holy river Ganga.
- Haridwar houses the best Yoga Ashrams in the world. Tourists from all over the world visit Haridwar to rejuvenate their soul. The world famous Patanjali Yogpeeth is situated in Haridwar.
- If you have any wish or desire, you must visit Chanda Devi temple. It is said that the temple of Chanda Devi is a wish fulfilling temple.
- In the 13th century Emperor Ibrahim Lodi constructed a Dargah named Piran Kaliyar, it is said that all your wishes and desires will be fulfilled with the mystical powers of Dargah.
- The rarest Shivling of Haridwar is the Shivling of Pardeshwar Mahadev. The shivling is made up of mercury which is very rare.
- Shanti Kunj of Haridwar is the birthplace of herbal and Ayurvedic sources.
- There are many temples in Haridwar but you must visit the Panch Tirthas- Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, Maya Devi Temple, Har Ki Pauri, and Shri Chintamani Parswanath Jain Temple. Without visiting these temples your Journey in Haridwar is incomplete.
Haridwar Travel Tips
- If you are visiting Haridwar then don’t miss the divine
- Ganga Aarti in the evening.
- Photography of temples is strictly prohibited. Please respect the decorum of the temple and follow all the rules outlined by the temple authorities.
- Haridwar is not a place where you can smoke, drink and eat non-veg food. It is a religious place and alcoholic beverages or non-veg food are a big No.
- Always dress decently, especially in covered clothes if you are in a temple.
- Keep your belongings safe as Haridwar is a crowded place.
- Follow all the government outlined Covid 19 Guidelines.
Best Time to Visit Haridwar
Every season has its own charm in Haridwar. Be it summer or winter. Haridwar is the best destination to visit in India. In Fact, it is a very popular weekend Getaway.
- Summer Season in Haridwar – Summer starts from March and ends in June. The temperature ranges from 18°C to 40°C. The weather remains hot during the day time and cool at night. It is the best time to enjoy some of the prominent festivals like Ram Navami, Magh Mela and Budh Poornima.
- Winter Season in Haridwar- Winter in Haridwar starts from October and ends in February. The weather is quite chilly and pleasant to explore tourist attractions in Haridwar. The temperature ranges from 6°C to 20°C. It is the best time to visit Haridwar. Enjoy the festival of Diwali and Kartik Poornima during this time.
- Monsoon Season in Haridwar – Monsoon in Haridwar starts from July to September. You will witness heavy rainfall during this time. Some of the tourist destinations might get closed due to heavy downpours. It is not a favorable time to visit in Haridwar. However, if you are planning to visit Haridwar in Monsoon, please check the weather forecast.
How to Reach Haridwar?
- By Air- Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport which is well connected to the major cities. From Delhi you can easily get flights for Haridwar. From the airport, a taxi or a cab will take you to the desired destinations.
- By Train- Haridwar has a well-connected railway network. You can get trains on a regular basis from major cities to reach Haridwar. You can take Shatabdi express, Jan Shatabdi express, Mussoorie express to reach Haridwar from Delhi.
- By Road– Haridwar can be easily accessible by roads. You will get regular buses from Delhi to reach Haridwar. ISBT Kashmiri gate is the best place to get buses to reach Haridwar from Delhi. Haridwar is also connected to NH58.
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Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
Q. What are the top tourist attractions to visit in Haridwar?
The top tourist attractions to visit in Haridwar are –
- Har Ki Pauri
- Chandi Devi Temple
- Mansa Devi Temple
- Bharat Mata Temple
- Ganga Ghat
- Patanjali Yogpeeth
- Sati Kund
- Daksh Mahadev Temple
- Parad Shivling
- Gau Ghat
- Doodhadhari Barfani Temple
Q. Why is Haridwar a famous tourist Destination?
Haridwar is very popular for its religious pilgrimage. The city is decked with age-old temples, divine Ghats and Ashrams. Haridwar was originally known as Kapila because of a sage who once lived here. The meaning of Hari is Vishnu and Dwar means Door. Haridwar is a gateway of God. It is a gateway to start your Char Dham Yatra. The journey of Moksha and attaining divine peace is incomplete without visiting Haridwar. It is a must visit Pilgrimage destination in India.
Q. How is the food and accommodation facility in Haridwar?
Haridwar caters to the needs of all kinds of Tourists. Be it a solo traveler, backpacker, family or couples. There is a plethora of accommodation facilities in Haridwar, from five-star, luxury to budget and homestays, you will be able to get a good accommodation at desired price. There is no dearth of Restaurants also where you can enjoy delicious cuisines.
Q. Is Haridwar safe for solo women travelers?
Yes, Haridwar is absolutely safe for solo women travelers. Haridwar is a religious place. So, always dress decently at religious places. It’s not about the place as anything can happen anywhere. One should always be cautious about themselves and their belongings.
Q. If you are on a day trip in Haridwar, how would you spend your day?
- Visit Har ki Pauri
- Chandi devi Temple
- Patanjali yogpeeth
- Mansa Devi Temple
- Ganga Aarti
- Bara Bazar
- Moti Bazar
Q. What are the three Siddha Peethas of Haridwar?
The three Siddha Peethas of Haridwar are-
- Mansa Devi Temple
- Chandi Devi Temple
- Maya Devi Temple
Q. What are the must visit 5 Haridwar Pilgrimage sites which are also known as Panch Tirtha?
- Har Ki Pauri
- Bilwa Teerth
- Mansa Devi Temple
- Chandi Devi Temple
- Kankhal Ghats
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