HARIDWAR
About Haridwar

Haridwar (or Hardwar) means 'The Gateway to the Gods', is an important pilgrimage center situated in the beautiful hill state of Uttarakhand. This holy city is one of the Sapta-Puris, the seven Holy cities of India. In addition, this place is the gateway to three other pilgrimage centers of Uttarakhand, namely Rishikesh, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.

The city of Haridwar is also known as Mayapuri, Kapila, Mokshadwar, and Gangadwar and finds mention in various ancient Hindu epics. The history of this sacred place dates back to the era of the illustrious King Vikramaditya. The destination is known for its world-famous religious centers and tourist attractions. Most of the pilgrim spots here are on the banks of the holy Ganges River. The most important and pious site here is Har-ki-Pauri, which is popularly called Brahm Kund. It's the point from where the River Ganges exits the mountains and enters the plains. 

Tourist Attractions In Haridwar : 11

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1: Har Ki Pauri
Har Ki Pauri
Har-ki-Pauri, famous as Brahm Kund, is considered one of the most sacred & popular sites in Haridwar. It is the place from where the River Ganges enters into the plains after exiting the mountains. Har-ki-Pauri was built by Vikramaditya, the famous king, in remembrance of his brother, Brithari, who used to meditate here on the banks of the Ganges River. According to one of the various legends associated with this place, the Hindu Lords Shiva and Vishnu appeared here during the Vedic period. The other legend says that the Hindu Lord Brahma, also known as the God of Creation, performed a ritual of sacrifice called Yagya at this spot. There are footprints on the ghats, which are said to be of Lord Vishnu. It's believed that taking a dip into the water of Har-ki-Pauri washes off all the sins of an individual. Every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela is organized here & witnessed by several thousands of devotees.
 
2: Chandi Devi Temple
Chandi Devi Temple
Chandi Devi Temple, situated on top of the Neel Parvat in Haridwar, is one of the famed religious sites of the country. This temple is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas, constructed by the erstwhile ruler of Kashmir in 1929. According to folklore, Neel Parvat is the place where Chandika Devi, the Hindu Goddess, rested for some time after killing the demon kings, Shumbh and Nishumbha. To reach this temple, travelers can take autos, rickshaws, taxis, and Tangas. Traveling by cable car is also an option and takes around 25 minutes.  
 
3: Mansa Devi Temple
Mansa Devi Temple
Mansa Devi Temple, a religious site, is located at a distance of around 3 km from Haridwar, dedicated to the Hindu deity Mansa Devi, the brainchild of Saint Kashyap, who was a great saint in ancient Vedic times. The holy deity is the wife of Nag Vasuki, the King of Serpents. The temple is perched on the crest of the Bilwa Parvat on the Shivalik Hills and has two idols of the deity. One of the idols has five arms & three mouths, while the other features eight arms. One of the 52 Shakti Peethas, this temple is at the peak of the Siddha Peetha Triangle. The triangle is formed by the trio of Maya Devi, Chandi Devi, and Mansa Devi temples. 
 
4: Sapt Rishi Ashram
Sapt Rishi Ashram
Sapt Rishi Ashram, situated at a distance of 5 km from Har-ki-Pauri, is one of the renowned spiritual sites in Haridwar. According to Hindu folklore, this ashram was the meditating spot of the Sapt Rishis, the seven great sages from the Vedic period, namely Kasyap, Atri, Vashisht, Jamadagni, Gautam, Vishwamitra and Bharadwaja. Further, the seven rivulets join together to form a magnificent channel known as the Neel Dhara.
 
5: Daksh Mahadev Temple
Daksh Mahadev Temple
Daksha Mahadev Temple, an old temple devoted to the Hindu Lord Shiva, is located around 4 km from Haridwar. The temple was first built in 1810 AD by Queen Dhankaur. According to mythology, this is the spot where Daksha Yagya was performed by Daksha Prajapati, the father of the Hindu deity Sati. He had invited everyone to the ritual, apart from Lord Shiva, who was his son-in-law. Sati felt insulted by her father’s behavior and sacrificed herself in the fire of the holy Yagya. There is a pit in the temple, considered the exact spot where goddess Sati sacrificed her life.
 
6: Bhimgoda Tank
Bhimgoda Tank
Bhimgoda Tank, situated close to Har-ki-Pauri, is a popular tourist attraction in Haridwar. According to legend, this tank was created by the blow of Bhim's knee. Bheem is the mythological character from the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata.
 
7: Bharat Mata Mandir
Bharat Mata Mandir
Bharat Mata Mandir, also known as the Mother India Temple, is a noted religious site in Haridwar, constructed by the famous spiritual Guru Swami Satyamitranand Giri. The late Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, inaugurated this temple in 1983. This eight-storied temple is at the height of 180 ft & each floor of the shrine is dedicated to different Hindu deities & freedom fighters. The most prominent among all is the idol of Bharat Mata on the first floor. The second floor features the Shoor Mandir, a tribute to the dedicated heroes of India, while the third floor's Matru Mandir beautifully honors the great women of India. The fourth floor is dedicated to the great Indian saints, and the fifth floor displays the religions, history, and beauty of different parts of India. 
 
8: Ma Anandamayee Ashram
Ma Anandamayee Ashram
Ma Anandamayee Ashram, a well-known religious site, is situated in Kankhal in Haridwar. It's the place where the Samadhi of Sri Ma Anandamayee, a famous saint, is located.
 
9: Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary
Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary
Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary was founded in 1977 & spreads over an area of 249 sq km. It is located 10 km from Haridwar, on the banks of the River Ganges. In 1983, it was combined with the Motichur and Rajaji sanctuaries to form Rajaji National Park. Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary is home to various animals, such as tigers, elephants, bears, and small cats. Travelers can also spot a variety of beautiful birds in the sanctuary. 
 
10: Doodhadhari Barfani Temple
Doodhadhari Barfani Temple
Doodhadhari Barfani Temple is one of the most beautiful shrines in the Doodhadhari Barfani Baba Ashram. The complex of the temple is made of white marble. There are various other temples inside the complex devoted to different Hindu deities. Among them, the temples of Hanuman and Ram Sita are considered the most wonderful ones.    
 
11: Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar
Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar
Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar, a paradise for bird watchers, is situated around 4 km from Haridwar. The place, at the Bhimgoda Barrage,  is visited by Siberian cranes and several other migratory birds during winter.
 
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How To Reach Haridwar

By Air - The closest airbase to Haridwar is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is situated at a distance of around 34 kms from the destination. Flights to New Delhi are available from this airport on a daily basis.

 

By Rail - Haridwar has its own railway station, which is connected to important Indian cities. It is located just a kilometre away from the city centre.

 

By Road - The place is well linked to other parts of the country by state and private operated buses. Various deluxe tourist buses frequently ply for Haridwar from New Delhi.

 

Local Transport - Numerous buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws ply across the city. One can also take the local train that connects most of the city.
 

Traditional Food (Regional cusine of Haridwar)

1 - BHGWATI, 10 MINS WALKING FROM LAL TARAO BRIDGE TOWARDS HAR KI PAURI - (FAMOUS FOR CHOLE BHATURE)
    
2 - MOHAN PURI WALA, ON GATE OF HAR KI PAURI - (FAMOUS FOR PURI)
    
3 - SINDH DUGDH BHANDAR - (FAMOUS FOR MULTI CUSINE & DESERTS)
    
4 - AHAAR RESTAURANT, ON RLY STATION - (FAMOUS FOR PUNJABI CUSINE)
    
5 - BESTEE RESTAURANT - (FAMOUS FOR VARIETY OF SHAKES)
    
6 - BRIJ MATHURA WALA - (FAMOUS FOR VARIETY OF SWEETS)
    
7 - PANDIT POORI WALA, AT BARA BAZAR - (FAMOUS FOR POORI)    
 

Weather & Quick Info Of Haridwar

Haridwar is a holy town known for its world-famous religious centers & a perfect tourist destination. 

 

The best Months To Visit are from November to March.

 

The ideal time required to explore Haridwar is 2-3 days.

 

Haridwar has many nearby tourist destinations like Rishikesh, Kalsi, Nainital, Kasauli, Rudraprayag, Lansdowne, Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, and many more.

Best Hotels In Haridwar

The Great Ananda
Price: ₹ 1999.00

Updated 8 Feb 2023

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  • near Shanti-kunj Ashram, Gate No. 5, Rishikesh Road, Near Harki Pauri, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, Ind Star Rating:

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  • Amenities: Conference Or Meeting Rooms, Wifi, Banquet Facilities
Shivmurti
Price: ₹ 990.00

Updated 8 Feb 2023

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  • opp. Railway Station, Shivmurti Ckowk, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India

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  • Amenities: Parking , Wifi, Room Service

Best Travel Agents In Haridwar

Day Hike Near Rishikesh
 
Price: ₹ 1500/person

Updated 30 Aug 2017

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Day Hike Rishikesh
 
Price: ₹ 1500/person

Updated 30 Aug 2017

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