Things To Do in Haridwar Known as a famous Hindu pilgrim destination, Hardwar is one of the most popular places to visit in India. If you wish to witness Indian culture and traditions, Haridwar is the place to be. The Ganga aarti at Har-ki-Paudi is an incredible experience. You can go temple-hopping across Haridwar and take a dip in the Ganga at one of the ghats.
Shopping in Haridwar for pickles, precious stones and Gangajal is something tourists regularly indulge in. The Kumbh mela in Haridwar that is held every 12 years is the best time to visit this place. It is known to be the largest gathering of pilgrims in the world.
Ganga Aarti, Haridwar
India is a spiritual country full of devotion. A country blessed with religious beliefs and natural holy attractions that makes people confirm the existence of goodness of God. No matter where you plan to travel in India, you’ll come across many temples, monasteries, mosques, and churches. It is a country that comes in a package to arouse your senses. In the northern parts of India, there is a holy destination believed to be an ancient city. It is an important Hindu pilgrimage destination in the state of Uttarakhand, Haridwar.
This city is located a few minutes from the Yoga capital of India, Rishikesh. Haridwar Attraction has several sacred Ghats which are bathing steps where pilgrims perform the cleansing ceremony by dipping their body in the water. This is done to purify their souls.
Har ki Pauri hosts Ganga aarti in Haridwar, this is a river-worshipping ceremony. In India, the Ganga River is considered holy which flows from Devprayag to the Murshidabad District of West Bengal. During this auspicious aarti, tiny flickering lamps or Diyas are lit and floated off the steps into the river. It is a spiritual event one must experience while holidaying in India. However, the Haridwar Ganga aarti time varies. It has different time slots enabling people to witness the holy ceremony twice daily Haridwar Tour Packages.
Haridwar morning aarti is less ceremonious, it begins with chanting of the mantras and the fire is lit as an offering to the holy river. The pandits circled the fire around in a clockwise manner facing the Ganga River. The evening aarti is the most popular with many pilgrims, foreigners, and locals coming to attending the Ganga aarti. The Haridwar evening aarti begins between 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Har ki Pauri Ghat. Since it is a mass gathering Ghat, people come before 5:00 PM to reserve seats.
If you want to watch the aarti from the opposite end, you can go to the other side of the bank around 4:30 PM. This is because the gate leading to the opposite bank closes around 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM. Some people also take the liberty to hire a boat and watch the ceremony live without any interruption.
Ganga Aarti, Haridwar Timings: 5:30 A.M to 6:30 A.M and 6:00 P.M to 7:00 P.M
Ganga Aarti, Haridwar Entry Fees: Nil
Bharat Mata Mandir, Haridwar
Located in the stunning state of Uttarakhand, Haridwar attracts you into its spiritually significant land. Here, you can find many religious places from where you can hear echoes of devotional music being played all day. One name, in particular, is the Bharat Mata Mandir that sits beside the holy river Ganga. This Mata Mandir in Haridwar is one of the most visited temples which was founded by Swami Satyamitranand Giri. The temple was inaugurated in 1983 by Smt. Indira Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India.
Bharat Mata Mandir in Haridwar has a significant meaning behind its construction. This beautiful building colored in off white and dusky red is dedicated to all the patriots and freedom fighters. One of the most fascinating things about this temple is that it is eight stories tall and each floor has a special significance and dedication. The first floor is dedicated to Bharat Mata, Mother India, the second floor is dedicated to renowned Indian heroes and is called Snoor Mandir.
The third floor is dedicated to women of India and it is called Matri Mandir and the fourth floor is called Saint Mandir which is dedicated, great saints. The fifth floor has an assembly hall featuring amazing paintings and the floor above that is dedicated to different forms of Goddess Shakti.
The remaining two floors are equally stunning with the seventh floor dedicated to the incarnations of Lord Vishnu and the eight dedicated to Lord Shiva. From the top floor, you can also get a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range and also Sapt Sarovar. Haridwar Bharat Mata Mandir fascinates millions of people even if you are not necessarily a religious person. You can come and explore this stunning attraction anytime while you are in the city.
This temple is open all day throughout the week. It offers a nice relaxing vibe since it is located around 5.0 km from the center of the city. Due to its quiet and tranquil atmosphere, it also caters to a perfect place for meditation.
Bharat Mata Mandir Haridwar timing: 05:00 AM to 09:00 PM
Bharat Mata Mandir Haridwar Entry Fees: Nil
Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar
Haridwar is one of the holiest cities in Uttarakhand and across the country, it is bound to treasure some of the best temples. Amongst the many, Chandi Devi Temple is by far the holiest temple. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Chandi Devi. The location of the temple making it even more stunning, Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar is located in Neel Parvat on the Eastern summit of the Shivalik Hills. This mountain chain is situated in the southernmost part of the Himalayas of India.
Built-in the year 1929, during the reign of Suchat Singh, the King of Kashmir Chandi Devi Temple has had many devotees coming from all corners of the country to seek blessings. It is also highly revered by pilgrims as a Siddh Peeth. This means that it is a place where desires get fulfilled if wished upon wholeheartedly. The main Murti located inside the temple was installed by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. Adi Shankaracharya was one of the greatest Hindu priests of all time.
If you come here, don’t get confused by the name as many of the locals call Chandi Devi Temple as Neel Parvat Teerth. This is because it is one of the Panch Tirth (Five Pilgrimages) located within the city of Haridwar. Because of its stunning location, many people also prefer the choice of trekking instead of taking the means of a ropeway. Also since many elderly pilgrims cannot walk, it takes time to board the ropeway and reach the top.
Verdant greenery surrounds the entire temple complex and the hill making it a beautiful place to dwell. It is also a lovely place to watch the sunrise and sunset. Another thing the pilgrims can do is by exploring the other side of the Neel Parvat. After darshan at Chandi Devi Temple, you can visit a shrine dedicated to Devi Anjana who was the mother of Lord Hanuman. Many festivals are celebrated in Chandi Devi Mandir Haridwar like Navratri and the Chandi Chaudas. And during the mass gathering at Haridwar Tourism during the holy festival of Kumbh Mela.
You can find many pilgrims come to seek blessings from the deity. Items not allowed inside Chandi Devi Temple are any kind of leather accessories, non-vegetarian food, and alcohol.
Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar Timings: 5:00 A.M to 5:30 P.M and 6:00 P.M to 6:30 P.M
Chandi Devi Temple Entry Fees: Nil
Har ki Pauri Ghat, Haridwar
In India, there are many religious places with every state having its pilgrimage sites. Each destination is enveloped with historically significant items that have connections to the unseen spiritual force. In one of Uttarakhand‘s spiritual destinations, Haridwar, you can connect with your inner spirit by attending the auspicious Ganga Aarti. Every day, thousands of pilgrims come to Haridwar to soak in the richness of spirituality. The city consumes you through its many temples and Ghats where the aarti is performed.
The holy ceremony is performed in Har ki Pauri Ghat in the Brahma Kund area. The Ghat is said to have been built in the 1st century BC by King Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Brithari.
As foretold by many priests, it is believed that Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu visited Brahma Kund in Har Ki Pauri. The foot imprint of the Lord Vishnu can be found in the Ghat, thus it got its name. The same imprints are also present on one of the stones of the Ghat. Another story suggests that the nectar (Amrit) fell on this very spot thus various religious events are performed here. One famous celebration is the Kumbh Mela. The Ghat also thrives during the festive occasion of Baisakhi festival, Ardh Kumbh Mela, Magh Mela, and Kanwar Yatra.
Har ki Pauri darshan is famous across the country calling in devotees to attend the darshan. Ultimately making it the center of attraction in Haridwar. The literal meaning of the name Har ki Pauri is ‘Har’ meaning ‘Lord Shiva’, ‘Ki’ meaning ‘of’ and ‘Pauri’ meaning ‘steps.’ An interesting fact as to why Har ki Pauri is famous and considered an ideal place for worship is because it is the point where the Ganga River makes an exit from the mountain terrains and enters into the plains. People who come to witness the religious ceremony have many vantage points.
Har ki Gauri Ghats in Haridwar offers another point where people can see the aarti without anyone blocking the view from across the main Ghat. You can cross the bridge to the opposite side of the Ghat, or you can also hire a boat and watch the ceremony comfortably. There are also many hotels near Har ki Pauri that lends out their balconies for tourists to see the Aarti.
Har ki Pauri, Haridwar Timings: 24 hours
Har ki Pauri, Haridwar Entry Fees: Nil
Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar
Haridwar is one of the most ancient pilgrimage places in India is blessed with tons of temples all around the city. Thus, Haridwar means “Gateway to the Lord” with Hari meaning Lord and Dwar meaning Gateway. During your visit to Haridwar, you will come across many holistic shrines that have been dedicated to various Hindu deities. And amongst the many Mansa Devi Mandir leaves no stone unturned to impress devotees coming from across the country.
This temple dedicated to goddess Mansa Devi is located on top of Bilwa Parvat on the Shivalik Hills. It offers a splendid view of the surrounding area of the city and a constant chain of the Himalayas. It is said that Mansa Devi in Haridwar is also called by the name Bilwa Tirth. It is one of the five pilgrimages (Panch Tirth) within Haridwar.
Based on the legends, Manasa or Mansa Devi came out from the mind of the sage Kashyap in the form of Shakti. The name Mansa means wish and in that regard. Many pilgrims come to the temple to wish by tying a thread on a tree located in the temple with a hope that their wishes will be granted. After their wishes are fulfilled, the devotees return to the temple to untie the thread. Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar is beautiful and religiously oozing with hope and devotion.
It has two different ways to each, one can either hike for approx. 3 kilometer to the hilltop or get on a cable car or Udan Khatola called locally to the station on top. The hike can be tiring during hot weather so many opt for cable cars.
The Mansa Devi Mandir cable car in Haridwar runs from 7 AM between April and October, and 8 AM for the rest of the year. April to June is considered peak pilgrimage season and it remains crowded all day throughout the season. Haridwar’s Mansa Devi darshan is very auspicious. Many of the devotees take Prasad as an offering to the Goddess with bags filled with flowers and coconuts. Inside the temple complex, you’ll find many small shrines leading towards the main temple where the Goddess dwells.
Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar Timings: 8:00 A.M to 12:00 Noon and 2:00 P.M to 5:00 P.M
Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar Entry Fees: Nil
Patanjali Yog Peeth, Haridwar
Excessive travel makes one weary and we need some relaxation and India is no stranger to offer such rejuvenation. No matter where you go, you’ll find exceptional institutes that give you a chance to connect to your inner self. And if you are in a holy city of Uttarakhand in Haridwar, you can not only have a spiritual experience but you can make use of your visit by visiting the Patanjali Yog Peeth Haridwar. This is a well-known Ayurveda institute which was founded in 2006 by Yog Guru Ramdev.
This massive complex is said to be one of the top institutes for Ayurvedic treatment and medication. Not only you can come here for a soul-calming treatment but also learn about the different forms of yoga and meditation in their in-house college. Their world-class facilities are known throughout the globe for their several activities. It has many facilities such as laboratories, research Centres and also many other facilities such as the canteen and ATM.
Patanjali Yog Peeth in Haridwar comprises two campuses, the Patanjali Yog Peeth – I was commissioned on 6 April 2006. It was made into Ayurveda College with a campus library which is also a research center for yoga and Ayurveda. Many ancient textbooks are restored and digitized here. The second campus was inaugurated after a few years in 2009. It has different auditoriums to comfortably allow people to do different activities. Patanjali Yog Bhawan which can accommodate thousands of participants is 200,000 sq. ft. in size.
It is here people practice yoga, pranayama, and meditation. There is another auditorium called Shradhalayam which is fully air-conditioned spreading to over 60,000 sq. ft. Another auditorium spreading to 40,000 sq. ft. is Panchakarma and Shatkarma Centre that can hold about 1,000 people. Here you can perform and also participate in therapies like Panchakarma and Shatkarma.
You can choose some of the best therapies provided by Yog Peeth in Haridwar that are suitable for your body like Sun therapy, Hydrotherapy, Shat Karma, Naturopathy, Panchakarma and more. Patanjali Yog Peeth is located within an hour from Haridwar, Uttarakhand. You can easily reach here by bus or taxi from the city and have a rejuvenating time.
Rajaji National Park
One of the prizes possession national parks of Uttarakhand is Rajaji National Park now renamed Rajaji Tiger Reserve. This lovely animal refuge is shared by three districts of the state: Pauri Garhwal, Haridwar, and Dehradun. Surrounded by the Shivaliks on the foothills of the Himalayas, you can expect stunning sights of staggering mountains covered in dense forest and snow. Rajaji National Park is famous for tigers and it is a protected area for these wild beasts. However, there are only approx. 11 tigers in the park.
It is outnumbered by other wild species like leopards that are over 250 in population. It is also an ideal habitat for elephants, this national park has over 600 elephants. Rajaji National Park built-in 1983 is the second famous tiger reserve of Uttarakhand after Corbett National Park. The wild wilderness of this national park attracts many nature enthusiasts to come and dwell amid the forest.
Rajaji National Park safari will give you an experience you’ll never forget as you explore the three zones Chilla, Jhilmil, Ranipur. You can swift through the jungle on a jeep and listen to the birds sing, there are over 400 bird species. Make sure to also stay alert to get a glimpse of the wild beasts and simply enjoy the moment away from the city. Since Rajaji National Park is situated in Uttarakhand, you can easily visit many nearby destinations. Some are known for spirituality like Haridwar and some for its soothing ambiance in Nainital.
You can also rent a car and drive through the national park, private vehicles are not allowed inside, and you’ll need special permission from the forest officials. You can, however, make advance Rajaji National Park safari booking. The jeep safari in Rajaji National Park is operated twice daily in the morning and evening for two or three hours. The gates to the park remain open from 7:00 A.M to 9:00 A.M and 3:00 P.M to 5:00 P.M. The best time to come for a wildlife safari in Rajaji Tiger Reserve is during the cooler months. The national park remains open from the months of mid-November to mid-June, the dates may vary.
Rajaji National Park Timings: 7:00 A.M to 10:00 A.M and 2:30 P.M to 5:00 P.M
Rajaji National Park Entry Fees: INR 150 for Indian nationals and INR 600 for foreign nationals
