Haridwar

 Haridwar, considered one of India's seven holiest towns, is a historic city on the banks of the Ganga in Uttarakhand's Garhwal area. Haridwar, a famous Hindu temple town dotted with temples, ashrams, and tiny alleyways, is a popular Hindu temple town where millions of devotees flock to take a bath in the holy Ganges. Taking a bath in the holy Har Ki Pauri is said to cleanse you of all your sins.

Every evening, hundreds of devotees gather to the Ghats (River Banks) to pray to the river for the legendary Ganga Aarti. In addition, Haridwar hosts a mega-gathering once every twelve years during the world-famous Kumbh Mela, which attracts millions of tourists from all across the nation. Haridwar is one of only four places in India that can host the Kumbh Mela, along with Prayagraj, Nashik, and Ujjain.

Because Haridwar is well linked by trains and roads, it also serves as a base location for some of the other tourist cities of Rishikesh and Devprayag. Apart from its religious significance, Haridwar is currently establishing itself as a diversified cultural and spiritual hub. It's also noted for its cuisine, with kachoris at Kashyap Kachoriwala and aloo puri at Mohanji Puriwale among the must-try specialties.

Bathing in the Ganga

Bathing in the River Ganga is on every Hindu's bucket list. Haridwar is regarded as one of India's holiest towns. Because it is the principal place from whence the Ganga originates, the city is well-known. Every devotee's wandering confidence in God is believed to be reaffirmed in this city. Bathing in the Ganga not only provides a sense of cleanliness, but it also serves as a jumping off place for many. Many individuals think that a single dip in the holy river will wash away all of their sins.

Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Ka Mela is held every 12 years at Haridwar. In Haridwar, there is a large Hindu devotee gathering. The population is in the millions. The gathering is regarded to be one of the most peaceful in the world, as well as the world's biggest assembly of religious pilgrims. People bathe, light diyas and lamps, and worship to the gods and goddesses. It is one of India's biggest religious gatherings. This mela is regarded as one of Hinduism's holiest ceremonies. There are also several games, stores, dining establishments, rides, and other attractions at the mela.

Haridwar's History

Haridwar, often known as the 'Ganga's Doorway,' is a city in Uttarakhand that is home to the famed Ganga river. According to legend, the city was founded when a drop of Amrit, an immortality potion created by the gods and devils working together, landed on the ground. One of the four locations where the Amrit was poured was Haridwar. This city has a fascinating and varied legendary history. It is regarded to be one of India's holiest sites. The city was first referenced in the Mauryan empire's scriptures, which date from 322-185 B.C., and later in Hiuan Tsang's travelogue, which dates from 629 A.D. Emperor Akbar preserved jars of Ganga water and drank from them on his journeys since the river's water was thought to bring immortality. Raja Maan Singh established the basis for the modern-day Haridwar. He constructed two dams on the Ganga River, which have a significant impact on the river's flow.

The Lord Vishnu's Land

On the banks of the Ganga, Har ki Pauri is a ghat. Lord Shiva's name is Har, while Pauri is the word for "footstep." Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are said to have visited this location during the Vedic period. Lord Vishnu's footprints are imprinted in the stone wall. As a result, this spot is of enormous religious significance, and pilgrims from all across the country come here to pay their respects.

Haridwar's Top Attractions

Har Ki Pauri is, without a doubt, Haridwar's most popular tourist attraction. Har ki Pauri is a ghat erected by King Vikramaditya in honour of his brother, and it is visited by worshippers throughout the year. The Ganga aarti is performed at the ghat every evening as the sun sets, transforming the area into a brilliant, sensory display. The nighttime aarti at Har ki Pauri is a mesmerising spectacle that should not be missed, with burning torches and ringing bells everywhere. The Gau Ghat and the Vishnu Ghat are two other ghats in Haridwar worth seeing. The Bhimgoda Kund/Tank in Haridwar is a historically significant location.Legend has it that the Pandavas halted at Haridwar to drink water on their trip to the Himalayas, and Bhimgoda was the spot where Bhim collected water with only his knee, thus giving the town its name. It is a popular tourist site in Haridwar that attracts curious tourists all year. There are several temples devoted to various gods and goddesses in Haridwar. The Mansa Devi temple, Maya Devi temple, Chandi Devi temple, Bharat Mata temple, and Anandamayi Ashram are among the most well-known of these temples. Many of these temples are situated on hilltops and provide breathtaking views of the city.The Rajaji Tiger Reserve and National Park, which covers 1000 square kilometres and is home to a diverse range of flora and animals, is a famous tourist destination in Haridwar. The Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar, a natural park known for being a good site for bird-watching, is another sight that nature enthusiasts will appreciate. You could even get a glimpse of the Siberian Crane within the park if you're lucky (and on time)!

Haridwar's Local Cuisine

Haridwar's menu is dominated by vegetarian North Indian cuisine, but there are plenty of other options to whet your appetite, including South Indian, Bengali, Chinese, and Continental cuisines, as well as an extensive and exquisite array of dishes that comprise a staple meal known as 'Thali'.

Apart from the town's appetising Chole Bhature, delectable Dosas, and exquisite Indian Chinese cuisine, the rich, colourful street food, which boasts some of the greatest preparations in the city, is a must-try. Haridwar's most famous and delectable foods, which virtually define the food here, come from the streets. The popular Aloo Puri, Kachori, Lassi, Parathas, and a large range of traditional sweets are not to be missed.

Haridwar Itinerary Suggestions

Day 1: After arriving at Haridwar, take a plunge in the Holy River Ganga. After that, travel to Mansa Devi shrine and have a Desi breakfast. The goddess is well-known since it is said that she grants desires. You should also pay a visit to the Maya Devi and Chandi Dev temples. After that, you should go to Har ki Pauri Ghat in the evening. The sacred bank of the Ganga is well-known. Every day at sundown, Ganga aarti is done here, and it is not to be missed.

Day 2: Day two begins with a second sacred dip in the Ganga. Begin your day by visiting one of Haridwar's gorgeous ashrams. Shanti Kunj Ashram is set in a lovely garden where a variety of spiritual activities are held for the purification of souls. From there, you may proceed to Patanjali Yogpeeth for yoga to stretch your body. For many people, visits to ashrams may be life-changing. Haridwar is well-known for its yoga practise and its ability to help people discover inner peace.

Day 3: You have the opportunity to explore your adventurous side. Trekking, bird viewing, river rafting, and other activities are available at Haridwar. Rajaji National Park, which has a huge population of elephants and tigers, is another big draw here. In the evening, try Mohanji Puriwale's famed aloo puri and Kashyap Kachoriwala's kachoris. The desi food is superior than that of any other country.

What is the best way to get to Haridwar?

From all regions of India, Haridwar is well connected by road and rail networks. The closest airport is Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport, which is around 40 kilometres distant. Another nearby airport is in Delhi, which is 200 kilometres from Haridwar.

Places to visit in Haridwar

1. Ganga Aarti 
2. Har Ki Pauri
3. Chandi Devi Temple
4. Chilla Devi Temple
5. Mansa Devi Temple
6. Bharat Mata Mandir
7. Daksha Mahadev Temple
8. Vaishno Devi Temple
9. Patanjali Yogpeeth
10. Shanti Kunj
11. Swami Vivekanand Park
12. Maya Devi Temple
13. Fun Valley Water Park
14. Bara Bazar
15. Saptrishi Ashram
16. Local Markets
17. Kumbh Mela
18. Ma Anandamayi Ashram
19. Pawan Dham
20. Vishnu Ghat
21. Parad Shivling
22. Birla Ghat
23. Gau Ghat
24. Gaurishankar Temple
25. Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar
26. Bhuma Niketan
27. Jai Ram Ashram
28. Doodhadhari Barfani Temple
29. Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple
30. Bhimgoda Tank
31. Kushavarta Ghat
32. Sureshwari Devi Temple
33. Crystal World
34. Adbhut Mandir
35. Prem Nagar Ashram