Haridwar – A City of Eternal Faith
Haridwar (also Hardwar) is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism and the gateway to the Char Dham pilgrimage. Situated where the holy Ganges descends from the Himalayas to the plains at 314m, Haridwar has been a centre of pilgrimage and spirituality for thousands of years.
The city is famous for the nightly Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri — a spectacle of fire, incense, prayer and flowing flowers that draws millions of devotees annually.
Har Ki Pauri – The Sacred Ghat
Har Ki Pauri ("Steps of God") is the most sacred ghat in Haridwar. The spot is believed to be where Lord Vishnu left his footprint on the stone. The nightly Ganga Aarti here is performed by groups of priests in synchronised worship with large fire vessels — an experience of overwhelming spiritual beauty.
Ganga Aarti Timings at Har Ki Pauri
| Season | Evening Aarti Time |
|---|---|
| Summer (April–June) | 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Monsoon (July–September) | 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Autumn (October–November) | 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM |
| Winter (December–March) | 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
Top Temples in Haridwar
Mansa Devi Temple
Perched on Bilwa Parvat hill — accessible by cable car (ropeway) or 1.5 km walk. The goddess Mansa Devi fulfils wishes — tie a red thread to a tree if your wish is granted. Cable car: ₹96 (Indians), ₹200 (foreigners).
Chandi Devi Temple
On Neel Parvat hill across the river — accessible by cable car from Chandighat or a 3 km forest trek. Dedicated to Goddess Chandi (an avatar of Durga).
Maya Devi Temple
One of the Shakti Peethas — where the heart of Goddess Sati fell according to mythology. A very ancient and powerful temple in the heart of Haridwar.
Daksha Mahadev Temple
In Kankhal (4 km from Haridwar) — site where King Daksha performed a Yagna (fire ritual) and Lord Shiva destroyed the event. A highly revered temple for Shiva devotees.
Kumbh Mela at Haridwar
Haridwar hosts the Kumbh Mela every 12 years and the Ardha Kumbh every 6 years — the world's largest religious gathering. During the 2021 Haridwar Kumbh, an estimated 9 crore (90 million) pilgrims bathed in the Ganges. The main bathing dates (Shahi Snan) are determined by astrological positions.
Haridwar Shopping
Haridwar's Moti Bazar and the lanes around Har Ki Pauri offer religious items, handicrafts and Uttarakhand products:
- Rudraksha malas and Shivalingas
- Brass and copper puja items
- Ayurvedic herbs and medicines (Patanjali's main store is in Haridwar)
- Uttarakhand woolens and Kumauni shawls
- Gangajal (holy Ganga water) in copper/silver containers
How to Reach Haridwar
- By Train: Haridwar Junction is a major railway station — trains from Delhi (5–6 hrs), Mumbai, Kolkata
- By Road: 250 km from Delhi via NH-58 (5–6 hours)
- By Air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (35 km) — flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore
- By Bus: UPSRTC and GMOU buses from Delhi, Lucknow, and major cities