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Located in Uttarakhand, Haridwar is one of the 7 holiest cities in the country. Every year, millions of people visit this temple town and take a holy dip in the sacred Ganges. It is considered that taking a dip in Har Ki Pauri relieves all your sins. One of the highlights of Haridwar is the Ganga Aarti, which is attended by a large number of devotees. They come here to pray to the River Ganga and float the diyas. It is also one of the cities where the Kumbh Mela is organized every year during the monsoon. Tourists who visit Haridwar can explore other towns such as Devprayag and Rishikesh during their Haridwar tour.
Best Places to Visit in Haridwar
Here are some of the best places to visit in Haridwar:
Har Ki Pauri
It is one of the holiest ghats in Haridwar, which is visited by innumerable devotees. They seek the blessings of Ganga after visiting this place. The literal meaning of ‘Har ki Pauri’ means ‘Steps to Lord Shiva’. It is situated in the sacred city of Haridwar. People take a holy dip in the Ganges. They believe that bathing in the River Ganges will cleanse them of their sins.
According to mythology, Har ki Pauri is one of the 4 places where the drops of Amrit were spilled accidentally by ‘Garuda’. The river looks ethereal with the countless diyas that are offered by the devotees. Har ki Pauri comes alive in the evening when it is full of visitors. The chanting of holy mantras creates a perfect environment for meditation. The sound of the gongs transcends you to another world. People believe that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva have visited this place in the Vedic times.
Maa Mansa Devi Temple
Dedicated to the Goddess Mansa Devi, Maa Mansa Devi Temple is one of the popular temples, which is visited by a large number of tourists. According to the mythology, the Goddess is a form of Shakti and emerges from the mind of Lord Shiva. Every year, thousands of Hindus visit this temple in large numbers. This temple is one of the 5 famous pilgrimages in Haridwar. Also known as Bilwa Tirth, Maa Mansa Devi Temple is located at the top of the Shivalik Hills. It is believed that Goddess Mansa Devi fulfills the wishes of the devotees who pray here. Due to this reason, this temple is called ‘Siddh Peetha’. The temple has an immense religious significance, which is the reason why people from different corners of the country visit it.
Shri Maa Chandi Devi Temple
This is another holy place in Haridwar that you should not miss during your Haridwar tour. Dedicated to the Goddess Chandi Devi, the Chandi Devi Temple is situated on the Neel Parvat in the Shivalik Hills. It is also called Neel Parvat Teerth and is called Siddha Peetha. This temple is not only popular among the pilgrims, but also among the trekking tourists. The view from Maa Chandi Devi Temple is fantastic. You will experience a divine energy once you are here. It is one of the ancient temples in Haridwar, which is flocked by devotees every year. If you are planning to explore the temple, you must come here during the festivals of Kumbh Mela, Navratra, and Chandi Chaubas. Many festivals are celebrated in Maa Chandi Devi Temple, such as Chandi Chaudas, Kumbh Mela, and Navratra. Pilgrims need to trek up to 3 kilometers to reach the temple. The trek starts from Chandighat and involves many challenges.
Shantikunj Gayatri Parivar
It is one of the world-renowned ashrams in Haridwar that has shown the right path to many people so far. The ashram offers training to the people according to the spiritual principles. It has a specific goal of reviving the Rishi Traditions. The ashram is the headquarters of All World Gayatri Pariwar or AWGP. The single objective of AWGP is to develop divinity in mankind.
The ashram has Gayatri Mata Temple, Yagya Shala, Devatma Himalaya Temple, Akhand Deep, etc. People can visit these temples and take part in their daily activities. Many training camps are organized here for the upliftment of spiritual and moral values in the people. People who want to seek inner peace and divine inspiration must visit Shanti Kunj.
Pawan Dham
Situated at Bhagirathi Nagar, Pawan Dham is an NGO and a popular spiritual site among the Hindu devotees. Geeta Bhawan Trust Society of Moga manages the Pawan Dham temple. The architecture of the temple is simply brilliant. The idols of the temple are decorated in precious stones and rich jewels. One of the striking features of the temple is the beautiful sculpture of Lord Krishna explaining the Bhagavad Geeta to Arjun. It is easy to reach Pawan Dham as it is only 2km from Haridwar. The divine ambiance and the beautiful interiors of the temple attract people from all over the country. Pawan Dham is one of the most visited pilgrimage spots to explore in Haridwar.
Bharat Mata Mandir
This is a unique temple and is dedicated to India. Also known as ‘Mother India Temple’, this multi-story temple is located in the Sapt Sarovar. You will not find any idol of God and Goddess here, as the temple remembers the sacrifice of patriots and freedom fighters. This majestic temple showcases the culture of India and emphasizes the oneness of the country.
The temple has 8 floors in total, which are designed with different themes. The height of the temple is 180 feet, and it has a large map of the country on the ground. A statue is depicted in the map wearing saffron-colored attire. She is holding a book, a white cloth, and a mala. This temple is for the people who contributed to the formation of the country, as it was constructed before the partition of India. The temple authorities have installed elevators in the temple for the pilgrims. The best time to visit Bharat Mata Temple is in the afternoon. You will find fewer crowds in the afternoon and can enjoy a beautiful view of Haridwar.
Best Time to Visit Haridwar
Choosing the right time to visit Haridwar is extremely important. If you plan your journey in the right season, your Haridwar trip will be more enjoyable and meaningful. You can visit this city throughout the year. However, the best time to visit Haridwar is as follows:
Summer Season
If you want to take part in the festivals, you must plan your Haridwar tour in the summer season. Many festivals are celebrated here in the summer, such as Kumbh Mela, Kanwar Mela, and Ramanavami. Thus, if your only goal is to participate in these festivals, you should visit Haridwar in the summer season.
Monsoon Season
It is not advisable to visit Haridwar in the monsoon season as the rainfall increases the humidity of this place. This makes it difficult for you to explore this place.
Winter Season
It is the best season to explore Haridwar as the weather is perfect for exploring the city. You have all day to explore the worth-seeing places in Haridwar during the winter season.
Shopping in Haridwar
Some of the best places for shopping in Haridwar are as follows:
Jwalapur Market
This is one of the best shopping destinations to explore in Haridwar. Some of the things that you can buy from here include fruits, vegetables, and lip-smacking sweets.
Kankhal Market
If you want to buy motifs, malas, rudrakshas, and pendants, you can head to Kankhal market. You can find a wide range of these items in this market at the best prices.
Moti Bazaar
If you want to buy pooja items, you must visit Moti Bazaar for this purpose. It is the best place for shopping if you need sandalwood paste, diyas, and other important pooja items.
How to Reach Haridwar?
You can reach Haridwar in the following ways:
How to Reach Haridwar by Air?
The nearest airport to Haridwar is Jolly Grant Airport, which is located in Dehradun. This airport is approximately 37 km from this holy city.
How to Reach Haridwar by Train?
You can also reach Haridwar by train. The Haridwar railway station is well-connected with the major cities of the country, such as Mumbai, Chennai, Jaipur, Indore, Kolkata, and Delhi.
How to Reach Haridwar by Road?
Haridwar is accessible to people who are coming from the nearby cities and states such as UP, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, etc. Private buses and state transport buses run regularly from major cities of India to Haridwar. The tourists can catch these buses to visit Haridwar.
Getting Around Haridwar
By Auto Rickshaws
You can commute within Haridwar by auto rickshaws. They are best suited to cover short distances and reach narrow lanes.
By Taxis
Taxis are also the best transport medium to get around Haridwar. You can hire a taxi from a taxi stand or book it by contacting local operators.
By Ropeways
Through the ropeway, you can reach temples that are located on the hills. Some of the temples that you can visit through the ropeway are Chandi Devi, Mansa Devi, etc.
