What Are the Tourist Places in Haridwar? Complete Pilgrimage & Travel Guide

Haridwar — "Gateway of God" — is one of India's seven holiest cities and one of the oldest living cities in the world. Situated where the Ganga River descends from the Himalayas onto the plains of North India, Haridwar has drawn pilgrims, sages, and seekers for thousands of years. The combination of the sacred river, the ancient ghats, the incense-filled temples, and the evening Ganga Aarti creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in India.

Getting to Haridwar from Delhi: Haridwar is 220 km from Delhi via NH44 and the new Delhi-Meerut Expressway — about 4–4.5 hours by car. EZPZ Taxi offers Delhi to Haridwar cabs starting at ₹2,299 — call +91-9871121217 or book at ezpztaxi.com.

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1. Har Ki Pauri — The Holiest Ghat

Location: City centre, Haridwar | Always open | Free

Har Ki Pauri (literally "Footsteps of God") is considered the holiest ghat in Haridwar — and one of the holiest in all of Hinduism. According to legend, Lord Vishnu's footprint is embedded in the stone here, and the Ganga water at this ghat is the most sacred point before the river descends fully onto the plains.

What makes Har Ki Pauri extraordinary:

The ghat is a series of stone steps leading into the Ganga. The ghats are flanked by temples, dharmashalas, and the constant movement of pilgrims. The Ganga here is clear, cold, and fast-flowing — utterly different from the murky river you see downstream.

Bathing at Har Ki Pauri: Pilgrims believe bathing here washes away sins. The current is strong — hold the chains. Best bathing times are early morning (5–7 AM) and after the aarti.



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2. Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri — India's Greatest Spiritual Spectacle

Every evening at sunset | Free to watch

The Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is one of the most visually spectacular and spiritually powerful events in India. Every single evening — 365 days a year, rain or shine — priests perform the aarti at sunset on the main ghat.

The ceremony:
Multiple priests stand on the ghat holding massive multi-tiered brass lamps (each lamp weighs several kilograms). In perfect synchrony, they wave the flames in circular motions toward the river as conch shells blow, bells ring, and thousands of pilgrims chant. Floating diyas (small oil lamps on leaf boats) are released on the river creating rivers of light.

What to do:
- Arrive 45 minutes before sunset to get a good spot on the ghat or the bridge above
- Buy floating diyas from vendors (₹20–30 for 5 diyas) and release them on the river during the aarti
- Collect Gangajal (Ganga water) in small containers from the ghat — sold by vendors, ₹20–50

Aarti timings (approximate):
- Winter (Oct–Feb): 6:00–7:00 PM
- Summer (Mar–Sep): 7:00–8:00 PM

Morning Aarti: Also happens at sunrise — around 5:30–6:30 AM. Far fewer crowds, deeply peaceful, often more moving than the evening version.

Photography: Absolutely wonderful at Ganga Aarti. Use a tripod if possible for the long exposure light trails. Photography is allowed.

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3. Mansa Devi Temple

Bilwa Parvat hill, accessible by ropeway | Open: 6 AM – 8 PM | Entry: Free (ropeway ₹116 return Indians, ₹176 foreigners)

Mansa Devi Temple on Bilwa Parvat hill is one of the Siddha Peethas in the Shakti tradition — a temple of great spiritual power. Mansa Devi is a form of Shakti who is believed to grant wishes (mansa = desire/wish).

Getting there:
- Ropeway (recommended): A gondola cable car runs from Haridwar city to the hilltop. Takes 3–4 minutes. Views of Haridwar and the Ganga valley from the cable car are magnificent.
- Trek: A 1.5 km uphill path through forest also leads to the temple.

At the temple:
Devotees tie a thread (kalawa) on a tree near the temple as a vow when asking for a wish — and must return to untie it when the wish is granted. The tree is completely covered in thousands of such threads.

Combined ticket: Mansa Devi + Chandi Devi ropeway combined tickets are available.



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4. Chandi Devi Temple

Neel Parvat hill, accessible by ropeway | Open: 6 AM – 8 PM | Entry: Free (ropeway ₹116 return Indians, ₹176 foreigners)

Chandi Devi Temple on Neel Parvat is the second major hilltop temple of Haridwar and holds immense significance in the Shakti tradition. According to legend, Goddess Chandi killed the demon generals Shumbha and Nishumbha here.

The temple was built in 1929 by King Suchat Singh of Kashmir, though the main idol is said to be ancient — established by the 8th-century philosopher Adi Shankaracharya.

The view from Neel Parvat (the "Blue Mountain") is spectacular — you can see the entire Ganga valley, the Shivalik Hills, and on clear days, the first Himalayan peaks rising in the distance.

Combined pilgrimage: Most devout visitors do both Mansa Devi (morning) and Chandi Devi (afternoon) on the same day — together they are called the Panch Tirtha (Five Sacred Spots) of Haridwar.

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5. Maya Devi Temple — The Most Ancient

City centre, near railway station | Open: 6 AM – 10 PM | Entry: Free

Maya Devi Temple is considered one of the original Shakti Peethas — where Goddess Sati's heart and navel fell when Lord Vishnu dismembered her body to end Shiva's grief. This makes it one of the most ancient and spiritually significant temples in Haridwar.

The temple is over 1,100 years old and houses idols of Maya Devi, Kali, and Kamakhya. Unlike the hilltop temples, this one is in the heart of the city and has a more intimate, ancient atmosphere.

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6. Daksha Mahadev Temple

Kankhal, 4 km from Haridwar | Open: 6 AM – 9 PM | Entry: Free

Daksha Mahadev in the ancient town of Kankhal is one of Haridwar's most historically significant temples — the site of King Daksha's yagna (fire ceremony) where his daughter Sati (first wife of Lord Shiva) immolated herself after her father insulted her husband Shiva.

The current temple was built in the 19th century on the ancient site. The story of Daksha's yagna is central to Hindu mythology and this temple brings it to life. The Satidwar (Sati's gateway) is venerated by pilgrims.

Kankhal itself is a peaceful ancient pilgrimage town worth wandering — small temples, ashrams, and dharmashalas line its streets.

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7. Patanjali Yogpeeth

Roorkee bypass road, 5 km from Haridwar | Open: 5 AM – 7 PM

Founded by yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Patanjali Yogpeeth is the world's largest yoga and Ayurveda centre — a campus covering 100+ acres with hospitals, research centres, a university, and massive yoga halls.

Visitors can:
- Attend the morning yoga session (5–7 AM) — often led by Baba Ramdev himself when he is in residence
- Visit the organic products store (Patanjali products at factory prices)
- See the Ayurvedic pharmacy and medicinal herb gardens

Official website: www.divyayoga.com

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8. Haridwar Market — Shopping & Street Food

Har Ki Pauri area and Moti Bazaar

Haridwar's markets near Har Ki Pauri are a sensory delight. The narrow lanes are packed with:

Religious items:
- Rudraksha malas (beads of the Rudraksha tree, sacred to Shiva)
- Copper and brass vessels (lota, kalash) for Ganga water
- Idols of Hindu deities
- Religious books, incense, camphor
- Gangajal containers (special copper/plastic bottles for holy water)

Food:
- Aloo ki sabzi and puri — Haridwar's signature breakfast, very cheap and delicious
- Chhole bhature from street carts
- Lassi — thick, creamy, and served in earthen kulhads
- Pedas and barfis from the sweet shops near Har Ki Pauri
- The Haridwar Dham (restaurant near Main Ghat) for proper meals

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9. Rajaji National Park

15 km from Haridwar | Open: November – June

Rajaji National Park spreads over 820 sq km in the Shivalik foothills surrounding Haridwar. The park has excellent wildlife including wild elephants (300+), tigers (though leopard sightings are more frequent), sloth bears, crocodiles, and over 300 bird species.

Safari options:
- Jeep safari from Chilla range (15 km from Haridwar)
- Elephant safari (less common now)
- Nature walks with forest guide

Booking: Forest department office at Chilla gate or online at Uttarakhand tourism website.

Official: www.rajajinationalpark.in

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Practical Information

Where to Stay in Haridwar:
- Budget: Haveli Haridwar, Hotel Ganga Lahari (₹600–1,500)
- Mid-range: Hotel Ganga Azure, Shivalik Regency (₹2,000–5,000)
- Ashrams: Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh, 24 km, large ashram), local dharmashalas (₹200–600, very basic)

Combined Haridwar-Rishikesh day trip: Both cities are just 24 km apart. EZPZ Taxi can cover both in a single day trip from Delhi — call +91-9871121217.

Kumbh Mela: Haridwar hosts the Kumbh Mela every 12 years (next: 2033) and Ardh Kumbh every 6 years. The Shahi Snan (royal bathing dates) attract tens of millions of pilgrims.

Uttarakhand Tourism: www.uttarakhandtourism.gov.in

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EZPZ Taxi for Haridwar Trips

Delhi to Haridwar cabs with fixed fares, no surge pricing. Same-day return trips available — depart Delhi early, attend evening Ganga Aarti, return same night.

Call: +91-9871121217 | Book: ezpztaxi.com

Have you attended the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri? What was your experience? Share below!