Har Ki Pauri

Har Ki Pauri is the soul of Haridwar. Every evening thousands of people enlighten themselves with Maha Aarti performed here. Taking bath in this ghat is an auspicious karma that takes closer to Nirvana. Worth of thousand visits, this place has an aesthetic value too.

Mansa Devi

Mansa Devi is another landmark destination for Haridwar. Located on the top of a hill called Bilwa Parvat this temple has another attraction for its rope way. Besides its mythological and sacred features, this place is an ideal for an picturesque view of Haridwar.

Chandi Devi

This sacred temple is located on the top of a hill called the Neel Parvat which is on the other side of the river Ganga. The temple was constructed by the King of Kashmir, Suchat Singh, in 1929 AD. Famous for its festival after Dushera, this temple attracts thousands of people every day.

Sapt Rishi

At a holy spot in Haridwar River Ganga divides herself into seven small streams. Known as Sapt Rishi this place provides a very pleasing sight.

Maya Devi

Regarded as one of the Shaktipeeths in India, this ancient temple of Maya Devi is also the Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar. It is said that when Lord Shiva was marrying his wife Sati, who had burnt herself to keep the honor of her husband, then the heart and navel of Sati had fallen at this place.
This is one of most sacred places in Haridwar

Daksha Mahadev Temple

Situated at Kankhal, Haridwar this temple has a mythological value for the Daksha Yagya. This place is also worth of visits for Ma Anandamayee Ashram and Baba Ramdev’s ashram.

Other Attractions of Haridwar

Gurukul Kangri University

This university is known for its unique system of education. it is located on the Haridwar-Jwalapur bypass road. This institution follows the ancient tradition of Guru-Sishya pattern of education. The institution also has the Ved Mandir Museum which is having a wide collection of archaeological exhibits and displays artifacts which are of historical value.

Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar

This place is an enchanting bird watching point particularly during the winters. There are various species of birds which can be spotted here. On the banks of river Ganges one can expect the Siberian Cranes, which is one of the visitors to this Pakshi Vihar.

Excursions of Haridwar

Rishikesh

Rishikesh, 24 KMs from Haridwar, is known as the Tapo Bhumi or the place for meditation of the Gods. Rishikesh is one of the popular pilgrimages for the Hindus. Here, the Ganges bids adieu the mountains and prepares herself to begin a long journey through the plains.

Mussoorie

The queen of hill stations is just 89 KMs from Haridwar. The salubrious climate and deep woods makes it an ideal hill station.

Dehradun

The present capital of Uttarakhand is located in the Shivalik hills, just 54 KMs from Haridwar. The thick woods and scenic beauty of the place is enough to capture the imagination of any tourist. Besides Indian Military Academy, Dehradun has many industries.

Chila

Chila is famous for Rajaji National Park a popular destination for nature and adventure lovers. The scenic beauty and rich biodiversity of the park has been attracting wildlife lovers from India and abroad. The park has 23 species of mammals and about 315 avifauna species.

Fairs & Festivals of Haridwar

Kumbh

Kumbha is a Sanskrit word that means “kalasha” in hindi and “pitcher”, an open vessel with a handle and a spout in English. Also, one of the Zodiac signs “Aquarius” means kumbha, so it is this sign under which this Mela falls. “Mela” refers to a public gathering for fun or any specific purpose. Kumbha Mela is a very popular and widely respected Hindu pilgrimage. Although the Purna Kumbh Mela (great Kumbh Mela) occurs every 12 years, but the Ardh(half) Kumbh Mela is observed every 6 years.

People from all classes of society come in multitudes to the fair grounds driven by the desire to take a dip in the sacred river waters as well as to receive the blessings of the great holy men assembled in the fair. Many of the devotees live in camps and ashrams (temples) for the whole duration of the mela and lead a sacred life. Such a living is called "Kalpavas" and those who live thus are called "Kalpvasi". Like its bigger counterparts (Purna Kumbh Mela, Maha Kumbha Mela) and smaller counterparts (Magh Mela) the purpose of organising Ardh Kumbh Mela is to commemorate the legend of the struggle between the gods and demons over the Amrita Kumbha (pot of nectar) and draws innumerable crowds who believe in the Hindu Puranas and come in quest of purifying their soul before entering the realm of god.

Ardh Kumbh

Though every Hindu festival is celebrated here with pomp and gaiety, it is the Ardh Kumbh which attracts the mind of any tourist to this place. The Ardh Kumbh is held every six years. It is said that a holy dip in the river Ganges during the Kumbh gives you Moksha or Nirvana .People gather in huge number to take the holy dip during these holy days.

Kanvad Mela during Sawan Month dedicated to Lord Shiva

Ten days before Shivteras (during the Krishna Paksh or Waning Moon of Indian months of Shraavana & Phaalgun) thousands of devotees throng to Hardwar to collect holy waters of the river Ganga. Then they carry it back to their hometown & offer it at the local Shiv temple. Colourful shops spring up and Hardwar resounds to the chanting of hymn

Char Dham Yatra

Holy Himalayas up in the misty heights of the majestic Garhwal Himalayas that adorn the magnificent state of Uttaranchal, awaits a rejuvenating spiritual experience for the devout. Nestling in the lofty peaks are the four most holy pilgrimages of India -Yamunotri, Gangotri, Sri Kedarnathji and Sri Badrinathji, collectively referred to as the Char Dham ( or four pilgrimage centres) of Hinduism.

For centuries, saints and pilgrims, in their search for the divine, have walked these mystical vales known in ancient Hindu scriptures as 'Kedarkhand' If the scriptures of HINDU RELIGION are to be believed, the holy centres of Gangotri, Yamunotri,Badrinath and Kedarnath - collectively called theChardham (meaning four sacred spots) - are the mostsacred of all pilgrimages. Undertaking a journey to these places will not just wash away one's sins butensure release from the cycle of birth and death.THE honour conferred on these places is not surprising.

Haridwar is the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttarakhand. It's also your starting point on the journey to the sacred sources of the Ganga and the Yamuna Rivers. This holy city is home to some of the Most sacred Hindu rituals. Round the year, devotees from all over the country flock here in their thousands to perform "Poojas" or prayers. Renowned for the "Maha Kumbh Mela" which appears Every 12 years and the enchanting "Aarti" at "Har Ki Pauri" which captives the beholder with hundreds of burning wick lamps floating down the Ganga, this town has been distinguished for centuries in the Indian society.

The list of attractions in Haridwar is endless. Har-Ki-Pauri, the sacred ghat was constructed by King Vikramaditya in the memory of his brother Bhartrihari. The golden reflection of floral diyas in the river Ganges is the most enchanting sight in the twilight during the Ganga aarti ceremony at the ghat.

Haridwar has a number of interesting sites that one can include in the excursion. Rishikesh, around 28 km off Haridwar, is at the base of the Himalayas and it is where the Ganges comes down to the plains from the hills. A breathtaking experience of natural beauty and undiscovered wildlife awaits here. Not to mention the peace and tranquility of a landscape associated with sages and meditation.

Haridwar or 'the Gateway to the Gods' is one of the seven holiest places according to Hindu mythology, as the Gods are believed to have left their footprints in Haridwar. Due to its geographical location too, Haridwar stands as the gateway to the other three important pilgrimages of Uttrakhand namely, Rishikesh, Badrinath and Kedarnath. Referred to as Mayapuri, Gangadwar, and Mokshadwar in the ancient scriptures and epics, Haridwar has always remained a major pilgrimage for the Hindus.

According to the mythology it is known as Kapilsthan. legend goes that the suryavnshi Prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had perished due to the curse of the sage Kapila. The penance was answered and the river Ganga trickled forth from Lord Shiva's locks and its bountiful waters revived the sixty thousand sons of King Sagara. Mythologically, drops of nectar churned out from the primordial ocean fell at the four sites of the Kumbh mela including Haridwar. The kumbha mela, happening once every 12 years and the Ardha Kumbha Mela (Coming once every six years) are big draws. One of the oldest living cities, Haridwar has been in people's mind from the period of Buddha to the British advent and now even is the 21st century. Besides being a religious place, it has served as the center for learning arts, science and culture.