Haridwar, located in Uttarakhand beside the famed Ganges River, draws you with its peaceful atmosphere and spiritual significance. You enter a world of profound spirituality and age-old traditions as you explore the holy city of Haridwar. This city, also known as the “Gateway to the Gods,” is a shelter for pilgrims and anyone seeking peace. You can enjoy the beautiful Ganga Aarti, a daily prayer in Haridwar, at the well-known Har Ki Pauri ghat. You can visit temples like Mansa Devi Temple and Chandi Devi Temple on hilltops, giving a panoramic view of the city.
Top Places to Visit in Haridwar
Har Ki Pauri
A calmness overtakes you as you approach Haridwar’s famous Har ki Pauri. Watch the morning prayer ceremony at Har Ki Pauri to begin your day in peace. During the evening, you can enjoy the mystical Ganga Aarti, attended by thousands daily. Har ki Pauri is a ghat where many pilgrims seek spiritual advice. It is one of the most popular tourist places in Haridwar. You will surely get mesmerized by the whole aura of the place.
You can engage in various experiences and activities at Har Ki Pauri. You can bathe in the Ganges’ sanctified waters at Har Ki Pauri. Explore the spiritual offerings first, then walk through the all-time busy bazaars and markets. There are many famous eating joints where you can enjoy the local delicacies.
How to reach: Har Ki Pauri can be reached through multiple transportation options:
- By Train: If you’re arriving by train, you can easily find buses, auto-rickshaws, or cycle rickshaws at the Haridwar railway station to take you to Har Ki Pauri. The distance is manageable, and local transportation is readily available.
- By Bus: Haridwar has a well-connected bus stand, the Haridwar bus stand, which is approximately 3 kilometers away from Har Ki Pauri. From there, you can take a short ride to reach this iconic ghat.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. After landing, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Haridwar and then proceed to Har Ki Pauri.
Chandi Devi Temple
The Chandi Devi Temple is located on Neel Parvat Hill in Haridwar. Not only is the temple a must-visit for darshan but also to look at the panoramic view of the city of Haridwar. The temple is devoted to the goddess Chandi Devi, regarded as the personification of power and divine energy. You can use the cable car or walk up the foot route to Chandi Devi Temple, providing exciting experiences.
How to reach: Chandi Devi Temple, situated atop Neel Parvat in Haridwar, can be accessed through the following routes:
- Trekking: Embark on a 4 km steep trek from Haridwar to Chandi Devi Temple. The trail offers a spiritually enriching and nature-immersed experience.
- Ropeway (Chandi Devi Udankhatola): Enjoy a scenic ride on the cable car, known as Chandi Devi Udankhatola, that takes you directly to the temple from Chandi Ghat.
- For transportation, the nearest railway station is Haridwar railway station, just 4 km away. If arriving by air, the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is approximately 40 km from the temple.
Mansa Devi Temple
One of the famous tourist attractions in Haridwar is the Mansa Devi Temple. It is located on top of the Bilwa Parvat hill in Haridwar. Mansa Devi Temple is accessible by cable car or trekking, and both methods offer worthwhile experiences. According to popular belief, if you pray to the goddess Mansa Devi, all your wants and desires will come true.
You can ask for her blessings and give your prayers to have satisfaction, success, and happiness in your life. You can walk the temple complex and observe the religious rituals and festivities that take place there after you have prayed in the temple. You can tie sacred threads or present floral garlands as offerings in the temple.
How to reach: Mansa Devi Temple can be reached using these convenient methods:
- Cable Car (Mansa Devi Udankhatola): Enjoy a cable car ride from the base station near Haridwar Railway Station to reach the temple. The panoramic views during the ascent are truly captivating.
- Trekking: Embark on a trek of around 2.5 km from either Haridwar or the Mansa Devi Rope Bridge. The trek offers a spiritually uplifting experience amidst natural surroundings.
- Ropeway Combo Ticket: Consider a combo ticket that allows you to use both the cable car and the rope bridge, providing different perspectives of the temple and the city.
The nearest bus station to Mansa Devi Temple is ISBT Haridwar at around 4 kms.
Daksh Temple
When you go for Haridwar sightseeing, you can plan a visit to the Daksh or the Daksheshwar temple. Daksh Temple is a famous shrine that holds great historical and religious significance. When you set foot on the temple grounds, an ancient period rich in myth and legend comes to life.
Daksh Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, is considered the location of a historic yajna (holy fire rite). You will come across elaborately carved statues and historic buildings as you tour the temple complex, which bears witness to Haridwar’s rich cultural past. The Daksh Temple reminds you of divine power and the value of maintaining long-standing customs.
How to reach: From the railway station in Haridwar, you can take a bus or a taxi to the temple. The nearest bus station is ISBT haridwar located at 4 kms.
Pentagon Mall
If you are looking for something beyond the river ghats and temples, go to Pentagon Mall, one of the famous Haridwar attractions. The Pentagon Mall is a bustling shopping area where you can find everything. The mall is home to various stores that sell clothing, accessories, electronics, and other items from domestic and foreign companies. You can discover fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment on the different floors.
The mall has a food court and several restaurants to satisfy your appetite with food and mouthwatering delicacies. The Pentagon Mall offers a one-stop shop for all your shopping and leisure needs, whether looking for a fashionable wardrobe, the newest technology, or simply a place to relax and grab food.
How to reach: From Haridwar railway station, the Pentagon Mall is 10 km away. You can take an auto-rickshaw to reach there.
Rajaji National Park
In Uttarakhand’s Shivalik Range foothills, Rajaji National Park is a pristine wilderness to immerse yourself in its wonders. Rajaji National Park spans a vast area and has several plants and animals. You can go on an exciting jeep safari across the tracks in the park. Look for spectacular animals, including elephants, tigers, leopards, and other deer species.
With over 300 bird species living there, including the threatened Great Hornbill and the colorful Himalayan Kingfisher, the park is also a birdwatcher’s delight. Rajaji National Park provides chances for trekking, camping, and nature hikes in addition to wildlife viewing, letting you discover the raw splendor of the Himalayan foothills. For those looking for some water adventure or a peaceful location for a picnic, the calm rivers within the park offer a refreshing respite. Rajaji National Park is one of the best places to visit in Haridwar.
How to reach: You can easily reach Rajaji National Park from Haridwar railway station by taxi.
There are numerous places and holy locations that can mesmerize your heart and soul in these places to visit in Haridwar. Haridwar offers a strong link to the spiritual world, from the alluring Har Ki Pauri with its hypnotic Ganga Aarti to the sublime presence of Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi Temples atop the hills. When you visit Haridwar, you can connect with the almighty and rejuvenate your soul and spirit. With its spiritual aura and profound significance, Haridwar continues to be a timeless location that draws pilgrims and those looking for inner calm time and again.
