Haridwar is the holy city where the holy river Ganges or Ganga descends from mountains of Gangotri glacier. Literally meaning Gateway to God, Haridwar is the one of the holiest places to Hindus, especially for Har ki Paudi (meaning 'footsteps of the lord') where drops of Amrit(Nectar) fell accidentally. The spiritual cleansing offered by Ganga ghat in Haridwar attracts many Indians and foreigners to seek solace and also to get one with its culture. The evening aarti at Har ki Paudi spellbinds thousands of visitors with gongs, drums, chanting of priests, and sound from conch shells.

Places to See

Begin with the sacred ghat of Har ki Paudi, especially before the sunset to attend the Ganga aarti. Less than a kilometre from Har ki Paudi is Bhimgoda (literally, 'Knee of Bheem'), a water tank said to be created by blow of Bheem's knee on Ground when Pandavas were moving to Himalayas via Haridwar.

Move to the temple of Chandi Devi on foot or through trolley ropeway called Udan Khatola. Next in list is Mansa Devi temple on Bilwa Parwat for splendid statues of Goddess and a sprawling view of the city.

Other religious stops can be Sapt Sarover, the 150 kg Parag Shivling, Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar (the bird sanctuary on the banks of the Ganges river) and the beautiful Barfani Temple, carved in beautiful white marble.

While in Haridwar, it would be a good idea to visit Rishikesh, just 25 kilometres above Haridwar. Take a shared auto or a bus to reach Rishikesh in less than 30 minutes while enjoying the panoramic sights en route. Another place you must not miss is the town of Kankhal, just 4 kilometres from Haridwar. Visitors come to Kankhal mostly for the ancient Daksheswara Mahadev temple which has a long history of Gods, battle, and sacrifices.

The next well known stopover is the Sati Kund, where Sati, the first wife of lord Shiva laid down her life. Owe it to devotion or superstition, thousands of visitors from across the nation visit Sati Kund to seek blessings of Goddess Sati.

Places to Eat

Being a Hindu pilgrimage sight, Hardwar largely offers vegetarian food, which is both delicious and cost effective. The food space is largely dominated by hygienic conventional eateries (also known as Bhojanalya), which now coexist with some modern-looking restaurants.

After enjoying a dip in Ganga at Har Ki Pauri, saviour the rich food like chana bhatura, halwa, and lassi at the nearby Chotiwala restaurant. Another good option for Indian food is the Jain Bhojanalya near the famous Jairam Ashram.

Tip: Avoid going to a restaurant/eatery if you see its tables are vacant!

Things to Do

Take part in the evening 'aarti' offered to the Goddess Ganga at Har Ki Pauri, where pilgrims float lamps and incense on the river, in commemoration of their deceased ancestors. Also visit the Jairam Ashram, to see the famous diorama exhibition, and a statue depicting the mythological event, Samudra Manthan, which is the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Take a dip in the waters at Har Ki Pauri, to attain Moksha.

Owing to strong influence of Hinduism, Haridwar sees various enthusiastic fairs organised here across the year. Ganga Dussehra, Kartik Poornima, Somwati Amavasya, and Shravan Poornima are some of these dates. Pilgrims in heavy numbers come to Haridwar during Kanwad mela.

Lastly, the Kumbh mela and Ardh Kumbh mela happens at Haridwar after every 12 years and 6 years, respectively, attracting millions to take dip in the holy Ganges.

In essence, Haridwar is a destination to enjoy beauty, religion, and culture in a harmonious coexistence.

The nearest gate of the Rajaji National Park from Haridwar is 9 km away. The national park is a must visit for wildlife and adventure lovers. Other places to visit from Haridwar include Kankhal (3 km), Dehradun (52 km), Meerut (141 km), Mussoorie (90 km), Saharanpur (81 km), and Rishikesh (26 km).

Shopping

While it is acknowledged that shopping is not usually part of the itinerary of a pilgrim visiting Haridwar , the city does offer a variety of interesting products to its visitors. The main shopping centres Haridwar are considered to be Upper Road, Moti Bazaar, Jwalapur and Kankhal. Intricately carved stone idols and toys are unique souvenirs of Haridwar , where the stones used are obtained from the Ganges. One should also visit the Government Handloom and Handicrafts Emporiums, as well as the Gandhi Ashram, where you can find a range of handicrafts, as well as various types of jewellery.