11 Best Places to Visit in Haridwar 2024 | Haridwar Tourist Places 2024 | Things to Do in Haridwar | Best Time to Visit in Haridwar | Haridwar Travel Guide 2024 | Uttrakhand Tourism
History of Haridwar
One name in the English language is very popular for Haridwar “The Gateway To God.” Haridwar is the largest centre of Hinduism’s faith in India. Hari and Dwar combined these two words. This holy Hindu pilgrimage site is named Haridwar. Hari means God and Dwar means door.
And when these two words are combined, it means the entrance to the house of God. In the history of ancient India, the name of this place is heard more than Gangadwar, and apart from Gangadwar, this place was called by many names.
According to the mythology, when Lord Dhanvantari was passing through this place with the Amrit Kalash, a few drops of nectar fell at this place. It is believed that the drops of nectar from Amrit Kalash fell at four different places in India – Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayagraj.
The Maha Kumbh held once every 12 years in India is held in turn by these four holy places. Today, the developed countries of the world are engaged in spending a huge amount of money on collecting data on the citizens of their country, but Haridwar is a place where the complete details of the genealogy of every Hindu family are available even today.
People who have followed the Hindu religion for centuries come to Haridwar to perform bone poisoning to attain their salvation after the death of their family. From the Hindu family who came for bone poisoning, their family priest living in Haridwar writes in an account after taking information about other members of the family from them.
Thus this amazing process of collecting family details of the genealogy of Hindu families continues to this day. If you are a Hindu and you want to know about your descendants, then you should only know the name of your family priest and your work will be done in Haridwar.
Places to visit in Haridwar
Har ki Pauri Haridwar
There are many ghats on the banks of the holy Ganges River flowing in Haridwar, but Har Ki Pauri is the busiest ghat here. According to the legend associated with this place, Lord Shri Vishnu’s feet are lying in this place, so this place is called Har ki Pauri, footprints are built on top of rock here on the ghat, it is believed that The footprints belong to Lord Shri Vishnu.
According to another legend, the nectar that fell from the urn in Haridwar fell at this place of Haridwar, hence Har ki Pauri is also called Bramha Kund. A crowd of devotees and people who have come for bone poisoning of their family will be seen in Har ki Pauri throughout the year.
Starting from 4 pm, Ganga Aarti is a special attraction of Har Ki Pauri, the duration of the Aarti at the ghat is two and a half hours. You get to experience different energy here at the time of Ganga Aarti. After the Ganga Aarti, walking on the walkway built on the ghat is also a different pleasure.
Mansa Devi Temple Haridwar
Being a mythological religious city, the area around Haridwar has ancient and famous temples of many deities of Hinduism. The temple of Mansa Devi is one of the most famous temples of Haridwar, according to the belief that Mansa Devi is the Manas, daughter of Lord Shiva, hence she is called Mansa Devi.
Another mythological story related to the emergence of Mansa Devi is also heard that it is said that Mansa Devi was born from the forehead of sage Kashyapa. Mansa Devi is most worshipped as Naga Devi. Mansa Devi Temple is located just a few kilometres from Haridwar.
Every year lakhs of devotees come here to visit Mansa Devi, there is an unwavering devotion towards Mansa Devi. There are two ways to reach the Mansa Devi temple, the first way is the footpath, in which you will have to climb the mountain on foot which can be a bit of a tiring journey, the second is the way to get from the ropeway to the Mansa Devi temple Is the easiest way to reach the temple.
Mansa Devi Temple Haridwar Timings
Devotees and tourists can visit the temple from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Visitation of Mansa Devi temple is closed from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm.
Mansa Devi Temple Haridwar Entry Fee
Entry Free.
Mansa Devi Temple Haridwar Ropeway Ticket Price
The fee for going up and down from the ropeway is Rs. 122 / -.
Mansa Devi Temple Haridwar Ropeway Timings
Ropeway runs from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm from April to October, and from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm from November to March.
Chandi Devi Temple Haridwar
In the mythological period, when two demons named Shumbha and Nishumbha take over heaven. After that, the God of heaven worships Goddess Parvati to please her. Pleased by the worship of gods, Mother Parvati comes in the form of Chandi and kills Shumbha and Nishumbh. After killing both the demons Chandi Devi rests for some time on Nil Parvat located in the Shivalik mountain range of the Himalayas.
It is believed that after this mythological event, worship of Chandi Devi started on Nil Parvat. The idol of the goddess was established in the 8th century by Adi Guru Shankaracharya in the Chandi Devi temple, located 2 kilometres from Haridwar, and the current temple of Chandi Devi was built in 1929 by the then ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Suchat Singh.
There are two ways to reach the Chandi Devi temple, a walkway and a Ropeway. After going on foot, you have to climb 3 kilometres to reach the temple, which can be a tiring experience for you. At the same time, you get very beautiful views of the holy Ganges River flowing in the plains from Nil Parbat.
Like the Mansa Devi temple, lakhs of devotees and tourists visit the Chandi Devi temple throughout the year.
Chandi Devi Temple Haridwar Timings
Devotees and tourists are open to visit the temple from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Chandi Devi Temple Haridwar Entry Fee
Entry Free.
Chandi Devi Temple Haridwar Ropeway Ticket Price
Indian rupees 200/- per person is charged for going up and down from the Rope-way.
Chandi Devi Temple Haridwar Ropeway Timings
08:30 am to 06:00 pm.
Maya Devi Temple Haridwar
Maya Devi Temple located in Haridwar is the temple of Devi Maya, the presiding deity of Haridwar. According to the legend associated with this ancient temple, Goddess Sati, the daughter of King Daksha, was sati at this place and after her Sati, when Lord Shiva was taking her, her heart and navel fell around this place where today The ancient temple of Maya Devi remains.
The three oldest temples in Haridwar still exist today, the Narayana-Shila Temple, the Bhairava Temple, and the Maya Devi Temple. The Maya Devi temple was built in the 11th century. The statue of Maya Devi installed in the temple has three heads and four arms.
The head in the centre of the idol installed in the temple is worshipped as Maya Devi, the head of the left side is worshipped as Maa Kali and the head of the right side is worshipped as Kamakhya Devi. The Goddess is worshipped as Shakti in this ancient Maya Devi temple.
Maya Devi, located in the eastern part of Har Ki Pauri, is just 600 meters away from Haridwar railway station. During May Navaratri, the Maya Devi temple is full of devotees.
Maya Devi Temple Haridwar Timings
From 6:30 in the morning to 9:00 in the night, Maya Devi can be seen in the temple. The temple is closed for darshan from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Maya Devi Temple Haridwar Entry Fee
Entry Free.
Vaishno Devi Temple Haridwar
The Vaishno Devi temple located in Haridwar was constructed 10 years ago but due to its design and beautiful architecture, this temple has become famous among devotees and tourists very soon. The distance of Vaishno Devi temple from Haridwar railway station is only 5.6 km. To get to the temple you will easily get an autorickshaw from the station.
The Vaishno Devi temple built in Haridwar is a replica of the ancient Vaishno Devi temple located in Katra, Jammu. A man-made cave has been built in the temple to visit Vaishno Devi in Haridwar. So that the tourists and devotees who come here have a feeling like the real Vaishno Devi temple.
Every effort has been made to naturalize the cave built up to the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, and the temple builders have been successful to a great extent. No entry fee is charged in the temple.
Vaishno Devi Temple Haridwar Timings
Devotees and tourists can visit Vaishno Devi from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Vaishno Devi Temple Haridwar Entry Fee
Entry Free.
Bharat Mata Temple Haridwar
The situation in Haridwar Bharat Mata Mandir is not a mythological temple but is a temple dedicated to the saints of India, freedom fighters, Mother power and knights sacrificed in defence of the country. The Bharat Mata Temple was built on Sat Sarovar near the Ganges River in Haridwar.
Swami Nityananda Giri Maharaj constructed this eight-storey temple in 1983 and the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi inaugurated the temple. Apart from the statue of Bharat Mata in the Bharat Mata Temple, the temple also houses statues of saints, freedom fighters, Mother power and knights.
The eight floors of Bharat Mata Temple are divided into different parts. A statue of Bharat Mata has been installed on the first floor. On the second floor, there is a Shur-Mandir dedicated to the knights who died in defence of the country. On the third floor, there is a Mother Temple dedicated to the Mother Power of India.
On the fourth floor, there is a temple dedicated to the saints of India. On the fifth floor, the geographical beauty and proud history of the country are shown. A Shakti-mandir is built on the sixth floor, in which idols of different forms of Adi Shakti have been installed.
On the seventh floor, one can see the Dasavataras of Lord Vishnu and finally the eighth floor is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The distance of Bharat Mata Mandir from Haridwar railway station is 7 kilometres. Any type of photography in the temple is completely prohibited.
Bharat Mata Temple Haridwar Timings
Bharat Mata Temple is open for tourists from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Bharat Mata Temple Haridwar Entry Fee
Entry Free.
Saptarshi Ashram – Sapta Sarovar Haridwar
Sapt Sarovar is situated very close to Bharat Mata Temple, the Ganges river is divided into seven different streams. According to a legend, in the mythological period, when the Sapta Rishi was engaged in deep penance at this place together.
So at that time, the river Ganga divided itself into seven different streams so that its flow would not cause any disturbance to the austerities of the Sapta Rishis. Since that time, this place has been known as Sapta Sarovar. Even today the river Ganga flows in different streams from this place.
Saint Goswami Gurudutt also established an ashram near Sapta Sarovar in 1943, even today many sadhus ascetics come to this ashram to do yoga meditation. Sapt Sarovar is the most suitable place to meditate and eternal peace on the banks of the Ganges River.
Shantikunj Haridwar – (Gayatri Shakti Peeth)
Located on the route from Haridwar to Rishikesh, Shantikunj is a social service organization and spiritual centre run by the Gayatri family. Apart from being a social service organization, Shantikunj is also the mainstay of the All India Gayatri Parivar. Shantikunj was founded in 1971 by Pandit Sri Ram Acharya of Gayatri family.
People associated with the Gayatri family also know Shantikunj as Yugatirth, many activities related to social welfare are organized in Shantikunj. Educational institutions also remain in the ashram, in these educational institutions, no fee is charged for education.
Gayatri Mata Temple, Haritima Devalaya, Hospital and Medical Center, Yajnashala, Gyan Mandir (Book Sale Center), Dev Sanskriti Reflection Exhibition, Akhand Deep, Temple of Rishis, Educational Institutions, Scientific Research Center and Devatma Himalaya Temple in Shantikunj Are done.
Throughout the year in Shantikunj, many camps related to spirituality, meditation and other activities are organized, and people from all over the world come to participate in these camps. Shantikunj is just 7 kilometres from Haridwar and one can visit any time of the day to see Shantikunj. No admission fee is charged in the ashram.
Shantikunj Haridwar Timings
Any time of the day.
Shantikunj Haridwar Entry Fee
Entry Free.
Kankhal Haridwar
Kankhal, located at a distance of 3.5 km from Haridwar, has the same mythological significance as Haridwar. Kankhal is narrated in many accounts related to Mahabharata and Lord Shiva. According to mythological beliefs, Kankhal is the place where Sati, the daughter of King Daksha, committed sati on her own when her father insulted Lord Shiva.
After that, Lord Shiva sent Virbhadra here and killed King Daksha. After the slaughter of King Daksha, Lord Shiva took the burning body of Sati from this place. Presently Kankhal is known as a suburb of Haridwar and the Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple at Kanakhal is also built to give recognition to the mythological event that took place between Lord Shiva and King Daksha.
Today Kankhal is the most densely populated area of Haridwar. Even today there are many ancient temples in Kankhal, according to shopping, the market of Kankhal in Haridwar can be considered a suitable place.
Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park, located at a distance of 21 km from Haridwar, is spread over three large districts of Uttarakhand block, Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal. This national park is one of the major national parks in Uttarakhand and is famous all over the world due to the number of elephants found here.
By 1983, this forest area was divided into three sanctuaries – Motichur, Rajaji and Chilla. In 1983, these three sanctuaries were merged to form Rajaji National Park. Rajaji National Park is named in honour of the great freedom fighter Chakravarti Rajagopalachari.
This national park is spread over 830 square kilometres and besides elephants, this national park contains wildlife such as Royal Bengal Tiger, Striped Hyena, Deer, Leopard, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Civets, Himalayan Yellow-Throat Marton, and Chital. Apart from wildlife, around 315 species of birds are also found in Rajaji National Park. Click here to learn more about Rajaji National Park.
Best time to visit Haridwar
Being situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, Haridwar receives a lot of rainfall, so it is best to visit Haridwar after the rainy season from October to the end of March. During summer, the humidity in Haridwar is high and the temperature is also high. Therefore, you may face some difficulty in visiting Haridwar during the summer season.
How to reach Haridwar
How to reach Haridwar By Flight
The nearest airport to Haridwar is Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun. Connectivity from major cities of the country to the Jolly Grant Airport is also excellent. If you are travelling to Haridwar from another country, then Indira Gandhi International Airport of Delhi is the nearest airport to Haridwar. Rail, bus and cab facilities are available from Delhi to Haridwar.
How to reach Haridwar By Train
Being a mythical city and the largest pilgrimage centre of the country, Haridwar is also well connected to other cities of India by rail route. Haridwar railway station is connected by rail to almost all major cities of the country.
How to reach Haridwar By Road
From any corner of India, you can reach Haridwar by road very easily. Haridwar’s connectivity to major cities of North India is very good. Regular private bus services and government buses are available to reach Haridwar from cities like Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. You can reach Haridwar very easily by your vehicle or even by cab.
Places to Visit Near Haridwar
Places like Dhanaulti, New Tehri, Tehri Lake, Narendra Nagar, Nag Tibba, Rajaji National Park, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Chamba, Dashavatar Temple, Malsi Deer Park, Mussoorie, Joranda Falls, Barehipani, New Tehri Township, Matatila Dam and Deogarh Fort have a huge list. Tourists can also enjoy many adventure sports such as river crossing, rock climbing, hiking and trekking at Camp Thangdhar. This camp provides other facilities to the tourists besides staying.
(If you have reached here in my article, then you have a small request from me to share your suggestions related to this article in the comment box below, and if you see any deficiency or any wrong information, then also definitely Tell me. I keep posting information related to travel on this website, if you like the information provided by me, then you must subscribe to my website through your email, thank you.)
