Haridwar: Explore Ancient Pilgrimage Site In Shavlik Range!

Haridwar is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrim destinations in India. It is situated in the North Indian state of Uttarakhand. The geographical peculiarity of the place is that it is from here that the holy river Ganga gets separated from the region of the Himalayan foothills.

Moreover, a lot many sacred activities are taking place in the city of Haridwar related to the river of Ganges. You can spot a number of bathing steps in the location of the city. These are popularly known as sacred ghats. Ganga Aarti is another important ritual you can enjoy during your visit to the city of Haridwar. Below we have mentioned a few best places to visit in Haridwar.

During this time the river Ganga would be fully lit up with a lot of lamps floating over it. Kanwar Mela is another auspicious religious festival you can see happening in the city. The beauty and grandeur of the city can be completely understood during these times of the year.

This is also a place where the industrial sector flourishes and contributes significantly to the economy of the state and the nation. You should make a customized plan before hitting the destination making use of the suggestions below. 

Shanti Kunj

This is one of the globally renowned ashram centers you can find in the territory of Haridwar. It is also regarded as the headquarter of All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP). It was in the year 1971 that the Ashram got established in the city of Haridwar. This is also one of the best places to visit in Haridwar.

Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya was the man behind the establishment of the same. Spirituality seekers are the major tourist category seen visiting the location of Shanti Kunj. You can easily reach the location of Shanti Kunj from the city center of Haridwar.

This will only take you a distance of 4.3km or 15 minutes. There are not any charges to enter the ashram. And you can spend a good 1-2 hours inside the ashram according to your convenience and preferences. A lot of foreigners are also seen visiting the location of the ashram with an intention of regenerating spiritually.

Gayatri Pariwar of the ashram is now admired and followed by millions of believers across the globe. The ashram has also got a golden history of visits from renowned spiritual personalities such as Murai Bapu, Dalai Lama, and so on. 

Har Ki Pauri

This is another center having due religious significance in the city of Haridwar. People consider this place one of the most sacred Ghat locations. This is also one of the popular landmarks in the city. So that accessing this location would not become a herculean task.

Worshipping the river Ganges is the main agenda behind visiting the place. People are seen offering prayers and paying due respects to the river from the ghats seen on the river bank. The name of the ghats; “Har ki Pauri” when translated, gets the meaning of “Steps to Lord Shiva”. We have added har ki puri to our list of the best places to visit in Haridwar.

According to the mythical beliefs in the religion of Hinduism, you can have a dip in the water of these ghats if you wish to wash away all the sins committed till then. This place has also got the significance of being the location of a Hindu mythological event in which Garuda, the celestial bird accidentally spits some drops of “Amrit” or elixir. The golden hue of the water of the ghats during the lamp floating ceremony is one of the best things to be seen in the location. 

Chandi Devi Temple

This is a Hindu temple devoted to the Hindu Goddess, Maa Chandi Devi in the city of Haridwar. Neel Parvat is the exact location of this Devi Temple. This hilly region can be seen on the Eastern side of the Sivalik Hills.

Considering the entire Himalayas, this region is found at its southernmost end. The devotees visiting the location of the temple consider it a Siddh Peetha in the territory of Haridwar. The peculiarity of Siddh Peetha is that it is a place where you will get your wishes fulfilled if prayed mindfully. This is also a wonderful places to visit in Haridwar.

There are a total of three such Siddh Peethas in the holy city of Haridwar. Mansa Devi Temple and the Temple of Maya Devi are the other two among them. In order to visit the shrine of Haridwar you are required to climb the steps of the mountain of Neel Parvat.

There are around 350 stairs from the ground to the location of the temple on top of the hill. So if you feel like not physically fit to climb the steps, think twice before venturing out. The Chandi Devi of the temple is worshipped as an incarnated variant of the Hindu Goddess, Parvathi. 

Mansa Devi Temple

This is a temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Mansa Devi in the sacred city of Haridwar. The location of this temple can be seen in the Bilwa Parvat in the Sivalik Hills region of the Himalayas. This temple is regarded as the holy abode of the Devi worshipped in the shrine. The translated meaning of the word “Mansa” is ” related to mind”.

This name is attributed to the goddess worshipped here on account of the story behind her origin. It is believed that the birth of this Devi happened inside the mind of Lord Shiva. Mansa Devi is thus also considered to be an incarnated avatar of the Hindu Goddess Parvathi otherwise known as Shakti.

Naga is another important figure in Hindu mythology and the Devi Mansa is considered the sister of the same. Vasuki is the other name of the serpent by which it is popularly known among Hindu believers. Some people also consider Mansa Devi as the daughter of Lord Shiva. In order to reach the destination of the temple, you need to go on a comparatively easy trek of 3km in the location. 

Vaishno Devi Temple

On hearing the name of Vaishno Devi Temple, you may get easily directed to the Vaishno Devi Temple in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Just as the name suggests, this temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess, Vaishno Devi. Vaishno Devi is also respected as a manifested avatar of the Hindu Goddess, Lakshmi.

The distinctiveness of the temple is the geographical peculiarity of the place. You can see a lot of caves and geographical formations in the surroundings of the place. So that you can also visit the place not just for a spiritual purpose but also for something that’s exciting naturally.

From the city center, you can reach the destination of the temple in just a distance of 7.3km. It would only take a duration of 30 minutes to explore the location and experience all its features and characteristics.

Apart from Goddess Lakshmi, you can also see the idols of Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Kali in the temple. Pilgrims make wishes on their visit to the temple since they believe that the goddess has got the power to fulfill them. 

Daksha Mahadev Temple

This is also another pilgrim location you can visit on a trip to Haridwar. This temple is also known by the name, Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple. Lord Shiva devotees are the major pilgrims seen in the location of this temple. The month of Saavan is considered to be quite holy and auspicious considering the temple of Daksha Mahadev.

A greater crowd is experienced in the temple and its surroundings during this festive season. The word “Daksha” in the name of this temple is derived from the name of the father of Sati, also the father-in-law of Lord Shiva. This is also one of the most interesting and mostly talked-about things about the temple of Daksha Mahadev.

This temple was built by Rani Dhankaur in 1810 A.D. The Daksha Mahadev Temple is the site where Daksha performed a Yagna #NamamiGange pic.twitter.com/kmU9C161AU

— Namami Gange (@cleanganganmcg) June 15, 2019

You need to travel a distance of 5.2km from the city center in order to reach the destination of this temple. In order to visit the shrine, pray and do the offerings, it may take an average duration of 1 hour. You can also get delicious food like Prasad from the temple on your visit. Moreover, the colors and vibrance of the temple are also quite impressive. 

Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar

Once you are done visiting the pilgrim destinations and sacred places in the city of Haridwar, you can also try your hands at some environmental or natural experiences possible in the location. You will fall in love with this place if you are interested to indulge in observing the beauty and elegance of the birds in the location.

Most of the environmental enthusiasts and nature buffs visiting this holy city are never seen missing out on the experience catered by the place. Apart from that you can also see a lot many adventure lovers in the location making use of the peculiarities of the landscape and geography of the city of Haridwar to satisfy their quench for thrills and fun.

This location is also perfect to meet a lot of exotic flora and fauna that are specific to the location. Even if it is an environmentally sensitive location, this is not located in the interiors of the city of Haridwar. It will only take you a matter of 9 minutes to reach the destination from the city center. 

Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary

Another destination is the city of Haridwar where the sensitive Himalayan topography, landscape, and biodiversity are awaiting you with all beauty and pride. The wildlife sanctuaries like this break the age-old convention of typecasting the city of Haridwar as just a pilgrim destination in the Indian subcontinent.

You can visit the location as a retreat to nature and also detoxify yourself from the hustle and bustle of city life. This would be an amazing experience if you would like to indulge in the tranquillity of mother nature and interact with the organisms and creatures seen in the Southern Himalayas.

Moreover, breathing the fresh air in the location is sufficient to fill you with fresh thoughts and moods during your visit. Moreover, if you are a lover of wildlife and biodiversity, this would be a highly satisfying experience for you during the entire Haridwar vacation.

You can hit the place along with your family, and friends or solo according to your preference. This location welcomes everybody with that all-inclusiveness and charm. Plan your visit from 6 in the morning to 6:30 in the evening to the sanctuary. 

Bharat Mata Mandir

Another temple in the holy city of Haridwar has greater national prominence. This temple unlike the other temples and pilgrim destinations listed above is not just famous for its mythological specialties. The picturesqueness of the temple is the other thing attracting tourists to the location.

The temple structure is built on a total of 8 floors indicating its grandeur of the same. You can easily reach the destination of the temple in just a matter of 3.6km. Moreover, this temple visit can be completed in around half an hour. So that visiting the temple won’t steal much of your time in the city of Haridwar.

Unlike the other temples in which the main deity of worship is a religious figure, the Bharat Mata temple worship Mother India as its main deity. It was in the year 1983, that the temple got established in the territory of Haridwar.

The inauguration of the temple is done by Smt Indira Gandhi, India’s Late Prime Minister. In every story of the temple, a distinctive story or theme is portrayed attracting the curiosity of the visitors to the temple. 

Vishnu Ghat

Another sacred bathing step you will find on your trip to Haridwar. Serenity and mindfulness make this ghat distinctive from other ghats in the city. Moreover, this ghat is situated in the city center of Haridwar so you don’t need to depend on a transport option while traveling to the location of Vishnu Ghat.

Vishnu devotees are mostly seen in the location of this ghat on their visit to Haridwar. Generally, the crowd you can see in the location of Vishnu would be relatively lesser. So that if you would like to experience the vibe and culture of the place without rushing into the hustle and bustle of pilgrimage, this would be the best place to choose from.

Moreover, the cleanliness and order of this ghat in comparison with the other ghats in the region are also commendable. Just like the other ghats in the city of Haridwar, taking a dip in the water in the Vishnu ghat is also believed to have the capacity to wash off the sins the devotees have committed in the entire course of their life.

Even if you are not that spiritually driven, you can simply visit the ghat to indulge in the cultural atmosphere peculiar to the city. 

Gau Ghat

Gau Ghat is another significant bathing step you can explore in a Haridwar vacation. The translated meaning of the Hindi word, “Gau” in the name of the ghat is “Cow”. This itself shows the close connection this place has got with the cows. Just like all other bathing steps in the city of Haridwar, you can wash off your sins by taking a dip in the water of Gau Ghat.

But, this will not help you wash off all kinds of sins you have committed in your life so far. Taking a bath in the ghat is only meant to wash off your sins if you have done any cow killing in your lifetime.

Cows are considered holy animals according to Hindu mythology. Killing them is regarded as sinful so this ghat is particularly meant to get you rid of any such sins. The eateries found near the location of the ghat serve quite different and delicious food options for the tourists. The distance is also quite near to the Haridwar city center. 

Best Time To Visit Haridwar

October-February

How To Reach Haridwar?

Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport

Nearest railway station: Haridwar Junction Railway Station (HW)

Conclusion

A major center in the Indian subcontinent for Hindu pilgrimage. Also, a center to explore Himalayan biodiversity, landscape, and vegetation. Perfect for spirituality and tranquillity seekers.

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