Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places in Hinduism, also known as “Gateway to Lord Vishnu.” It is considered as one of the four places where drops of Amrit, the elixir of immortality, accidentally spilled over from a pitcher while being carried by the celestial bird Garuda. Haridwar is also known as “Mayapuri,” “Kapila,” “Ganga Nagari,” and “Shiva Nagari”. It is one of the four venues for the Kumbh Mela, a major pilgrimage and festival in Hinduism.Here we are Exploring the Ancient City Haridwar.
Historical Significance of Haridwar :
- Haridwar has a rich cultural and historical significance, with several ancient temples and ashrams, including the Mansa Devi Temple, the Maya Devi Temple, and the Parmarth Niketan Ashram.
- Haridwar is also an important center for Ayurveda and Yoga, with several traditional Ayurvedic centers and yoga ashrams offering treatments and teachings.
- Haridwar is also home to the Gurukul Kangri University, one of the oldest institutions of traditional Indian education.
- Haridwar has been an important center of Hindu religion, culture, and education for centuries and continues to attract thousands of tourists and devotees every year.
Mythological Significance:
- It is also believed that the souls of the dead pass through Haridwar on their way to the afterlife.
- The city is home to several ancient temples and ashrams, and is a popular destination for spiritual seekers and tourists alike.
- The Kumbh Mela, a major religious festival that is held every 12 years, attracts millions of pilgrims to Haridwar.
Famous Places to visit in Haridwar
1. Har Ki Pouri
The most famous place to visit in Haridwar, Har Ki Pouri is one of the most sacred sites in India. It is also one of the four major Shiva temples in India and stands at the banks of river Ganga with holy ghats and steps where devotees attend Mantra recitation and Kirtan (Hindu chanting). The name ‘Har ki Pouri’ translates to ‘Steps to Lord Shiva’.
2. Chandi Devi Temple
It is located atop of Neel Parvat is dedicated to Goddess Chandi. To reach this temple there are two ways; trekking up and taking a scenic ropeway ride. This temple is believed to have been built by Adiguru Shankracharya as a dedication to his Prayaga Tapasya which he undertook at Neel Parvat in Kiradu hills near Haridwar.
3. Ganga Aarti
Ganga Aarti or Ganga Pooja is performed daily in various temples, ashrams and ghats across Haridwar where the priests make offerings of flowers, leaves, incense sticks and diyas while mantras are chanted as offerings for purifying souls lost from their bodies due to sins committed in past life courses. It’s an event worth attending if you’re luck enough to be present during that time.
4. Mansa devi Temple
It is dedicated to Goddess Durga located atop Bilwa Parwat just 3 km away from Haridwar town center. Visitors can take part in morning and evening poojas (rituals) at both the shrines here along with Abhishekam (auspicious bath) which can be done in nearby dharamshala on any day except Tuesday when it remains closed for public visits due to Mandalabhishekam event being organised on that day only.
5. Pawan Dham
It located 5 km away from main Haridwar centre was constructed by His holiness Jagdev Shamar Rishiji Maharaj who made tremendous contributions for preserving Hindu culture & values through spiritual learning & guided tours around its premises corresponding pavilions having spiritual discourses as well as arrangement for traditional puja/yagna done by trained priest appointed exclusively here only.
6. Bharat Mata Mandir
It is another must-visit spot situated near railway station making one aware about our nation’s history & its evolution since ancient times till today while visiting our homeland’s landmarks such as Ram Janmabhoomi, Tanjore Bigtemple etc spanned inside various fascinating galleries erected across Bharat Mata mandir campus extending knowledge & insightfulness.
7. Rajaji National Park
It offers best wildlife adventure activities that include safari rides offering beautiful sights of endangered species like tigers, honey badgers and more apart from birds such as red-naped ibis nesting around River Song scapes.
Activities to do in Haridwar
- River Rafting: Haridwar is one of the most popular destinations for River rafting in India. The holy city offers an exciting adventure trip to the Ganges and discharge with sensational rapids that leave you awestruck and asking for more.
- Temple Visit : Visiting temples at Haridwar is a must do activity during your visit there. One of the most renowned temples present here is the Mansa Devi Temple located on Bilwa parvat – a hillock in Shivalik Range near Haridwar.
- Sacred Puja at Ganga Aarti: You must definitely experience taking part in evening or morning puja at Gangaji Ghat, where ‘Ganga Aarti’ is celebrated every day. You can take part in this unique ritual that involves numerous lamps being lit up along with chantings of Vedic mantras, making it a very spiritual scene to behold amidst great tranquility.
- Nature Shootings: If you are someone with aesthetic preferences & photographic interests, then Haridwar will be more than just paradise for you! It houses many locations which offer beautiful views & diverse scenery perfect for photography that you’ll absolutely admire.
Delicious Local Cuisine & Traditionals Treats of Haridwar
- The local cuisine in Haridwar includes traditional dishes such as “kachaudi,” a lentil-based dish, “bhang ki khatai,” a sweet made from cannabis leaves, and “aloo ke gutke,” a dish made from potatoes and spices.
- Other traditional treats include “gujiya,” a sweet dumpling filled with a mixture of dry fruits and “laddoo,” a sweet made from gram flour and ghee. Visitors to Haridwar can also try “chaat,” a popular street food, and “thandai,” a cold drink made with a mixture of nuts and spices.
Where to stay in Haridwar ?
Haridwar is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims alike, and with so many options for staying places, it can be difficult to decide where to book your accommodation. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best staying places in Haridwar, including their prices and facilities.
In the table below, you can compare the prices and facilities of these staying places in Haridwar:
| Hotel Name | Prices | Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Ganga Kinare | INR 4,000 per night | Swimming pool, spa, fitness centre |
| Hotel Krishna | INR 1,500 per night | Restaurant, 24-hour front desk, room service |
| Hotel Ganga View | INR 2,500 per night | Restaurant, 24-hour front desk, room service |
| Hotel Ganga Dham | INR 2,000 per night | Restaurant, 24-hour front desk, room service |
| Hotel Saffron | INR 2,500 per night | Restaurant, 24-hour front desk, room service |
Special Events to attend in Haridwar
- Kumbh Mela: This is one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world and takes place every 12 years in Haridwar. The event is a celebration of the victory of good over evil and attracts millions of devotees from all over the world.
- Ganga Aarti: This daily ceremony takes place at the Har-ki-Pauri ghat and is a beautiful display of devotion and faith. Visitors can witness the lighting of hundreds of lamps and the singing of hymns as the sun sets over the river Ganges.
- Kanwar Mela: This annual event takes place during the month of Sawan (July-August) and is a pilgrimage of Lord Shiva’s devotees. They carry water from Ganges to their respective places, this is known as ‘kanwar’ and is considered to be a very auspicious act.
- Maha Shivratri: This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva and takes place annually in February or March. The highlight of the festival is the all-night vigil at the temples, during which devotees offer prayers and perform rituals.
- Navaratri: This festival is celebrated for nine days and is dedicated to the worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. The festival is marked by traditional music and dance performances, and the city comes alive with vibrant colors and energy.
Averages Daily Temperture of Haridwar
| Month | Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°C) | Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 22 |
| February | 8 | 23 |
| March | 12 | 27 |
| April | 16 | 31 |
| May | 21 | 36 |
| June | 25 | 39 |
| July | 27 | 38 |
| August | 27 | 38 |
| September | 25 | 36 |
| October | 21 | 32 |
| November | 15 | 27 |
| December | 9 | 22 |