Millions of people flock to Haridwar every year to take part in the annual pilgrimage. Because of there holy nature the city is meat and alcohol free and caters to people on various budgets and different tastes. Haridwar’s mystical and spiritual environment are the reason why it is considered a perennial holiday destinations for people all around the world.
TOP 8 PLACES TO VISIT
1.HAR KI PAURI
Har ki Pauri is one of the most revered places in Haridwar and literally means the Lord’s Footsteps. The most famous landmark at the Ghats is the footprint of Lord Vishnu himself. It is said that the precise location of the footprint is where the River Ganges enters plains from the mountains.
2.BHARAT MATA MANDIR
Bharat Mata Mandir was inaugurated in the year 1983 by Indira Gandhi and is inspired by a similar temple located in Varanasi. Each of the floors in the eight storey building is dedicated to the people of India who have enriched it with their lives and it salutes a different facet of India from its freedom fighters to its unique diversity.
3.VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE
The temple is a exact replica of the original temple and nestled in the ethereal beauty of Jammu and Kashmir. This holy shrine is dedicated to Maa Vaishno Devi, a manifestation of Hindu Goddess Laxmi. The sacred shrine of Viashno Devi is housed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
4.MAYA DEVI TEMPLE
The temple dates back to the 11th century AD and is dedicated to Maya Devi’s incarnation of Shakti. The temple was one of 4 ancient temples that are still intact after Haridwar was plundered by the The Central Asian conqueror Timur Lang. It is also the place where the heart and navel of the Goddess Sati fell after she immolated herself and is known as the Shakti Peetha.
5.DAKSHA MAHADEV TEMPLE
The temple was built in 1819 by Queen Dhankaur and is an important pilgrimage site for all Shiva devotees. (It was rebuilt in 1962). The temples location is one of three disputed sited in India and it is claimed that it is the place where Goddess Sati’s father Daksha Prajapati conducted a yagna, leading to a chain of events.
6.PAVAN DHAM
The temple was built in 1970 by Swami Vedantanand ji Maharaj. As one of the most visited pilgrimage sites the temple is famous for its unique temple architecture, craftsmanship and elaborately adorned idols. The unique and well crafted mirror and glass work is a marvel to behold.
7.VISHNU GHAT
As one of the most visited Ghats and named after the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu it is considered a sacred place as it is the spot where he took his bath and the water is said to relive all sins.
8.GANGA AARTI
Ganga aarti means worship of Ganga. Large fire bowls was hold by the priest in their hands, the bells starts ringing and the chants of mantras flowing out in the air. People float diyas, with flowers on Ganga. Shadows reflecting on the river and lighting diyas flowing looks so beautiful that it cannot expressed any words. The temple is famous for its Ganga Aarti at dusk among tourists as well as devotees.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE
- Piran Kaliyar
- Bhimgoda Tank
- Budhadhari Barfani Temple
- Sapta Rishi Ashram
- Parad Shivling
- Anandamayi Maa Ashram
- Patanjali Yogpeeth
- Mansa Devi Temple
- Shanti Kunj
- Shantikunj
- Chandi Devi Temple
- Patanjali Yogpeeth
- Chilla Range
- Ma Anandamayi Ashram
- Saptrishi Ashram
- Jai Ram Ashram
- Haridwar Railway Station
- Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple
- PremNagar Ashram
- Kutchi Lal Rameshwar Ashram
- Bholagiri Ashram
The best way to get around Haridwar is by bus, taxi, train and car.
The right time to visit would be February, March, August - October. The summer months between March and June when the days get hot but the nights remain pleasant.
