Haridwar
Photo: Livefree2013 (CC BY-SA 3.0)Ancient temple city where the Ganga enters the plains: Har Ki Pauri and its evening aarti, hilltop Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi temples, and Kumbh Mela host.
Spend an evening at Har Ki Pauri for the Ganga aarti and a morning on the ropeways to Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi. Easy rail access from Delhi.
November: Pleasant
When to go
Things to do
- Attend the evening Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri: About 19:00 in summer, 17:45 in winter
- Ride the ropeways to Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi: Combo ticket covers both ropeways and the bus between them
- Bathe at the ghats: Har Ki Pauri, Vishnu Ghat, Ganesh Ghat, Birla Ghat
- Ayurvedic treatment or ashram stay (Shantikunj, Sapt Rishi Ashram)
- Puri-sabzi breakfast near Upper Road
- Visit Har Ki Pauri: Open 24 hours; evening Ganga aarti about 19:00 in summer and 17:45 in winter
- Darshan / visit at Chandi Devi Temple: 06:00-20:00
- Darshan / visit at Daksha Mahadev Temple: 06:00-19:00
- Darshan / visit at Mansa Devi Temple: Summer 05:00-22:00, winter 04:00-21:00; bhog 11:00-11:15
- Darshan / visit at Maya Devi Temple: 06:30-12:00 and 15:00-21:00
- Safari / nature walk at Rajaji National Park: Morning 06:00-10:00, afternoon 14:00-18:00 (tourist season about November-June)
Top sights
Har Ki Pauri
Haridwar's main ghat on the Ganga, famous for the evening aarti with towering lamps and floating diyas.
Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar
Siddhapeeth temple of goddess Chandi on Neel Parvat across the Ganga, reached by ropeway.
Daksheswara Mahadev Temple
Shiva temple at Kankhal on the site of King Daksha's legendary yagna, with the Sati Kund nearby.
Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar
Hilltop shrine of goddess Mansa Devi on Bilwa Parvat above Haridwar, reached by ropeway or a 2 km path.
Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar
Shakti Peetha of Maya Devi, Haridwar's presiding goddess, from whom the old name Mayapur comes.
Lord Shiva Statue
Gurdwara Gyan Godri Sahib
Ancient religious site in Uttarakhand, India
Museum
Bharat Mata Mandir
Dedicated to Mother India, it is half temple, half nation-building exercise, with seven floors stacked with deities, saints, and secular heroes of all Indian faiths. Some signage in English.
Chandi Devi Temple
A temple dedicated to Chandi Devi on the Neel Parvat. It was built in 1929 by Suchat Singh, the King of Kashmir. The deity was said to have been installed by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. A cable car is available for the long journey.
Har Ki Pauri
To the north of the centre, this is Haridwar's focal point, where devotees gather to bathe and worship on the Ganges. According to legend, this is where a drop of nectar fell from the churning of the oceans when the world was created, and a stone wall has Vishnu's footprint. Each
Maya Devi Temple
Located on upper road. This temple is one of the 51 Shakti Pithas and it's the presiding deity of Haridwar. It is from this temple Haridwar derives its other name Mayapur.
Nature and outdoors
Where to eat
Hoshiyarpuri
Old Upper Road eatery near Har Ki Pauri, said to date from 1935, for North Indian vegetarian food and sweets.
Mohan Ji Puri Wale
Popular, budget puri-sabzi and kachori shop, a Haridwar breakfast staple.
Chotiwala Haridwar
Haridwar outlet of the Chotiwala restaurants near Har Ki Pauri for North and South Indian vegetarian food.
Captain's Cavalry
Namaste Foods
Dosa Plaza
A chain that offers 104 varieties of dosas, along with Indian and Chinese food.
Big Ben
Cafe Coffee Day
Green Gala Cafe
Jawahar Bhawan Canteen
Vigyan Kunj Canteen
Subway
Shopping
Nearby
Other destinations close to Haridwar.