Haridwar is one of the seven holy cities of Hinduism and one of the four homes of the Kumbh Mela. Come for the evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri, when thousands of lamps float down the river, then take the ropeways to the Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi temples. Rishikesh is 25 km upriver.
Highlights
- Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri at sunset
- Mansa Devi temple by ropeway
- Chandi Devi temple across the river
- Shantikunj and the ashrams
- Rajaji National Park for elephants
- A day in Rishikesh
What to eat
- Kachori and aloo sabzi breakfast
- Puri and halwa at the old sweet shops
- Lassi and rabri
Where to stay
Hotels near Har Ki Pauri for the aarti, or calmer ashram stays and hotels towards Rishikesh.
Getting there
Haridwar Junction has fast trains from Delhi (about 4.5 hours). Dehradun airport (DED) is about 35 km away.
Tips
- Haridwar is a vegetarian, alcohol-free city.
- Arrive at Har Ki Pauri an hour before the aarti to get a spot on the ghat.
- Avoid the Kanwar Yatra weeks in July-August unless you are taking part: roads close.
Best time to visit
Oct-Nov, Feb-Apr. See what else is good in October and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Haridwar
- Shakumbhari Devi Goddess Shakumbhari
- Neelkanth Mahadev Shiva as Neelkanth, who drank the poison of the ocean
- Har Ki Pauri The sacred ghat on the Ganga
- Mansa Devi, Haridwar Goddess Mansa Devi
Places to see in and around Haridwar
13 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Har Ki Pauri Temple, 1 km
- Rajaji National Park National park, 19 km
- Har ki Pauri Ghat, 1 km
- Ananda in the Himalayas Wellness retreat, 28 km
- Daksheswara Mahadev Temple Temple, 3 km
- Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar Temple, 3 km
- Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar Temple, 1 km
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Temple, 23 km
- Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar Temple, 0 km
- Mohan Pass Mountain pass, 37 km
- Beatles Ashram Temple, 23 km
- Gurdwara Gyan Godri Sahib Temple, 1 km
- Virbhadra Temple Temple, 17 km
Food to try in and around Haridwar
Uttarakhand favourites to look out for.
- Kapa
- Chudkani
- Dubuk
- Jholi
- Bal mithai
- Singodi
- Malai laddu
- Daarim ki khatai
- Munsyari Rajma GI: rice or grain
The full food passport, state by state.
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