Xenium Holidays

One of India's seven holiest sites, Haridwar is situated in the state of Uttarakhand, amid the foothills of the Himalayas. The city is renowned for its spiritual significance and its association with the holy Ganges River, which is said to have come down to earth from heaven. An major Hindu pilgrimage place, Haridwar receives millions of visitors annually. At Haridwar, a dip in the sacred Ganges River is thought to cleanse sins and aid in achieving moksha, or freedom from the cycle of life and death.

Attractions

Har Ki Pauri

The most well-known ghat in Haridwar is Har Ki Pauri, which is situated alongside the Ganges River. For Hindus, this is a sacred place where Lord Vishnu is said to have imprinted his footsteps. King Vikramaditya built the ghat as a tribute to his brother Bhuri Singh.Tourists come here to take a bath in the sacred waters, engage in religious rites, and watch the evening's well-known Ganga Aarti. Chanting, music, and lamp offerings to the river are all part of the captivating aarti event. The ghat is open all day for prayers and swimming, and the evening Ganga Aarti is done daily at sundown.

Mansa Devi Temple

This temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Mansa Devi, is one of the Siddha Peethas, which are thought to grant devotees their wishes. It is stated that the sage Kashyapa's mind is where the goddess first appeared. The temple provides sweeping views of the city and the Ganges from its perch atop the Bilwa Parvat.
Activities: Trekking up the hill or taking a cable car trip are the two ways visitors can get to the temple. During the Navratri festival and other religious events, the temple is very packed.

Chandi Devi Temple

One of Haridwar's Panch Tirths, or five sacred sites, this temple is devoted to the goddess Chandi. Here, the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha are said to have been slain by Goddess Chandi. With a magnificent view of the town and the Ganges, the temple is perched atop Neel Parvat.
Activities: You can hike up a steep hill or take a cable car to reach the temple. It is particularly busy during Navratri and Chandi Chowki, two holy occasions.

Maya Devi Temple

One of Haridwar's oldest temples, Maya Devi Temple honours the goddess Maya, who is thought to be the origin of creation's strength.It is regarded as a significant component of the Char Dham Yatra and is situated in the centre of Haridwar. Open all day, with a particularly high volume during the Navratri celebration.
Activities: Prayers and blessings for prosperity are the main reasons why devotees gather here. The heart of Goddess Sati is said to have fallen there, making it one of the Shakti Peethas.

Bharat Mata Mandir

The walls of this unusual temple, which is devoted to Mother India, are adorned with a sizable relief map of India. It represents the solidarity of the Indian people.

Activities: The temple is a symbol of national pride and patriotism, with several storeys devoted to various deities.

Swami Vivekananda Dham

One of the few amusement parks in Haridwar is Swami Vivekanand Park, which is close to Har ki Pauri. With its triangle shape, the captivating park features flower gardens, verdant lawns, and a huge monument of Swami Vivekananda that serves as its focal point. Swami Vivekanand Park's enormous statue of Lord Shiva, which is visible even from a distance, is another noteworthy feature. That makes this park perfect for running and day picnics.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

A Hindu temple devoted to Nilkanth, a facet of Shiva, is called Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. The temple is located in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India, approximately 120 kilometres from Pauri town, the district seat, and 32 km from Rishikesh. The Dravidian architectural style had a strong effect on the temple's design.
The temple is a well-known Hindu pilgrimage place and is devoted to Shiva. It is close to the Nar-Narayan mountain ranges and encircled by thick forests. It is situated at the meeting point of the Pankaja and Madhumati rivers and is surrounded by the valleys of Manikoot, Brahmakoot, and Vishnukoot.

Rajaji National Park

India's Uttarakhand state is home to Rajaji National Park, a national park and tiger reserve. It is close to the cities of Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar. The park is well-known for its abundance of wildlife, scenic beauty, and elephant population.  Wild animals in the park include:

• Bengal monitor
• Brahminy blindsnake
• Burmese python
• Common krait
• Hanuman langur
• Indian cobra
• Indian crested porcupine
• Indian flying fox
• Indian grey mongoose
• Indian hare
• King cobra
• Oriental garden lizard
• Rhesus macaque
• Russell's viper
• Smooth-coated otter
• White-bellied giant flying squirrel

The park is home to more than 315 bird species, while the surrounding area is home to more than 500 bird species, including both migratory and resident species.

Kankhal

Kankhal is a small, ancient hamlet and one of the Panch Theertha, located in the holy city of Haridwar. The Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, the revered Sati Kund, and numerous Ashrams are well-known in this area. In addition to a number of temples and ashrams, Kankhal is home to numerous Havelis and estates. Kankhal, believed to be Lord Shiva's summer capital, and Kurukshetra, his winter city, are mentioned in the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata. The city, which is 3 miles from Haridwar, attracts many pilgrims from all across the country because of its historical significance.

Things to do in Haridwar

Ganga aarti hari ki pauri

In Haridwar, the Ganga Aarti is done at Har Ki Pauri Ghat. One of Haridwar's most well-known attractions is Ganga Aarti. Prayer for the Ganga River is known as Ganga Aarti. Gods and godesses are the objects of prayers. In India, the Ganga River is more than just a river; it is the Divine Mother. Water from the Ganga River provides life. When you dip in its sacred water, sins are likewise washed away. Souls are also freed by the Ganga River. It's an entire civilisation, not simply a river. Historically, the Ganga River's banks have been home to millions of people. Her water is still valuable to India's crops. The Ganga River is revered as a goddess that formerly resided in heaven. To grant his forefathers (who had been cast to ashes by the curse of the sage Kapil) freedom, Saint Bhagirath engag

Haridwar temple tour

A Haridwar temple tour is a spiritual journey through the city's sacred sites, including temples, ghats, and ashrams. Haridwar is a city in Uttarakhand, India, and is considered one of the country's holiest cities. Temples including :

• Bharat mata mandir
• Chandi mata mandir
• Maya devi mnadir
• Mansa devi mandir
• Neelkanth mahadev temple
• And others.

Rajaji national park safari

India's Uttarakhand state is home to Rajaji National Park, a national park and tiger reserve. It is close to the cities of Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar. The park is well-known for its abundance of wildlife, scenic beauty, and elephant population.  Wild animals in the park include:

• Bengal monitor
• Brahminy blindsnake
• Burmese python
• Common krait
• Hanuman langur
• Indian cobra
• Indian crested porcupine
• Indian flying fox
• Indian grey mongoose
• Indian hare
• King cobra
• Oriental garden lizard
• Rhesus macaque
• Russell's viper
• Smooth-coated otter
• White-bellied giant flying squirrel

The park is home to more than 315 bird species, while the surrounding area is home to more than 500 bird species, including both migratory and resident species.

Shopping in Bara bazaar

Known for its ayurvedic medications, handicrafts, and religious items, Bara Bazar is a bustling market in Haridwar, India. Both locals and visitors find it to be a popular attraction.
What to purchase:

• Religious objects: brass deities, Rudraksha beads, and other religious accessories
   
• Ayurvedic medications: Bara Bazar's speciality
• Wooden objects: candles, objects made of wood, and more
• Handicrafts: jackets, woollen garments, shawls, and more
• Traditional attire: There is a wide selection of traditional attire.
• Sweets and snacks: jalebis, kachoris, peda, and more

Yoga and meditation

In the Indian holy city of Haridwar, yoga and meditation sessions are available through the Haridwar Yoga and Meditation program. The goal of the program is to assist individuals in being physically, mentally, and spiritually well.
Ancient yoga and meditation techniques are the program's main focus.
Yoga teachings are available for participants to immerse themselves in.
The program's goal is to assist participants in finding harmony and inner peace. Yoga helps people focus on the here and now by using movement and breathwork. People can teach their minds to focus on a single thing through meditation, such as their breath or a mantra.

Best time to visit Haridwar

Winter (September to April):

• This is considered the best time to visit Haridwar. The weather is cool and pleasant, ideal for sightseeing and participating in the Ganga Aarti and other spiritual activities.

Summer (May to June)

This is also the time when many people visit Haridwar for religious reasons, especially during the Kumbh Mela (which occurs every 12 years), attracting large crowds.

Monsoon (July to August):

• The monsoon season can bring heavy rainfall, which might disrupt outdoor plans and make the Ghats slippery.

How to visit haridwar

By Train

• Haridwar has its own railway station (Haridwar Junction) that is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and other parts of northern India.

By Road

• Haridwar is well-connected to nearby cities by national highways. The city is about 200 km from Delhi (approximately 5-6 hours by car).

By Air

• The nearest airport to Haridwar is in Dehradun, about 35-40 km away from the city. The Jolly Grant Airport (DED) has domestic flights connecting Haridwar with major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

History

Haridwar offers a tapestry of Indian culture and civilisation, making it a haven for nature lovers. Haridwar, often called the "Gateway to Gods," is also referred to as Mayapuri, Kapila, and Gangadwar. According to some, this location is called Hardwar by devotees of Lord Shiva (Har) and Hardwar by devotees of Lord Vishnu (Hari). Additionally, it serves as a gateway to Dev Bhoomi and Char Dham, which are the four primary Uttarakhand pilgrimage sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

In order to save his forefathers, the mythical king Bhagirath is credited with bringing the Ganga river down from heaven. It is also claimed that the presence of the three gods Mahesh, Vishnu, and Brahma has hallowed Haridwar. It is stated that Lord Vishnu's footprints

One of the four locations is Haridwar, where Ardh Kumbh takes place every six years and Kumbh Mela happens every twelve. A dip in the Brahmakund on this day is considered to be very auspicious because it is said that drops of Amrit (Elixir) fell into the Brahmkund of Har-Ki-Pauri. Once every twelve years, when Jupiter (Brahaspati) enters the sign of Aquarius (Kumbh), Haridwar celebrates the Maha Kumbh fair.

FAQs

What is Haridwar famous for?

One of India's seven holiest sites, Haridwar is well-known for the Ganges River, the Har Ki Pauri ghat, and the colourful Ganga Aarti. It is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site, particularly for those who want to cleanse themselves of sins by taking a holy dip in the Ganges.

Is Haridwar safe for tourists?

Yes, most people agree that Haridwar is a safe place to visit. Nonetheless, it is advised to take the standard safety measures, like protecting your possessions, particularly in crowded areas, and using caution when swimming in the Ganges.

What are the main attractions in Haridwar?

Some major attractions include:

• Har Ki Pauri (for the Ganga Aarti)
• Mansa Devi Temple
• Chandi Devi Temple
• Daksheswar Mahadev Temple
• Rajaji National Park
• Sapt Rishi Ashram

What is the significance of Har Ki Pauri?

Lord Vishnu is said to have left his footsteps in Har Ki Pauri, one of Haridwar's holiest ghats. Devotees frequently visit this location to take a sacred dip in the Ganges.

Can I visit Haridwar during the Kumbh Mela?

Yes, the Kumbh Mela, a massive religious event that draws millions of pilgrims, is held in Haridwar every twelve years. Planning ahead is crucial if you plan to visit at this period because, despite being a significant spiritual event, it also attracts big crowds.