The holy city of Haridwar translates to "Gateway to God," and this breathtaking destination, replete with ancient temples and sacred ghats, is a magnet for religious pilgrims from all over the globe....
Haridwar
Gateway to the Gods
Uttarakhand, India
4.8
Ganga AartiHar Ki PauriTemples
spiritual
Duration: 1–2 Days
Budget/day: ₹1,000 – ₹3,500
Best season: Oct – Apr
Altitude: 314 m
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (35 km)
Nearest railway: Haridwar Junction (1 km)
Best places to visit in Haridwar
Things to do in Haridwar
- No photoSpiritualView full guide
1–1.5 hours
Ganga Aarti
Witness the mesmerizing evening fire ritual at Har Ki Pauri ghat where priests perform synchronized prayers with flaming lamps to the sacred Ganges river. The ceremony fills the air with chants, bells, and the scent of incense.
- No photoCultural / SightseeingView full guide
1–2 hours
Ghats Walk
Stroll along the iconic ghats of Haridwar — Har Ki Pauri, Kushavarta, and Subhash Ghat — absorbing the spiritual energy, watching pilgrims take holy dips, and observing the daily rituals of life along the Ganges.
- No photoSpiritual / SightseeingView full guide
3–5 hours
Temple Hopping
Explore Haridwar's famous temples including Mansa Devi Temple (accessible by cable car), Chandi Devi Temple, Maya Devi Temple (one of the Shakti Peethas), and Daksha Mahadev Temple — each with unique mythological significance.
Best Time to Visit and Weather Info
Best time: October to April
Kumbh Mela (every 12 years) and Ardh Kumbh (every 6 years) draw tens of millions of pilgrims. Next Kumbh: 2033.
Winter
Best Time ⭐Oct – Feb
5°C – 20°C
Most pleasant. Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is most beautiful in crisp, clear evenings.
- Evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri — arrive by 5 PM
- Take a ritual dip in the Ganga at Har Ki Pauri
Monsoon
Avoid 🔴Jul – Sep
22°C – 32°C
Ganga floods. Dangerous river currents. Rafting suspended.
- Temple visits fine
- Avoid riverside areas during heavy flooding
How to Reach
✈️By Air
Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (35 km)
Duration: ~50 mins
Daily flights from Delhi. Taxi from Jolly Grant to Haridwar.
Taxi: ₹600 – ₹900
Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet
🚂By Train
Station: Haridwar Junction
Excellent connectivity to Delhi, Mumbai, and all major cities. Station is centrally located.
- Shatabdi Express — Delhi (4.5 hrs)
- Mussoorie Express — Delhi (6 hrs)
🚌By Road
UPSRTC and Uttarakhand Roadways buses from Delhi and other cities. Excellent road connectivity.
- Delhi: 220 km, 4.5 hrs via NH-58
- Rishikesh: 25 km, 45 mins via NH-58
- Dehradun: 52 km, 1.5 hrs via NH-72
Itineraries
Local Food
Haridwar is a sattvic city with no meat, fish, or alcohol served anywhere. Famous for puri-sabzi, halwa-puri, and sweet shops.
Aloo Puri
Deep-fried puri with spiced potato curry — the quintessential Haridwar breakfast.
Where: Mohan Ji Puri Wale, near Har Ki Pauri
₹40 – ₹70
Chole Bhature
Fluffy fried bread with spiced chickpeas — popular morning and lunch dish.
Where: Restaurants near the Ganga ghats
₹60 – ₹100
Rabri Jalebi
Hot crispy jalebis dunked in cold thick condensed milk — a Haridwar special.
Where: Big Ben Sweet Stall, Har Ki Pauri
₹60 – ₹100
Lassi
Thick creamy yogurt drink served in kulhads — available all over the ghats.
Where: Stalls near Har Ki Pauri
₹30 – ₹60
Haridwar is a strict no-meat, no-alcohol zone. Even eggs are not served in the city's restaurants.
FAQs
- Haridwar (Gateway to God) is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism. Famous for the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi temples, and as the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra.
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Nearby destinations
Rishikesh
19 km · Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas along the banks of the sacred Ganges, Rishikesh is celebrated as the Yoga Capital of the World and a premier adventure destination in India. Spiritual seekers flock here for ashrams, meditation retreats, and the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat, while thrill-seekers come for world-class white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and trekking. The iconic Lakshman Jhula suspension bridge and the vibrant café culture of the Beatles Ashram make Rishikesh an unmissable stop on any northern India itinerary.
Dehradun
43 km · Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand, sits in a verdant valley surrounded by the Shivalik Hills and serves as the gateway to some of India's most beloved hill stations. Known for its pleasant year-round climate, prestigious educational institutions, and the renowned Forest Research Institute, the city blends colonial charm with modern amenities. Nearby attractions like Robber's Cave, Sahastradhara waterfalls, and the Mindrolling Monastery make Dehradun an ideal base for exploring the Himalayan foothills.
Lansdowne
51 km · Lansdowne is a quiet and beautifully preserved cantonment hill town in Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district, sitting at 1,706 meters among thick oak and blue pine forests and offering a rare glimpse of a hill station unspoiled by mass tourism. Named after a British Viceroy, the town retains its colonial character through its neat, well-maintained buildings, the historic Garhwali Rifles Regimental Museum, and the scenic Bhulla Lake. Lansdowne's peaceful ambience, forest walks, birding opportunities, and magnificent views of the Himalayan ranges from Tip N Top and Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple make it a perfect off-the-beaten-path weekend escape.
