Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Main God
Lord Vishnu
Timings
Open 24 hours
Location
Haridwar
Type
MAJOR
Take a sacred bath in the Ganga at the designated bathing ghats. Metal chains are provided to hold onto as the current is strong. The water is cold year-round. This ritual is believed to wash away sins.
Visit the ancient Brahmeshwar Temple adjacent to the ghat, one of the oldest temples in Haridwar. Also visit the Ganga temple and the footprint of Lord Vishnu (Hari Charan) embedded in the wall of the ghat.
Arrive by 5:00 PM to get a good spot for the iconic Ganga Aarti (6:00-7:00 PM in summer, 5:00-6:00 PM in winter). Priests perform the fire ceremony with large multi-tiered lamps while thousands of diyas float down the river. One of the most spectacular religious ceremonies in India.
Purchase a leaf boat diya with flowers and a candle from the ghats and set it floating on the Ganga while making a wish. Watching thousands of flickering diyas float downstream during aarti is a mesmerizing experience.
Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249401
By Bus
Excellent bus connectivity from Delhi (5-6 hours), Rishikesh (30 minutes), Dehradun (1 hour), and other Uttarakhand cities. Both government (UTC) and private buses operate.
By Air
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (35 km). Taxis and buses connect the airport to Haridwar.
By Rail
Haridwar Junction is one of the best-connected railway stations in Uttarakhand with trains from Delhi (4-5 hours), Mumbai, Kolkata, and all major cities.
Local Transport
Auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, and e-rickshaws are the main transport within Haridwar. Walking is the best way to explore the ghat area. Parking is available at Gau Ghat (1 km from Har Ki Pauri).
