Best Places To Visit In Haridwar

The famous pilgrimage destination of Haridwar which all pious Hindus make sure to visit at least once in their lifetime offers one with a fulfilling religious expedition with the numerous ‘places to visit’ that Haridwar has. Here are the major ones…

Har ki Pauri

Har ki Pauri, an auspicious ghat set on the banks of the holy Ganges at Haridwar is believed to have been constructed under the initiative of King Vikramaditya who ordered the construction of this ghat in remembrance of Bharthari, his dear brother. The ghat is named ‘Har ki Pauri’ because it has a slab bearing foot imprints and those imprints are believed to be those of Lord Vishnu’s feet. Har ki Pauri is the location where Kumbh Mela, Ardh Kumbh Mela are held at an interval of every 12 years. The evening Ganga aarti at Har ki Pauri is a sight of celestial beauty. The glistening and rippling waters are lit up by numerous floating diyas amid the chanting of mantras and ringing of bells.

Parad Shivling

Parad Shivling housed within Harihar Ashram falls in the Kankhal area and is about 2kms away from the Haridwar city. The shrine belongs to Lord Shiva and has a Shivling with a weight of about 150kg. Apart from this hefty Shivling, the shrine campus also has an ancient and rare tree of Rudrash which makes a prime attraction for visitors to Parad Shivling.

Gau Ghat

Gau Ghat situated across the Subhash ghat is a site of great religious import. People visit the ghat especially to get redemption from the guilt and sin of cow slaughter. Thus the ghat has been named as ‘Gau’ ghat with ‘gau’ meaning ‘cow’. Also, at Gau ghat people perform the last rites of their ancestors in order to bring peace to their souls. Gau ghat has been made famous because at this same place immersion of the ashes of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi took place post their last rites.

Maya Devi Temple

Maya Devi temple belongs to Goddess Maya, an incarnated form of Goddess Shakti. This ancient temple is a Siddh peeth and one among Haridwar’s Siddh peeth trio. Pilgrims embarking on Siddh peeth yatra of Haridwar make sure to visit Maya Devi Temple along with the other two Siddh peeths, namely Chandi devi temple and Mansa Devi temple. The temple enshrines three idols- one of the Goddess Maya, another of Goddess Kali and the third one of Goddess Kamakhya.

Kamraj-ki-Kali Temple

The kamraj is Kali temple belongs to Goddess Kali and is located at a distance of about 7 kms from the Haridwar rail station on Haridwar – Rishikesh Highway. Pilgrims flock in large numbers at the temple to pay obeisance to Goddess Kali, the Goddess who is empowered to slay demons and end all evils.

Doodhadhari Barfani Temple

This temple falls within the premises of the Ashram of Doodhadhari Barfani baba. Apart from spiritual significance, marvelous construction pattern evident in the temple architecture pulls tourists from far off places. The temple is constructed out of gleaming snow white marble and looks too beautiful. Within the same premises, there are many other temples belonging to other gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. Among those, Hanuman mandir and Ram-Sita temple too are worth-visit places.

Daksheswara Mahadev Temple

This temple is a bright testimony to the famous Hindu legend of King Daksha. King Daksha was the father of Lord Shiva’s wife Dakshayani. Dakshayani was the first wife of Lord Shiva. King Daksha Prajapati, according to legends, held a Maha yagya in which Lord Shiva, his son-in-law was not invited intentionally. Despite this Lord Shiva entered into the yagya venue. To this, he was bitterly insulted by his father-in-law, King Daksha. Dakshayani, the wife of Lord Shiva could not bear her husband’s insult and self-immolated by pouncing into the fire of yagya kund. Shiva’s tremendous anger gave birth to a demon known by the name of Virbhadra who killed King Daksha. The king however regained life in some time after which his human head was replaced by that of a goat’s with the miraculous power of Lord Shiva.

Bharat Mata Temple

Swami Satyamitranand Giri founded the magnificent Bharat Mata Temple in honor of Mother India. The temple campus and the different floors are decked with the statues of various legendary historical figures, freedom fighters and mythological deities. The temple’s first floor comes with a resplendent sculpture of Desh mata or Bharat mata and the temple is a huge eight-storied building by Ganges side.

Chandi Devi Temple

Atop the Neel parvat stands Chandi Devi Temple and was constructed under the initiative of King Suchat Singh. A trek of 3kms from Chandighat followed by a cable car ride needs to be undertaken to reach Chandi Devi Temple. Myths hold that at this very spot Goddess Chandi had put an end to Chanda-Munda, the commander-in-chief in the army of Sumbha-Nishumba, the two heinous demon kings. Also, common beliefs point out that Adi Guru Shankaracharya around 8th century had placed the main deity of Mata Chandi within the shrine.

Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary

Chilla wildlife sanctuary is also differently called Rajaji Wildlife sanctuary and extends to an area of about 249sq kms. Chilla wildlife sanctuary houses varied kinds of wildlife species such as tigers, small cats, bears, elephants. The abundance of flora at the sanctuary creates an enchanting natural setting for visitors. This sanctuary is located 18kms away from Haridwar.

Bara Bazaar

Bara Bazaar is a bustling market area of Haridwar located right on Haridwar rail station road. Haridwar, being a pilgrimage destination, offers a variety of items needed for worship or puja samagri, which is the major category of goods here. However, one can also shop for Ayurvedic medicines, milk-based sweets, Rudraksha beads, handicrafts, and digestive powders (churans) from the vibrant Bara Bazaar.

Patanjali Yog Peeth

Patanjali Yog Peeth, founded by Baba Ramdev, is one of the largest yoga institutes in India today. It is located along the highway between Delhi and Haridwar and receives a large number of visitors daily who come for yoga therapy, Ayurvedic treatments, and holistic wellness programs.

Bhimgoda

This legendary and historical site is situated approximately 1 km from Har-ki-Pauri. According to mythology, during their journey to the Himalayas, the thirst-stricken Pandavas stopped here. Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, struck a rock with his knee, releasing a spring of water that formed the Bhimgoda Kund. The name "goda" means knee, commemorating this tale.

Bhuma Niketan Temple

Bhuma Niketan is a revered temple in Haridwar known for its tranquil ambiance and spiritual aura. Devotees visiting this temple often feel a deep sense of peace. It is one of the spiritual centers that pilgrims frequently visit while exploring the sacred town of Haridwar.

Mansa Devi Temple

Atop Bilwa Parvat stands the Mansa Devi Temple, an abode of Mansa Devi, the Goddess of wish fulfillment. A cable car ride takes you to this unique temple, which houses two forms of the goddess — one with five arms and another with eight arms. The ride offers splendid panoramic views of the surrounding natural beauty.

Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar

Located on Bhimgoda Barrage, Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar is a serene bird sanctuary that becomes home to a wide variety of migratory birds. The presence of Siberian cranes adds to its fame, making it a must-visit spot for bird watchers and nature lovers.

Pavan Dham

Pavan Dham, an ancient temple, is situated about 2 km from Haridwar town and 3 km from Har Ki Pauri. The temple is renowned for its intricate glasswork and beautifully decorated idols, attracting devotees and tourists alike.

Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple is a serene site in Haridwar. Set amidst a tranquil environment with scenic beauty, this temple offers a peaceful retreat to calm the mind and soul.

Ganga Temple

The Ganga Temple, located at Har Ki Pauri, is devoted to Goddess Ganga. It holds immense religious significance, with thousands of pilgrims gathering here to pay homage and seek blessings from the divine river goddess.

Vaishno Devi Temple

This recently constructed temple in Haridwar is a replica of the original Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu. Visitors pass through a series of caves and rock tunnels to reach the inner sanctum. It is believed that devotees are blessed only if they pray with sincerity and a pure heart.