HARIDWAR
Haridwar, an ancient city, is also an important Hindu pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand. Located on the banks of the River Ganga, this town stands at the foothills of the Himalayas. It is the second largest city in Uttarakhand with a poulation of over 2 lac. Haridwar is also the entry point to Dev Bhoomi and Char Dham.
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Billed as the "Gateway to the Gods", Haridwar plays host to a number of important religious events such as the Kumbha Mela, which is celebrated every 12 years in Haridwar. During this Mela, millions of pilgrams congregate in Haridwar to perform ritualistic bathing on the banks of the Ganga River to wash away their sins to attain Moksha. The next Kumbh Mela will be celebrated in 2021 and the preparations are already underway.
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For wildlife and adventure lovers, the Rajaji National Park is located just 10 kms from Haridwar.
Kumbh Mela 2021
In the largest congregation of pilgrims in the world, millions of people attend the month long Haridwar Kumbh Mela.
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Held every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela this year takes place from April 1-28th. Due to the Covid pandemic, restrictions and guidelines are in place for attending this event.
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Click here for more information about the mela
Haridwar Har Ki Pauri | Arti Ganga Haridwar | Haridwar at Night |
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Haridwar landscape | Haridwar Ganga Ghat | Har Ki Pauri |
ATTRACTIONS
Har Ki Pauri
Haridwar, Uttarakhand
The famous ghats on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar, Har Ki Pauri is a major landmark of the city. This place is considered to be the exact spot where the Ganges leaves the mountains and enters the plains. It is also the site of the Kumbh Mela which takes place every 12 years.
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People visit Har Ki Pauri for the Ganga Arti, which is performed every evening by the priests at sundown. In this tradition which is over a hundred years old, lights are placed on the waters to drift downstream.
Temples
Haridwar, Uttarakhand
There are at least 17 temples that can be visited in Haridwar. Almost every street has at least one temple where ringing bells and mantra chanting can be heard. One of the more famous temples in Haridwar is the Mansa Devi Temple. Located on the hilltop, one can reach the temple by cable car or just walk up. Enjoy the beautiful view of the city from the top. The Maya Devi temple on the riverbank and the Chandi Devi temple on Neel Parvat are some of the other important temples that can be visited.
Adventure Tours
Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Apart from the spiritual and religious aspects of Haridwar, the city also attracts the adventure lovers. The city has earned a name when it comes to exhilarating activities such as trekking, bird-watching and rafting. Visit Rajaji National Park, which has a large population of wild elephants and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a tiger!