Top 12 places to visit in Haridwar

Haridwar is a holy city located in the state of Uttarakhand, India. The city is visited by millions of tourists every year, and it is considered one of the best places to visit in India. Tourists like to make pilgrimage journeys to Haridwar and explore all the temples located within the city. 

 

How to reach Haridwar?

By air: To reach Haridwar by air, tourists need to travel to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. The airport is a domestic terminal and is well-connected to other major cities in India. International travellers can first reach Delhi or Kolkata airports and then take connecting flights from here. Haridwar is only 35 km from Jolly Grant Airport and can be reached by cabs or buses.

By rail: The Haridwar railway station is the prime connecting point of Haridwar city with other parts via railways. The station receives regular trains from all major cities like Delhi and Kolkata. If direct trains are not available, tourists can travel to Dehradun Station and then take a connecting train here.

By road: Tourists can easily reach Haridwar from Delhi via roadways. The NH 344 acts as the connector between the two cities and takes under 5 hours to commute. Alternatively, tourists can also reach Haridwar from Amritsar via NH 44.

 

12 best places to visit in Haridwar

If you want to visit the city, you can take a grand tour of the temples and the hills which surround them completely. The tranquil Ganges river flows through the heart of the city and offers holy water to the temples. Here is a list of places to visit in Haridwar for all tourists who want to visit the city:-

Mansa Devi Temple

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Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar is a highly spiritual place for Hindus in India. This temple is one of the three pilgrimage sites in Haridwar. Among the top places to visit in Haridwar, the temple is dedicated to the goddess Mansa Devi who is a form of Shakti. 

Legends say that the temple has the power to grant boons of dedicated devotees who come and pray here. The temple can be accessed by ropeway and roadways, depending on your requirements. You can offer puja at the temple and explore its premises as a part of your trip.

 

Chandi Devi Temple

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Chandi Devi temple is another major pilgrimage site among the top places to visit in Haridwar. Located close to the Mansa Devi temple, this temple is also located in the Shivalik hills. You can take a tour of this ancient temple and offer puja when the temple is open. 

It can be accessed by the same ropeway, and you will even get a discount if you combine the two Tirth places. The views from the temple are breathtaking, and you will enjoy touring this spiritual place in Haridwar. Devotees of the Shakti sect should definitely pay a visit to this temple if possible.

 

Har Ki Pauri Ghat

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Har Ki Pauri Ghat in Haridwar is a major tourist spot among the places to visit in Haridwar. This peaceful Ghat is the prime spot for daily Ganga Aarti, which is a sight to behold. In the evening, the priests of Haridwar perform the puja near the Ganges, and devotees often float diyas in the waters. 

The Ganga Aarti itself is a tip attraction in Haridwar that should not be missed. According to the Hindu mythologies, any person who takes a dip in the Ganges is cleared of all sins. You can also dip your feet in the cool water of the Ganges in the morning to complete your morning rituals and enjoy the calmness of the great river. 

 

Rajaji National Park

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The Rajaji National Park is a must-visit for all nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts travelling to Haridwar. The national park is spread over 820 sq km and offers tours to people visiting Haridwar. There are many animal species, including tigers, elephants, panthers, and bears. 

The trees of the Rajaji National Park are home to around 400 birds that nest here every summer. The park tour will take you through its premises and give you an opportunity to watch the animals in the wild. You can travel to the park with your family and have a quiet time among nature and animals.

Timings: 

• Morning: 6 am to 9 am
• Evening: 3 pm to 6 pm

Fees and charges	For Indians (In Rs.)	For Foreigners (In Rs.)
Entry free	150	600
Vehicle Road Fee	250	500
Camera Fee: (a) Still (b) Movie/Video	–2500.00	50.005000.00
Videography Charges (a) Feature Film (b) Documentary	20000.002500.00/- per day	20000.00  5000.00/- per day
Security for videography (a) Feature Film (b) Documentary	25000.0015000.00	40000.0040000.00

 

Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple

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Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, or the Daksha Mahadev temple, is another important temple in Haridwar. Among the top places to visit in Haridwar, the temple is located in the town of Kankhal. You need to travel only 4 km from Haridwar to reach the holy temple. The temple itself is named after King Daksha Prajapati, the father of Sati. 

The temple conducts regular pujas, which can be attended by all tourists. You can offer worship at the temple and explore its premises in a single day. The temple premises offer a quiet abode for people wanting to enjoy their time away from the crowded city of Haridwar. The peaceful temple is ideal for spiritual reflection amidst beautiful nature.

 

Shantikunj Ashram

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The Shantikunj Ashram in Haridwar is a renowned ashram and headquarters of the All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP). The Ashram was established in 1971 by Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya. Many tourists like to visit the temple to find peace and enlightenment. The highly spiritual place invites tourists and followers from all over the world. 

You can visit the Ashram to understand the philosophy behind their ideology and seek guidance to find your spiritual self. The teachings of the Ashram will benefit you in great ways and rejuvenate your mind completely. You can easily reach the Ashram by public transport and even choose to stay over if you want.

 

Sapt Rishi Ashram

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The Saptrishi Ashram in Haridwar is another important spiritual site that is visited by tourists from around the country. The age-old ashram is said to be the meditation spot for seven famous Rishis. The Ashram itself is located only 5 km from Haridwar and calmly sits on the banks of the Ganges. 

The Ashram was commissioned by Goswami Guru Dutt in 1943 and even offers several rooms for residence. An active Sanskrit school within the complex offers free education for poor children. You can visit the spot where the River Ganga splits into seven different streams and emerges as the sapto sarovars. Both private and public transport will take you to the Ashram.

 

Ma Anandamayi Ashram

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Maa Anandamayi Ashram is dedicated to the famous spiritual and mystic poet Sri Ma Anandamayi. The Ashram was built in 192 after the death of the Mother. Her remains were buried in the Ashram, which has now become a tourist attraction among the places to visit in Haridwar. 

People who want to enlighten themselves spiritually and seek the blessings of the Mother can visit the Ashram any time of the year. The cool marble structure is extremely inviting and upholds the serenity of the place. You can visit the Ashram by road and rail. There are plenty of hotels and suites nearby if you want to stay over near the Ashram.

 

Vaishno Devi temple

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The Vaishno Devi temple is an extremely spiritual place in Haridwar and is a popular tourist attraction here. The temple itself is created seeking inspiration from the Vaishno Devi Temple in Kashmir. The temple is one of the most important temples among the top places to visit in Haridwar. A devotee has to navigate through stairs and crawl spaces to reach the main deity and offer their worship. Regular pujas at the temple can be attended by devotees who come here from time to time. The temple is located within the city premises and can be reached easily.

 

Maya Devi temple

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Maya Devi Temple in Haridwar is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. Mythologically it is believed that Sati’s naval and heart fell here, and the temple is constructed on those remains. People from all over India visit this place, and therefore it continues to be one of the best places to visit in Haridwar. Devotees can visit the temple and complete visiting all three pilgrimage spots in Haridwar. You can bask in the peaceful ambience of the temple and spend your evenings away from the crowded temples in Haridwar. You can find the temple easily within the city premises, so transport is not a problem.

 

Vishnu Ghat

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Vishnu Ghat in Haridwar is among the best places to take a dip in the Ganges. This clean and well-maintained Ghat is used by hundreds of devotees to take a bath in the holy waters of the Ganges. You can easily travel to the Ghat and spend some time enjoying the serenity of the river. The spot also offers an amazing sunset and even sunrise, which will mesmerise you and make you feel at peace. 

Spend some time enjoying the peace at this Ganga Ghat and watch the sun go down over the horizon. Local transport will easily take you to the Ghat any time of the day. Additionally, you can choose to stay back at the site at the numerous hotels which line the roads on the opposite end. 

 

Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple

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Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple is situated in the hilly areas of Bilva Parvat. The temple is visited by Hindu pilgrims every year. The main deities of the temple are Shiva and Parvati. It is said that Goddess Parvati had meditated in this place to attain Shiva as her husband. 

The serene location of the temple and the tranquil ambience makes it one of the best places to visit in Haridwar. You can travel to the place by railway and enjoy the temple premises throughout the day. You can even stay back nearby and experience the beauty of nature to its fullest.

 

FAQs

Is Haridwar worth visiting?

Haridwar is an extremely holy and spiritual place that is an abode for Hindus in India. Additionally, the city is surrounded by mountains and has the tranquil Ganga River flowing through its heart. This awe-inspiring beauty of the city makes it worth visiting.

What is the best time to visit Haridwar?

The best time to visit Haridwar would be in the months of April, May, September, and October.

How many days are enough for Haridwar?

Tourists who want a complete experience of Haridwar should spare at least two days to tour the city.