Haridwar travel guide

Gateway to the gods – the Ganga aarti at Har ki Pauri, hilltop temples and the Kumbh city

📍 Uttarakhand 6 places to visit Updated 1 Nov 2026

Haridwar is one of Hinduism’s seven holy cities, where the Ganga reaches the plains. Pilgrims bathe at Har ki Pauri and gather for its famous evening aarti, ride ropeways to Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi, and use the city as the start of the Char Dham yatra.

History of Haridwar

Haridwar – the “gateway to Hari (Vishnu)” or “gateway to Har (Shiva)” – is one of the Sapta Puri, the seven holy cities. Legend says drops of amrit fell here, which is why it hosts the Kumbh Mela every twelve years and the Ardh Kumbh in between.

Har ki Pauri – “the steps of the Lord” – is said to have been built by King Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Bhartrihari. Kankhal, to the south, is linked with the story of Daksha and Sati at the Daksheshwar Mahadev temple.

The Ganga Canal, built by the British in the 1840s–50s, starts at Haridwar and still shapes the ghats.

Best time to visit Haridwar

October–March is pleasant for ghats and safaris. Kanwar Yatra (July) and Kumbh years bring very large crowds.

Oct–Nov

Autumn · Pleasant

Dev Deepawali lamps on the ghats.

Best

Dec–Feb

Winter · Cool, foggy mornings

Cold river; quieter ghats.

Best

Mar–Jun

Spring & summer · Warm to hot

Char Dham yatra season starts.

Good

Jul–Sep

Monsoon · Heavy rain

Kanwar Yatra crowds in July.

Avoid

How to reach Haridwar

✈️

Nearest airport

Dehradun – Jolly Grant Airport (DED)

About 35–40 km (1 hour).

🚆

Nearest railway station

Haridwar Junction (HW)

In the city – Shatabdi, Vande Bharat and many trains from Delhi.

🚌

Bus stand

Haridwar ISBT near the railway station – buses to Delhi, Rishikesh, Dehradun and the hills.

From	Distance by road	Travel time
Rishikesh	About 25 km	45–60 minutes
Dehradun	About 55 km	1.5 hours
Delhi	About 220 km	5 hours
Mussoorie	About 90 km	3 hours
Chandigarh	About 200 km	4.5–5 hours

Distances and times are approximate and change with traffic and weather.

Famous places to visit in Haridwar

1Har ki Pauri

Temple 📍 City centre 🕘 Ganga aarti at sunrise and sunset

The main ghat, where thousands gather for the evening aarti and float leaf-boat lamps on the Ganga.

2Mansa Devi Temple

Temple 📍 Bilwa hill, above Har ki Pauri 🕘 Ropeway by day

A hilltop temple of the wish-fulfilling goddess, by ropeway or footpath.

3Chandi Devi Temple

Temple 📍 Neel hill, about 4 km 🕘 Ropeway by day

A temple across the river on Neel Parvat, also reached by ropeway.

4Maya Devi Temple

Temple 📍 Near Har ki Pauri 🕘 Morning to night

An old Shakti Peeth and the city’s presiding goddess.

5Kankhal & Daksheshwar Mahadev

Temple 📍 About 4 km 🕘 Morning to evening

An old quarter of havelis and ashrams with the Daksha temple on the Ganga.

6Rajaji National Park

Nature 📍 Chilla, about 10 km 🕘 Safaris mid-Nov to mid-Jun

Forest safaris with elephants, deer and birds; tigers and leopards are seen at times.

Timings and entry fees change – please check locally before you go.

🪔 Ganga aarti at Har ki Pauri

When: Every evening around sunset (earlier in winter)
Arrive: 45–60 minutes early for a good spot
Do: Float a diya in a leaf boat

Timings change with the season – ask your host for today’s time.

Haridwar itinerary

1 day in Haridwar

Day 1

Morning dip and Maya Devi.
Ropeway to Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi.
Evening aarti at Har ki Pauri.

2 days – Haridwar & Rishikesh

Day 1

Kankhal and temples, Har ki Pauri aarti.

Day 2

Morning safari at Rajaji or drive to Rishikesh.

Trip budget for Haridwar

Item	Cost	Note
Stay (homestay / dharamshala / hotel)	About ₹800–4,500 / night
Food	About ₹300–700 per person / day	Vegetarian
Ropeways	About ₹300–600 per person	Combo tickets available
Night for 2 (approx.)	₹2,500–6,000	Stay + food

Costs are rough estimates for Nov 2026.

Haridwar vs Rishikesh and Kurukshetra

Haridwar or Rishikesh?

Place	From Delhi	Vibe	Best for
Haridwar	About 220 km, 5 h	Pilgrim city, ghats	Aarti, rituals
Rishikesh	About 240 km, 5–6 h	Yoga and adventure	Rafting, cafés
Kurukshetra	About 160 km, 3 h	Mahabharata sites	History

Where to stay in Haridwar

Stay near Har ki Pauri to walk to the aarti, in Kankhal or Bhupatwala for quieter ashram lanes, or towards Rajaji for forest safaris.

Own a homestay, hotel or cottage in Haridwar?

List it free with Stay in Bharat – Uttarakhand offer: 0% commission on your first 5 bookings · only 7 spots left . Be the first stay in Haridwar on our site.

List your stay