Haridwar, located in Uttarakhand, is one of India’s seven holiest cities. It’s where the sacred Ganga makes its first foray into the Indo-Gangetic plains. Haridwar, a famous Hindu temple town dotted with temples, ashrams, and tiny lanes, is a popular Hindu temple town where millions of devotees flock to take a bath in the holy Ganges. Taking a bath in the sacred Har Ki Pauri is said to cleanse one of all sins. Make sure you visit the holy town on your Uttarakhand tour package.
The famed Ganga Aarti held at the Har ki Pauri Ghat every evening is a highlight of Haridwar. Thousands of people flock to the river Ganga to pray and float diyas. Haridwar is one of four cities that host the Kumbh Mela every twelve years (the others being Ujjain, Nasik, and Allahabad). Every year during Saawan, the Kanwar Mela is held here (rainy season). It also serves as a gateway to Uttarakhand’s Char Dham pilgrimage and as a base for some of the other tourist cities like Rishikesh and Devprayag.
Haridwar is home to the Panch Tirth (five pilgrimages) according to Hindu tradition. Har ki Pauri (Gangadwar), Ghat (Kushwart), Kankhal, Mansa Devi Temple (Bilwa Tirth), and Chandi Devi Temple are among the places to visit (Neel Parvat). Ayurveda, meditation, and yoga are all popular in Haridwar. Alcohol and non-vegetarian food are not permitted because it is a religious center. The city is well-connected by bus and train, although the yatra season, which runs from May to October, is particularly congested.
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1) Ganga Aarti, Haridwar Overview
Ganga Aarti is a religious ceremony held in the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar on the banks of the sacred river Ganga. It is a light and sound ceremony in which priests conduct prayers with bowls of fire and the striking of the temple bells, attracting tourists and worshippers from all over the world. Visitors float “diyas” (little candles) and flowers in the flowing river, which is supposed to be sanctified by the Goddess Ganga, while reciting mantras and reflecting lights off the surface.
2) Har Ki Pauri
Har Ki Pauri is a famous landmark and is frequented by devotees and visitors in huge numbers seeking the blessings of Holy Ganga by giving their prayers. Make sure your Haridwar tour package has visiting this holy palace on its itinerary. It is considered one of the most sacred Ghats in Haridwar and India. Har Ki Pauri, which roughly translates to “Steps to Lord Shiva,” is located in Haridwar, which is regarded as one of the country’s seven holiest destinations. A plunge in the Ganges is said to wash away one’s sins, and it is one of the four locations where the droplets of elixir (‘Amrit’) were mistakenly spilled by the celestial bird Garuda, according to Indian legend. Countless diyas presented by devotees float along the river, giving the water a golden tint.
Har Ki Pauri is the first point where the Ganga, which flows through the Himalayas, meets the lowlands. The nighttime time in Har Ki Pauri is the most cherished by its guests, as it exudes quiet and calm throughout the day. Offerings are made with lighted candles and diyas floating across the river, an enchanting sight to witness, with a variety of temples along the riverbank. Chanting mantras and prayers with sages who are meditating emits spiritual energies and is a once-in-a-lifetime event. The sound of gongs in the background transports you to another realm. In Vedic times, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are said to have visited the spot. Lord Vishnu is supposed to have left enormous footsteps on a stone wall.
3) Chandi Devi Temple
Haridwar’s Chandi Devi Temple is a lovely temple devoted to the Chanda Devi Goddess, nestled on the Shivalik Hills’ Neel Parvat. The Chandi Devi Mandir, also known as Neel Parvat Teerth, is one of Haridwar’s five pilgrimages and is also known as Siddha Peetha, a place where devotees go to pray for their wishes to be granted. The Chandi Devi temple is also a popular destination for trekking visitors due to its location. A ropeway can also be used to reach the temple’s pinnacle, which offers a breathtaking perspective.
Hiking up to the summit of Chandi Devi Temple is the finest way to appreciate its historic beauty. With the lush nature of the surroundings, you will undoubtedly sense the divine’s presence. This shrine receives a large number of visitors throughout the year because it is one of Haridwar’s oldest and most renowned temples. The festivals of Chandi Chaudas, Navratra, and Kumbh Mela, when the temple sees tremendous celebrations and massive participation, are among the most festive times here. The Chandi temple is a must-see during the festival season.
4) Patanjali Yog Peeth
Patanjali Yogpeeth is a yoga and ayurveda medical and research facility in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. It is also known for being one of India’s and the world’s largest yoga institutes. The institute, which is Baba Ramdev’s flagship endeavor, is named after Rishi Patanjali, who is credited with inventing Yoga. It is one of the best sites to visit in Haridwar if you are interested in Ayurveda and Yoga.
5) Mansa Devi Temple
The Mansa Devi Temple is a well-known temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, dedicated to the goddess Mansa Devi, who is thought to be a type of Shakti who emerged from Lord Shiva’s thoughts. Every year, thousands of Hindus visit this temple, which is one of Haridwar’s five ‘Panch Tirths’ or pilgrimages. The temple is located on the top of the Bilwa Parvat in the Shivalik Hills and is known as Bilwa Tirth.
The word Mansa literally means “wish,” and worshippers believe that the goddess Mansa grants all of the wishes of a sincere and dedicated visitor to the temple. As a result, the exquisite temple is known as a ‘Siddh Peetha,’ a phrase that refers to places where aspirations and wishes are fulfilled. The three temples, along with the Maya Devi Temple and the Chandi Devi Temple, make up the three Peethas in Haridwar.
The Mansa Devi Temple is of great religious significance, not only because of the temple itself, but also because it is located in Haridwar, which is thought to be one of the four spots where drops of elixir dropped accidently while being transported by Lord Vishnu’s vehicle, Garuda. This may explain why this magnificent temple has one of the greatest visitor numbers of any temple in north India. The ropeways that go up to it are another feature that contributes to the temple’s grandeur and draws visitors from all across the country.
We have arrived at the end of the list. Traveling to Haridwar – God’s Land will add peace and serenity to your trip and life. Adding Haridwar to your Uttarakhand tour package will be a decision you will never forget.
