Located on the right bank of the River Ganges as it flows from the Himalayan foothills, Haridwar is one of the largest cities in Uttarakhand. It has long been regarded as a holy destination for Hindus and attracts a steady stream of pilgrims who come to bathe in the Ganges and wash away their sins.
Things to do in Haridwar
No trip to Haridwar is complete without joining the local devotees by taking an early morning dip in the sacred River Ganges. Also taking place on the steps of Har-Ki-Pauri is the Ganga Aarti, an evening Hindu ceremony that sees priests chanting while manoeuvring giant flames and launching floating candles into the water.
One of Haridwar’s most prominent temples is the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Mandir, which is believed to be the holy abode of Mansa Devi, who is said to fulfil the wishes of sincere devotees. It is perched atop the Sivalik Hills and can be reached on foot or by a ropeway. From the shrine, there are magnificent views across the River Ganges and the plains of Haridwar.
Haridwar is a popular base for visiting Rajaji National Park, an important tiger reserve named after a prominent leader of the Freedom Struggle. Guided safaris are the best way of exploring the park’s dense jungle and pine-covered slopes, which provide habitat for Asian elephants, Indian leopards and Himalayan black bears. More than 300 bird species have also been recorded in Rajaji National Park, including pied kingfishers and great pied hornbills.
Getting around Haridwar
Dehradun Airport is around an hour’s drive from Haridwar and has flights to destinations across India. Regular trains connect from Delhi and Mumbai to the Haridwar railway station and buses travel throughout the city. Auto-rickshaws are readily available for getting around.