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Places to visit in Haridwar
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Uttarakhand · Local sights
Ideas from Haridwar
Celebrated for over three millennia as one of the seven supreme liberation-granting cities (*Sapta Puri*) of India and one of the four immortal sites of the Maha Kumbh Mela, Haridwar literally signifies "The Gateway to the Gods"…
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Celebrated for over three millennia as one of the seven supreme liberation-granting cities (Sapta Puri) of India and one of the four immortal sites of the Maha Kumbh Mela, Haridwar literally signifies "The Gateway to the Gods" (Hari-ka-Dwar or Hara-ka-Dwar). It marks the profound geographical threshold where the sacred Ganges leaves the rugged Shivalik foothills of the Himalayas and spills outward onto the fertile northern plains. For weekend visitors, Haridwar is a dynamic crossroads of ancient Vedic ritualism, hilltop Shakti shrines, sacred river bathing, and tranquil monastic enclaves.
Within the city's bounds, visitors can immerse themselves in the evening spiritual frenzy of the sunset Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, soar over mountain ravines in aerial cable cars to the wish-fulfilling Siddh Peeths of Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi, trace cosmic Puranic lore at Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple in historic Kankhal, explore the patriotic eight-story galleries of Bharat Mata Mandir and the eternal flame at Shantikunj, or seek interfaith peace and Sufi healing at the 13th-century Piran Kaliyar Sharif shrine along the Upper Ganga Canal.
Beyond the city limits, smooth national highways and picturesque forest roads offer effortless access into the wider Garhwal Himalayas. Travelers can embark on thrilling 4x4 open-top gypsy wildlife safaris through the elephant and tiger habitats of Rajaji National Park (~12 km), explore the yoga ashrams, suspension bridges, and white-water river rapids of Rishikesh (~25 km), ascend to the mountain heights of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple perched at 1,330 meters (~48 km), or take a weekend escape to the colonial valley city of Dehradun (~54 km) and the pine-clad ridges of Mussoorie (~88 km).
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Haridwar Sacred Triangle Circuit: Check the current visiting hours and permitted access with the site operator…Explore detailsClose details
- Haridwar Sacred Triangle Circuit: Check the current visiting hours and permitted access with the site operator before departure; ceremonies, closures and visitor sessions can affect access.
- Puranic Heritage & Sufi Peace Day: Spend the morning exploring the ancient sacrificial fire pit and shrines at Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple and the serene Sri Anandamayi Ma Ashram in Kankhal, before driving 25 minutes along the scenic canal road to Piran Kaliyar Sharif Dargah to experience evening Sufi qawwali and walk along the Solani Aqueduct.
- Himalayan Foothill Wildlife & Yoga Day:
- Mountain Shiva Pilgrimage: Take the scenic Barrage road up to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple at 1,330 m elevation for morning darshan and mountain spring bathing, descending into Rishikesh for lunch at an organic riverside cafe, before returning to Haridwar along NH 334.
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Questions about Haridwar
What is the most efficient way to visit both Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi?
The most seamless way is to purchase the "Udan Khatola" combined ropeway ticket available at either lower cable car station. The combo ticket includes round-trip rides on both the Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi cable cars, plus free shuttle bus transfers connecting the two base stations across the Ganges River, saving visitors from negotiating multiple auto-rickshaws and separate ticket lines.
Can Rishikesh and Rajaji National Park be visited together from Haridwar?
Yes. Thanks to the scenic Chilla - Rishikesh Barrage road along the eastern bank of the Ganges, travelers can depart Haridwar at 5:30 AM, complete the 3-hour morning wildlife safari at Chilla Gate (6:00 AM to 9:00 AM), continue 20 km north along the barrage directly into Rishikesh / Swarg Ashram by 10:00 AM, spend the afternoon visiting ashrams and riverside cafes, and return to Haridwar along NH 334 by evening.
When is the Har Ki Pauri Ganga Aarti held?
The Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri takes place daily precisely at sunset. In winter (October to March), it begins between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM; in summer (April to September), it begins between 6:45 PM and 7:15 PM. Devotees should arrive at Malviya Dweep (opposite the clock tower) at least 45 to 60 minutes in advance to secure seated space, as crowds routinely exceed ten thousand people.
Is Rajaji National Park open all year round?
No. The safari zones of Rajaji Tiger Reserve (including the popular Chilla and Motichur ranges) are strictly open from November 15 to June 15. The park is completely closed to tourists from June 16 to November 14 every year due to torrential monsoon rains that flood river crossings (raos) and for seasonal wildlife breeding.
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Timings, entry & getting there · 6 places
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Haridwar Ganga Ghats and Heritage
Entry & permissions
- Timings:
- Har Ki Pauri Ghats: Daylight visits recommended; confirm any after-dark access.
- Evening Ganga Aarti: Held daily at sunset (typically 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM in winter; 6:45 PM - 7:30 PM in summer).
- Mansa Devi & Chandi Devi Ropeways: Operates daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Entry fees:
- Har Ki Pauri & Temples: Completely free public entry for all visitors.
- Ropeway Tickets (Udan Khatola): Approximately ₹150 to ₹250 per passenger for round-trip rides; combined combo passes for both Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi ropeways are available for approx. ₹400 - ₹500.
Getting there
- Location: Situated on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar city, approximately 54 km south of the Dehradun Clock Tower.
- Road approach from Dehradun: Travel south along the smooth four-lane National Highway 7 / 334 through Doiwala, Raiwala, and the Motichur forest corridor; driving time is roughly 1.25 to 1.5 hours by car or private taxi.
- Rail connectivity: Haridwar Junction (HW) is a major mainline railway terminal with dozens of daily express trains connecting directly to Dehradun, Delhi, and Lucknow.
- Parking: Due to pedestrian crowd controls, private cars cannot drive directly onto Har Ki Pauri; large multi-level and open municipal parking lots are located at Pant Dweep, Mayapur, and near Haridwar Railway Station (~1 km walk or brief e-rickshaw ride).
Fees, visiting hours and entry rules may change. Confirm the latest details with the official operator or local authority before travelling.
Mansa Devi Temple and Ropeway
Entry & permissions
- Operating hours: Temple is open daily from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM (afternoon closure for bhog: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM).
- Ropeway timings: Operates daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (extended during peak festivals).
- Entry fees: Entry to the temple is completely free.
- Ropeway ticket charges (Udan Khatola): Approximately ₹150 for a round-trip ticket to Mansa Devi. Combined combo tickets covering both Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi ropeways (including transfer bus) cost approximately ₹400 to ₹450 per person.
- Permissions: Open to all visitors; leather items, shoes, and photography are prohibited inside the inner garbhagriha (sanctum).
Getting there
- Visitor entrance: Lower Ropeway Station on Upper Road / Railway Road near Har Ki Pauri, approximately 1.5 km northwest of Haridwar Junction Railway Station and 1 km from Har Ki Pauri.
- Local transport: Easily accessible by cycle rickshaw, electric e-rickshaw, or on foot from Har Ki Pauri and Upper Road hotels.
- Footpath entrance: Pilgrims walking up the hill can take the paved pedestrian stairs starting near Upper Road opposite Brahmakund.
- Parking: Dedicated paid municipal parking lots are available at Pant Dweep and Mayapur (~1 km from the lower station); vehicles cannot drive up Bilwa Parvat.
Fees, visiting hours and entry rules may change. Confirm the latest details with the official operator or local authority before travelling.
Chandi Devi Temple and Ropeway
Entry & permissions
- Operating hours: Temple is open daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
- Ropeway timings: Operates daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (adjusted seasonally according to daylight).
- Entry fees: Entry to the temple is completely free.
- Ropeway ticket charges (Udan Khatola): Approximately ₹170 to ₹190 for a return ticket to Chandi Devi; combined combo tickets covering both Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi (with connecting transfer bus) cost approx. ₹400 to ₹450 per person.
- Permissions: Free entry for all visitors; respectful traditional clothing is expected; mobile phones and photography are strictly prohibited inside the inner sanctum.
Getting there
- Visitor entrance: Lower Ropeway Station on the Haridwar - Nazibabad Highway (NH 34), on the eastern bank of the Ganges, approximately 4 km southeast of Har Ki Pauri.
- Road approach: Cross the Ganges from Haridwar via the New Chandighat Bridge or Haridwar Bypass to reach the lower cable car terminal (approx. 10 to 15 minutes by car or e-rickshaw).
- Public transit: Electric e-rickshaws, shared autos, and Udan Khatola shuttle buses operate frequently between Haridwar Junction, Har Ki Pauri, and the Chandi Devi ropeway base.
- Parking: A large, organized paved parking ground is situated directly adjacent to the lower ropeway ticket complex and food court.
Fees, visiting hours and entry rules may change. Confirm the latest details with the official operator or local authority before travelling.
Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple Kankhal
Entry & permissions
- Operating hours: Open daily from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM (temple doors close briefly for afternoon bhog between 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM).
- Entry fees: Completely free admission for all visitors.
- Permissions: Open freely to domestic and foreign visitors; modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected; footwear must be deposited at the outer shoe stands.
- Photography: Permitted in the open courtyards and grounds; prohibited inside the innermost garbhagriha.
Getting there
- Visitor entrance: Main gateway on Daksheshwar Temple Road, Kankhal, Haridwar, approximately 4 km south of Har Ki Pauri and 3 km south of Haridwar Junction railway station.
- Local transport: Highly accessible by battery e-rickshaw, auto-rickshaw, or cycle rickshaw from Har Ki Pauri, Railway Station, and Upper Road (approx. 10 to 15 minutes ride).
- Road connection: Drive south along the Kankhal Main Road or Canal Road from central Haridwar.
- Parking: Dedicated open municipal and trust parking ground situated directly opposite the temple entrance gates.
Fees, visiting hours and entry rules may change. Confirm the latest details with the official operator or local authority before travelling.
Bharat Mata Mandir and Shantikunj
Entry & permissions
- Operating hours:
- Bharat Mata Mandir: Open daily from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Shantikunj Campus: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (daily Yajnashala havan: 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM).
- Entry fees: Admission to both complexes is completely free. A nominal lift maintenance fee of ₹10 is charged per person for the passenger elevator at Bharat Mata Mandir.
- Ashram meals: Shantikunj serves free pure satvik meals (ashram prasad) to all daily visitors during designated dining hours (11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM).
- Permissions: Open to all visitors without distinction of nationality, creed, or caste; modest clothing is expected; photography is permitted in public courtyards but prohibited inside the Akhand Deepak meditation room.
Getting there
- Visitor entrance: Bharat Mata Mandir entrance gate is located directly off the Haridwar - Rishikesh Highway (NH 334) in Motichur / Bhupatwala; Shantikunj main gate is situated 1.5 km further north along the same highway.
- Local transport: Electric e-rickshaws, shared auto-rickshaws (Vikrams), and city buses operate continuously along the NH 334 highway corridor connecting Har Ki Pauri with Motichur and Shantikunj (10 to 15 minutes ride).
- Rail access: Motichur Railway Station (MOTC) is located within 1 km; main trains arrive at Haridwar Junction (HW, ~6 km south).
- Parking: Dedicated paved visitor parking lots are available inside the Bharat Mata Mandir complex and at the Shantikunj reception gate.
Fees, visiting hours and entry rules may change. Confirm the latest details with the official operator or local authority before travelling.
Piran Kaliyar Sharif Dargah
Entry & permissions
- Operating hours: Check the current visiting hours and permitted access with the site operator before departure; ceremonies, closures and visitor sessions can affect access.
- Entry fees: Completely free admission for all visitors; donations are entirely voluntary.
- Etiquette & dress code: All visitors must cover their heads (scarves, dupattas, handkerchiefs, or prayer caps are required and sold locally for ₹10 - ₹20); footwear must be removed at the outer deposit booths; photography is prohibited inside the inner mazar sanctum.
- Permissions: Open to all people regardless of religion, caste, or nationality.
Getting there
- Visitor entrance: Main gateway on Dargah Road, Kaliyar village, approximately 22 km southwest of Har Ki Pauri and 7 km northeast of Roorkee city center.
- Road connection: Drive south from Haridwar along the picturesque Upper Ganga Canal Road (approx. 35 to 45 minutes drive) or take NH 334 to Roorkee and branch north on the Kaliyar link road.
- Public transport: Frequent auto-rickshaws, shared tempos, and state buses connect Haridwar Junction and Roorkee Railway Station (RK) directly to the Piran Kaliyar bus stand.
- Parking: Large, organized municipal parking grounds are located within a short 200-meter walk of the shrine entrance.
Fees, visiting hours and entry rules may change. Confirm the latest details with the official operator or local authority before travelling.
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