Haridwar is one of Hinduism's seven holiest cities and the point where the Ganga leaves the Himalayas and enters the plains — its name literally means "Gateway to God." The city's heart is Har Ki Pauri, the ghat where the evening Ganga Aarti draws thousands of pilgrims and travellers daily, and where a holy dip is believed to wash away sins. Haridwar is also the traditional starting point of the Char Dham Yatra to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, and hosts the Kumbh Mela — the world's largest religious gathering — once every twelve years.
The must-see places that define Haridwar - tap any to explore.
Haridwar is one of Hinduism's seven holiest cities and the point where the Ganga leaves the Himalayas and enters the plains — its name literally means "Gateway to God." The city's heart is Har Ki Pauri, the ghat where the evening Ganga Aarti draws thousands of pilgrims and travellers daily, and where a holy dip is believed to wash away sins. Haridwar is also the traditional starting point of the Char Dham Yatra to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, and hosts the Kumbh Mela — the world's largest religious gathering — once every twelve years.
- The Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, one of only two places in India (alongside Varanasi) where this ritual reaches this scale
- Ancient temples — Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi, both reachable by ropeway, and Bharat Mata Mandir
- The starting point for the Char Dham Yatra and a natural first stop before heading into the Garhwal Himalayas
- A working pilgrimage city rather than a manufactured tourist stop — bazaars, ashrams, and ghats that are still primarily used by devotees
- Easy pairing with Rishikesh, roughly 20–25 km away
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