Haridwar — The Gateway to Gods 🛕

Your complete local guide to India's most sacred city on the Ganges

Overview Temples & Ghats Food Getting Here Parking Tips Emergency

Why Haridwar?

Haridwar is one of seven sacred cities in Hinduism. Located where the Ganges descends from the Himalayas to the plains, it draws 3–7 crore pilgrims annually. The city never sleeps — Ganga Aarti happens twice daily, every single day, rain or shine.

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Best time

Oct–Mar (cool, less crowd)

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Peak season

Kanwar Yatra, Kumbh, Navratri

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Major temples

108+ in city

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River

Ganga (Ganges)

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Railway

Haridwar Junction (HW)

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Airport

Jolly Grant, Dehradun (35 km)

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Languages

Hindi, Garhwali, English

Temples & Ghats

Must-visit spots in Haridwar

Har Ki Pauri 🛕

Most sacred ghat in Haridwar. Evening Ganga Aarti: 6:30 PM daily. Morning Aarti: 5:30 AM. Arrive 45 mins early for good spot.

0.5 km from marketEvening for aartiMorning for snan

Mansa Devi Temple 📿

Goddess Mansa Devi temple on Bilwa Parvat. Ropeway available: Rs.95 return. Stairs: 45 min climb, free. Ropeway queue: 20–40 mins peak.

8 AM – 5 PM2 km from Har Ki PauriRopeway Rs.95

Chandi Devi Temple 🔱

Ancient Shakti Peeth on Neel Parvat. Ropeway: Rs.145 return. Best combined with Mansa Devi. Take auto from Har Ki Pauri: Rs.150.

8 AM – 5 PM4 km from Har Ki PauriRopeway Rs.145

Maya Devi Temple 🌺

One of 51 Shakti Peethas in India. Most pilgrims miss this hidden gem. Walking distance from city center. No ropeway needed.

6 AM – 8 PM1 km from Har Ki PauriFree entry

Daksha Mahadev Temple

Ancient temple where Daksha Yajna happened. Lord Shiva connection — significant for pilgrims. Located in Kankhal, quieter than main ghats.

Kankhal, 5 kmQuieter visitRecommended

Sapt Rishi Ashram Ghat

Where Ganga splits into 7 streams. Sacred spot for meditation and snan. Less crowded than Har Ki Pauri. Beautiful sunrise location.

Best at sunriseLess crowded5:30–6:30 AM

Kushavarta Ghat

Best ghat for Pind Daan rituals. Preferred by pandits for ancestor puja. Located close to city center. Calmer — easier for elderly.

Pind Daan preferredCity centerCalm ghat

Birla Ghat

Clean, well-maintained ghat. Less tourist crowd. Good for families with children. Evening aarti also held here.

Family-friendlyLess crowdedEvening aarti

Best Sattvic Food in Haridwar

Pure vegetarian always. The city has zero non-veg restaurants by tradition and municipal rule.

Chotiwala Restaurant

Since 1937

Haridwar's most iconic restaurant. Known for thali, kachori, and sweets.

📍 Har Ki Pauri road💰 Rs.80–200 per person⭐ Must try: Aloo sabzi thali

Mohan Ji ki Dukan

Opens 7 AM

Best kachori in Haridwar. Period. Usually sold out by 10 AM.

📍 Near Har Ki Pauri💰 Rs.10–15 per kachori⭐ Must try: Kachori — arrive early

Hoshiyar Puri

200-year recipes

Dal makhani and puri sabzi legendary. Best lunch spot for families.

📍 City center💰 Rs.100–250 per person⭐ Must try: Dal makhani thali

Prakash Lok

AC restaurant

Clean restaurant for families. Full thali with seasonal sabzis. Good for elderly pilgrims.

📍 City center💰 Rs.150–350 per person⭐ Must try: Seasonal thali

Upper Crust

Café

Modern cafe with Ganga view. Coffee, sandwiches, Italian-Indian fusion. For younger pilgrims.

📍 Ganga view💰 Rs.200–500 per person⭐ Must try: Coffee + view

Bhoj Bhavan

Group meals

Best place for group meals. Bulk thali for pilgrim groups. Order advance for 20+.

📍 City center💰 Rs.60–100 per person⭐ Must try: Bulk thali for groups

Getting to Haridwar

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By Train

Haridwar Junction (HW) is well connected. Major trains from Delhi: Shatabdi (4.5 hrs), Jan Shatabdi (5 hrs), Mussoorie Express. Station to Har Ki Pauri: Auto Rs.50–80, E-rickshaw Rs.30–50, Walk 20 mins.

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By Road

From Delhi: 220 km via NH58. Drive time: 5–6 hours normally. During Kanwar Yatra: 8–12 hours. Parking at Choudhary Charan Singh ground, Shyampur, or hire auto from parking to ghats.

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By Air

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (35 km). Daily flights from Delhi (40 mins). Airport to Haridwar: Taxi Rs.700–1000, Bus Rs.50–80 (less frequent). Pre-book taxi recommended.

Parking in Haridwar

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Choudhary Charan Singh Ground

📍 1.5 km from Har Ki Pauri🚗 Capacity: 500+ vehicles💰 Cost: Rs.30–50 for cars🕐 24 hours during festivals

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Shyampur Parking

📍 3 km🚗 Capacity: 1000+ vehicles💰 Cost: Rs.20–30🕐 Good for large vehicles, buses

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Jwalapur Bypass Parking

📍 5 km (take e-rickshaw)🚗 Capacity: Large capacity💰 Cost: Free parking + shuttle🕐 Best during Kanwar to avoid traffic

10 Things Every Pilgrim Should Know

Shoes outside temples are mandatory.

Paid shoe-keeping: Rs.5–10. Free at most major temples.

Morning snan is between 4–7 AM.

Har Ki Pauri most crowded 6–7 AM. Arrive before sunrise for peaceful snan.

Ganga Aarti spots fill up 45 mins early.

Upper platform less crowded than ground. Paid front-row spots available via DharamStay.

Auto rates are fixed by government.

Har Ki Pauri to station: Rs.50–80. Never pay more. Show confidence.

All restaurants are vegetarian.

No non-veg anywhere in Haridwar. Sattvic food available everywhere.

Water at ghats may not be safe to drink.

Carry Gangajal in sealed bottle. Ganga snan is different from drinking.

Photography at Har Ki Pauri is restricted.

During aarti: No photography of priests. Selfies OK at ghats generally.

Beware of fake pandits near ghats.

Always use verified pandits via DharamStay. Quoted prices should match our listings.

Peak season July–August is monsoon.

Carry umbrella and light raincoat. Ghats can be slippery — wear grip footwear.

Mobile network gets congested at Kanwar.

Download offline maps before arriving. WhatsApp may be slow during peak.

Emergency Contacts

🚔 Police

Emergency: 100 (or 112)Haridwar Police Station: 01334-227755Tourist Police Haridwar: 01334-265304

🏥 Medical

Government Hospital Haridwar: 01334-226048AIIMS Rishikesh (major): 0135-2462900Ambulance: 108

🛕 Religious Assistance

Ganga Sabha Haridwar: 01334-227249Temple Trust: 01334-226009

📱 DharamStay Emergency

WhatsApp: +91 62801 08935Available 24 hrs during Kanwar YatraAnd all major festival periods

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