HARIDWAR – A PILGRIMAGE

Just the mere mention of Haridwar conjures up images of the holy river Ganga. Haridwar a pilgrimage is an immensely holy city and also one of the Hindu religious centers. The people residing in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Uttarakhand mostly visit Haridwar. The holy city is also the place where Kumbh Mela takes place every 6 years and 12 years, and these are the Ardh Kumbh Mela and Maha Kumbh Mela.

Must See Tourist Attractions in Haridwar

• Lord Shiva Statue
• River Ganga
• Har Ki Pauri
• Chandi Devi Temple
• Bharat Mata Temple
• Sapt Rishi Ashram
• Patanjali Yogpeeth
• Maya Devi Temple
• Mansa Devi Temple
• Kankhal
• Shantikunj
• Rajaji National Park
• Daksh Mahadev Temple
• Pawan Dham
• Vaishno Devi Temple

1. Lord Shiva Statue

One of the most striking things about Haridwar is that it is full of temples. The main attraction here is the statue of Lord Shiva standing in the river Ganges. There are many temples of Lord Shiva and people also call the city Shiv Nagri. When you visit Haridwar, you can experience a blend of culture and nature.

2. River Ganga

River Ganga is called ‘Ganga Maiya’ and is said that the river makes you pious and one can come and wash their sins here. If someone dies and their relatives release their ashes in the Ganga, they are said to be free from the cycle of birth and death and attain moksha or total liberation. Haridwar pilgrimage is the hub of Sanskrit language, yoga, cultural, and spiritual activities.

3. Har Ki Pauri

Har ki Pauri ghat is one of the major tourist places located in Haridwar a pilgrimage. A king named Vikramaditya built the place in memory of his brother Bharthari. The most visited ghat here is Brahma Kund, and pilgrims visit this when they visit Haridwar. The amazing and fascinating view of morning and evening aarti of the Ganga River attracts one to witness the same once in a lifetime. Evening is the best time when devotees float their Diyas in the river and the view is such that words can hardly describe its beauty. 

4. Chandi Devi Temple

King Suchat Singh built the Chandi Devi Temple on the mountain slope called Neel Parvat. Tourists can do a small trek of 3 kilometres to reach the temple. They can also reach the temple by a cable car, called Chandi Devi Udankhatola. According to Hindu mythology, the temple authorities built the temple in the same place where goddess Chandi killed the devil named Chanda Munda. Adi Shankaracharya installed the main idol of Chandi Devi in the temple in the 8th century.

5. Bharat Mata Temple

Swami Satyamitranand Giri founded the Bharat Mata temple which is on the bank of the river Ganga. The eight-storey structure is dedicated to Bharat Mata or Mother Earth. Each floor is dedicated to different gods and goddesses. The first floor has the statue of Bharat Mata whereas on the second floor, some renowned heroes of India are portrayed. The temple authorities have shown the achievements of Radha, Mira, Savitri, Draupadi, Ahilya, Anusuya, Maitri, and Gargi on the third floor. They have shown various religions on the fourth floor religions like Jainism, Sikhism Buddhism, etc.

6. Sapt Rishi Ashram

You can easily spot Sapt Rishi Ashram when you visit Haridwar. The ashram is the main Sanskrit learning point where every tourist should go and have a visit once. The name is Sapt Rishi because, in mythological times, seven sages meditated here. They are Kashyap, Vashisht, Gautam, Jamadagni, Vishwamitra, Bhardwaj and Atri. Pandavas also crossed this place, when they were going to the Himalayas.

7. Patanjali Yogpeeth

Patanjali Yogpeeth is one of the very famous Ayurvedic institutes and it is in Haridwar a pilgrimage city. It is one of the most popular and largest yoga schools in the nation run by the Ramdev Baba. The place is located on the Delhi Haridwar highway. It is must must-visit place if one wants to experience nature and yoga power.

8. Maya Devi Temple

This temple is considered to be the oldest temple in Haridwar, and it is the Maya Devi Temple. The kings built this temple in the 11th century. Maya Devi is the mother goddess of Haridwar. The original name of Haridwar was Mayapuri. Maya Puri Temple is one of the three Siddha Peeth of Haridwar. 

9. Mansa Devi Temple

This temple is very famous in Haridwar and is called Mansa Devi Temple. The temple is on a hill called Bilwa Parvat and is one of the Siddha Peeth temples in Haridwar. You can go on a ropeway called Mansa Devi Udankhatola and reach the temple. According to legends, Mansa Devi emerged from the mind of Lord Shiva.

10. Kankhal

The place known as Kankhal is one of the five holy places in Haridwar. Kankhal is famous for the Daksheshwara Mahadev Temple. You will also find Ma Anandmayi Ashram in Kankhal. This place is very holy because it was even described in the Puranas and Mahabharata. There are other ashrams in Kankhal such as Abheda Ganga Mayya Asram and Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama.

11. Shantikunj

Haridwar has several religious places and one of them is Shantikunj. This is a religious place and one of the main tourist attractions in Haridwar. Shantikunj is the headquarters of Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust. Shriram Sharma and Bhagwati Devi Sharma established Shantikunj in 1971. Shantikunj propagates religious values, spiritual teachings, and moral values. You can stay here and take part in devotional songs, aartis, bhajans, and religious work.

12. Rajaji National Park

In Haridwar a pilgrimage destination, you will find such a beautiful national park called Rajaji National Park. This national park is famous for its tigers, and other wild creatures. You can spot gorals, tahr, foxes, jackals, and other forms of wildlife here. You can go on Jeep and Gypsy safari inside the national park and spot birds, reptiles, and mammals here.

13. Daksh Mahadev Temple

The temple in Haridwar a pilgrimage site is called Daksh Mahadev Temple. People of Haridwar also call it Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple. The main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva, and the name of the temple is taken from Daksh Prajapati, who was one of the sons of Lord Brahma. This temple is very famous as Daksh Prajapati performed a huge yagna at this place.

14. Pawan Dham

The temple known as Pawan Dham is one of the famous tourist attractions in Haridwar. Pawan Dham is famous for its architecture and glasswork. The idols here are decorated with precious stones. You will find beautiful mirrorwork also in Pawan Dham. This is the reason why tourists visit Pawan Dham when they visit Haridwar. People also call this temple a Glass Temple.

15. Vaishno Devi Temple

If you have visited Vaishno Devi in Jammu Kashmir, you will love the Vaishno Devi Temple in Haridwar. The temple here is the replica of Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu. You will have to crawl through tunnels and caves, which is one amazing thing about this temple. There are idols of Lakshmi, Kali, and Saraswati in the inner chambers of the temple.