Gateway to Land of Gods Haridwar

An Insight into Haridwar Tourism

The tales from the ancient time greatly influence the contemporary era, and thus, Haridwar is often seen imbibing the spiritual feel. Believed to be amongst the four places where drops of Amrit (Elixir) fell, Haridwar is relied upon for cleansing of sins and attaining salvation. Thus, it is an important Hindu pilgrimage destination in Uttarakhand. It is also due to this fact that Haridwar hosts the most significant human gathering in the world in the form of Kumbh Mela. Since time immemorial, Haridwar has been considered one of India's critical religious tourism destinations; it has also been the Yoga and Ayurveda centre for a decent period of time. The city has earned itself a sensible market for business and some eminent learning institutes like Gurukul. However, it is not all about concrete in Haridwar, the city is visually beautiful and near the famous Rajaji National Park and Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar, making it a perfect place for wildlife tours well.

The city prepares the base for the state's prominent Chhota Char Dham Yatra, which is held between late April and October and covers places like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. True to its name, it forms the Gateway to God as the deceased's ashes are brought to the city for emersion in the holy River Ganga. In other words, Haridwar can be called the place where religion defies the reality of everything else, and the life of the people only revolves around the sacred Ghats Filled with devotees, the holy water of Ganges that is believed to cleanse sin; the blessed temples, and the renowned Ganga Aarti that cleanses the atmosphere as soon as.

Top Tourist Attractions in Haridwar

Haridwar is spotted with temples and several travel destinations. The holy city of Haridwar is also the perfect place to recognize one's inner self. A number of yoga and Ayurveda ashrams allow the opportunity to unwind and find a new meaning in life. On the other hand, one can make a sightseeing tour to holy destinations.

Bharat Mata Mandir

Founded by the Swami Satyamitranand Giri, Bharat Mata Temple is a special temple sacred to Mother India and her spiritual and cultural glory. Smt. Indira Gandhi, a politician who conformed as prime minister of India, formally inaugurated the temple on 15 May 1983. Encountered on the bank of Ganga, the temple welcomes people of every religion and society. The emblem of the temple, a woman dressed in a saffron-coloured sari and holding the flag in one of her hands, is readily noticeable. Key elements of the temple are homeopathic and allopathic dispensaries, diagnostic camps, physiotherapy centres, gaushala ( a cow shed with ultra-modern facilities), and Ved Vidyalaya (school for learning Vedas) and Old age home (Bharat Sadie). Also, there is an Atithi Sewa (Samanvaya Kutir), a lovely complex consisting of Satsang Bhavan, a well-stocked library, and residential lodging. At the height of 180 feet, Bharat Mata Temple is spread over seven floors, each level dedicated to different Gods and mythological heroes.

Chandi Devi Temple

Straddled on the top of the Neel Parvat, Chandi Devi Temple is an important pilgrimage centre of Haridwar. It is believed that Saint Adi Shankaracharya established the temple's principal deity in the 8th century. Chandi Devi Temple is four km away from Haridwar and can be reached by traveling uphill or through a cable car. The current design of the temple was constructed in 1929 by Suchan Singh, who was then the reigning King of Kashmir. Chandi Devi Temple is one of the Siddhpeeth, forward with Maya Devi and Mansa Devi. Commonly known as Neel Parvat Teerth, the temple is also one of the Panch Tirth, five pilgrimage sites in Haridwar. According to legends, the temple is located at the same place where Chandi, the goddess born from the energies of the male divinities, killed Chand- Mund and then Shumbha and Nishumbha.

After the holy darshan of the deity, tourists can further visit the dense forest on the other side of the Neel Parvat. Close to the main temple is another sanctum sacred to Anjana, mother of Lord Hanuman. Tourists planning to trek on Neel Parvat can visit the Neeleshwar Temple in the Neel Parvat. Chandi Devi Temple bustles with enthusiasts during the festival of Chandi Chaudas, Navratri, and the Kumbha Mela in Haridwar to seek the blessings of divinity. Leather accessories, alcohol and non-vegetarian food, are precisely prohibited in the temple.

Har Ki Pauri

Har Ki Pauri is one of the most sacred Ghats in Haridwar and the only place where all the spiritual activities occur. The Ghat is considered to have been built by King Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Brithari in the 1st century BC. The exact meaning of the term 'Har Ki Pauri'- "Har" means "Lord Shiva", Ki" means "of", and "Pauri" means "steps". Priest of the nearby temples says that during the Vedic times, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are believed to have seen Brahmakund in Har Ki Pauri. The Ghat got its name from the foot imprint of the Lord Vishnu; the same imprints are present on one of the stones of the Ghat. In geographical terms, Haridwar is where the river Ganges descends from the Gangotri glacier to the Indo-Gangetic plains of North India. Har Ki Pauri stays busy during the Ardh Kumbh Mela, Vaisakhi festival, Kanwar Yatra, and Magh Mela. Also, it is one of the four great sites in India that hosts the Kumbh Mela, during which millions bathe in the Ganga River.

Mansa Devi Temple

Guardians of beliefs of many devotees, Mansa Devi temple, blesses the lives of those who visit there. Located atop the Bilwa Parvat, Mansa Devi Temple is known for an existing home to Manasa, a form of Shakti believed to emerge from the mind of Lord Shiva. The temple is also one of the three Siddh Peetha, the additional two being Chandi Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple. The literal meaning of the term Mansa' is 'wish', which is one of the places of worship where desires are fulfilled. Devotees can make a wish by tying a thread to branches nearby the temple, and once their wishes get fulfilled, they revisit the temple to untie the thread from the tree. The temple features two main idols of Goddess Mansa, one with three mouths and five arms, while the other has eight.

To reach the main temple, one can walk uphill or leap in a cable car called "Mansa Devi Udankhatola" or bus. The main attraction of the Mansa Devi Temple is a spectacular view of the river Ganga from the cable car.

Shantikunj Ashram

There are certain places in Haridwar that inspire admiration and bring tourists closer to the ancient Indian tradition; Shantikunj Ashram is one such place that perfectly fits in this category. On a spiritual tour to Haridwar, don't forget to see Shantikunj Ashram, a special academy for religious and social awakening. Situated on the bank of river Ganga, Shantikunj is the All World Gayatri Parivar headquarters in India. Set amidst the leafy green gardens, Shanti Kunj Ashram provides lodging, meals, and spiritual activities. The ashram was established under the guidance of Rishi Satta of Himalaya to revive and develop old Rishi traditions.

Street food in Haridwar

Street food rather than run-of-the-mill restaurants in Haridwar is an essential experience in this holy city. Decades-old eateries and dessert shops pepper this city's bustling market lanes. Foodies can have a gala time with crisp kachoris from Kashyap Kachori Bhandar, some delicious gulab jamuns from Mathura Walo ki Pracheen Dukan, and a plate of piping, hot Chole Bhature from Bhagwati Chole Bhandar and more. Enjoy Spicy puri aloo, hot frothy kulhar milk, crispy kachoris, and sweet samosas - Haridwar's lanes are dotted with some of the oldest food joints you would have ever walked into. Start your morning with a steaming milk Kuchar from Pandit Sevaram Sharma Doodh Wale, a plate of kachoris at Kashyap Kachori Bhandar and dumpling-like sweet samosas from the tiny-looking Mathura Walo Ki Pracheen Dukan. Add a plate of crisp chole bhature from Bhagwati Chole Bhandar, and you will be set on a gastronomic journey!