‘Hari’ means God and ‘Dwar’ means gate. Haridwar is a “gateway to the abode of gods”. The sacred city lies at the foothills of Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand, the point where India’s largest river reaches the plains. The history of Haridwar is as old as India vedas and Purans. The place was named as Mayapuri, Gangadwar, Mokshadwar and various other names in ancient scriptures and epics. From ancient times Haridwar retains its spiritual charm and a center of learning especially fostering the Gurukul culture.



Haridwar is always crowded with Hindu pilgrims who throng to the city for a holy bath in Ganga. Coming to Haridwar is almost a life’s ambition specially for older people. Har-ki-Pauri, a place where Ganga first meet the plains is most revered place in Haridwar as legend says that Lord Vishnu left his footprint on a rock, and wher prince Bhagirath performed penance, in response Lord Shiva sent forth the Ganga cascading from his knotted locks.

The most impressive thing one first notice about Haridwar is religious clamor. Haridwar is chaotic but a sense of reverence of instantly comes into mind. Haridwar is more religious than nearby Rishikesh, which is more of place for spiritual enlightenment. Haridwar is soaked with the feeling of common people. Every day hundreds of people bathe in the river and rejuvenate themselves, sadhus are omnipresent in the ghats and elsewhere deep in meditation, families performing funeral rites, Ganga aarti perform by bare-chested pandit.

Sights And Activities

Ganga Aarti At Har-ki-Pauri- Har-ki-Pauri is one of the sacred places in Haridwar where according to legends Lord Vishnu dropped some heavenly nectar and left his footprint. The ghats in Har-ki-Pauri feeds with pilgrims who bathe in the river Ganga with a belief that it will wash away all their sins. Every evening on the western bank of Ganga river hundreds of worshipper gather for the Ganga Aarti(river Ganga worship ceremony). It is an ritual that still retain the glory and power in modern times. Ganga Aarti is the best religious ceremony perform in Haridwar everyday. So don’t miss that.