Places To Visit In Haridwar

The pilgrimage city of Haridwar, besides being a great place to sop up some spiritual clamor, is an ideal place to experience Indian culture. A land of great mythological and historical import, Haridwar not only evokes a sense of spirituality among the tourists but also transports them to the celestial world. If you are in Haridwar, then don't forget to catch a glimpse of the sages dressed in orange robes wandering around the ghats. Pilgrims flock here in droves to take a holy dip in the Ganges. The temples and the ghats are the USP's of Haridwar and thus visiting them should be the top most agenda on your must-see list. The ideal time to visit the place is from October- March. If you wish to experience the bliss of flickering flames, chaotic chants and floating offerings, then all you have to do is pack your bags and head for this holy city. To find out more about the tourist attractions in Haridwar, scroll down the write-up.

Tourist Attractions In Haridwar

Chandi Devi
Chandi Devi temple, set atop the Neel Parvat (Blue Mountain) hill, is one of the five esteemed pilgrimages in Haridwar. Dedicated to Goddess Chandika Devi, this important 'shaktipeetha', located about 6 km away from Haridwar, draws huge number of devotees all around the year. Built by King Suchat Singh of Kashmir in the year 1929, this temple boasts of an interesting legend. Chandi Devi temple is easily accessible from any part of Haridwar. This temple, which is managed by the 'mahants' remains open to the devotees on all days from 6 am to 8 pm on all days.

Har Ki Pauri
If you want to purge yourself of your sins, then taking a dip in Har Ki Pauri ghat is the best option. This important pilgrimage landmark, situated on the banks of the Ganges, was built by King Vikramaditya in loving memory of his brother Bhrithari. The sight of gleaming sun slowly disappearing in the horizon during the evenings is a real treat to the eyes. What's more, on your visit to this sacred ghat you can watch the priests busy conducting religious rites on the bank of the river. One of the noted attractions of this place is the evening prayers, which a spectacle in itself. The sight of glimmering lamps on river Ganges, the smell of the incense sticks and thousands of devotees conglomerating to offer prayers in the ghats is truly very fascinating.

Mansa Devi Temple
Mansa Devi temple, dedicated to Goddess Mansa, is one of the most frequently visited temples in Northern India. Perched atop Bilwa Parwat, this 'siddhapeetha' houses two idols of Goddess Mansa and serves as a vantage point from the city. Devotees can reach this temple by foot or through ropeway. Thousands of devotees rush to the temple to seek the deity's blessings and offer their prayers. Within the vicinity of temple, you can see a sacred tree with lots of holy threads tied around it by pilgrims. Mansa Devi shrine is kept open from 8 am to 5 pm on all the days.

Maya Devi Temple
Maya Devi temple, another important 'siddhapeetha' in Haridwar, is the third most ancient shrine in Haridwar besides Narayani Shila temple and Bhairav temple. Just outside the temple, you can find vendors selling fresh flowers, fruits and other religious stuffs. In addition, a big board carrying the images of all the goddesses present inside the main shrine is put up at the entrance. Apart from the Hindu goddess Maya Devi, the idols of Kali and Maa Kamakhya can also be spotted here.

Kankhal
Kankhal, a village with rich historical and mythological significance, has a bunch of various pilgrim attractions, religious centers and ashrams and is esteemed as one of the 'Panch Tirths' in Haridwar. Daksha Mahadev temple devoted to Lord Shiva, Sati-Kund, Ramakrishna Mission, and Harihar Ashram is the most notable attractions of this place. Situated 3 km off the Haridwar, the holy place can be easily reached by taxis or cars.

Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar
Neel Dhara Paskhi Vihar is a perfect place for budding ornithologists and nature admirers. Situated around 3.5 km away from the man city of Haridwar, a tourist can see a wide range of bird species here. During winters, the picnic spot even becomes more exotic as the migratory birds including the most popular Siberian Cranes make their home here. People usually come to the Vihar to observe the nature and catch a snapshot of amazing birdlife.