Is there an entry fee or booking required for the Ganga Aarti at Haridwar?

No, there is no entry fee — the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is free and open to all devotees and visitors. Seating is first-come-first-served on the broad stone steps (ghats) around the main aarti platform. For the evening aarti, arrive at least 45-60 minutes early during normal days and 1.5-2 hours early during festival periods (Kartik Purnima, Kumbh Mela, Ganga Dussehra, Shivratri) to secure a good viewing spot. Some travel agencies offer “premium seating” packages at private platforms, but these are not officially sanctioned — the best views are from the main ghat directly facing the aarti priests. We can arrange visit coordination and introduce you to the pandits before the aarti.