What is Haridwar famous for?

The city of Haridwar, amid the foothills of the Himalayas, is one of Hinduism’s holiest places, bustling with believers and filled with the lovely scent of incense sticks and the ringing of temple bells.

Thousands of people bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River, which rises from the Himalayas here. Devotees, sadhus (saffron-clad men), and saints flock to the river’s ghats (stepped banks) to bathe in its sacred waters and wash away their sins, according to Hindu beliefs.

The busiest and most colourful ghat, Har ki Pauri, attracts a significant number of bathers throughout the year, but especially during festivals.

The ghat witnesses the joyful Ganga aarti (fire ceremony) every morning and evening, which attracts both devotees and tourists.

The evening ritual is more popular, and it’s a mesmerising sight to witness the river being revered with loud and rhythmic chants and tall lamps, their lights shining brightly on the darkening waters.

As you gaze at the stunning sight of hundreds of little diyas (earthen lamps) floating on the river, soak up the city’s spiritual zeal.

Haridwar – The Starting Point of Chardham Yatra

Hindus regard Haridwar to be one of the seven sacred towns in India. It is also one of the four locations for the holy Kumbh Mela, which takes place every 12 years. A trip to the city during this time is highly recommended.

Aside from the respected temples, numerous ashrams offer meditation and yoga sessions.

Haridwar is also the starting point for the Char Dham pilgrims of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

According to Hindu legend, Haridwar is one of the four locations where Amrita, the elixir of immortality, spilt over from the pitcher or Kumbha while being carried away by Garuda, the heavenly bird and Lord Vishnu’s vehicle.

As a result, it is one of the four locations where the Kumbh Mela, which is claimed to be the world’s greatest gathering of people, takes place once every 12 years. Haridwar is also the point at which the Ganga makes its first foray into the Indo-Gangetic plains.

Haridwar has a reverent atmosphere due to the large crowds gathered at Har-ki-Pauri Ghat.

Haridwar is significantly more important in India’s religious hierarchy than Rishikesh, an hour north, and the river comes alive with shimmering fires every evening as floating gifts are discharged into the Ganges.

It’s particularly crowded during the yatra (pilgrimage) season, which runs from May to October and peaks in July when hundreds of thousands of Shiva worshippers known as Kanwarias go to the city.