Haridwar Tourism And Travel Guide

Haridwar continues to captivate the minds and hearts of those who visit it. Called 'the abode of Lord Vishnu', Haridwar, situated in Uttarakhand, is a destination of myths and great spiritual power. It is respected as one of the seven sacred towns in India, and hosts masses of local and international visitors flocking to it year in and year out to offer prayers or just to seek redemption for their sins by bathing in Ganga River. Har Ki Pauri is the star attraction and makes for a top-notch tourism spot in Haridwar. Ganga Aarti performed as the sun goes down is a magical experience, where the entire city comes to a halt to witness this dazzling exhibition. The diverse temples, Ayurveda centres and meditation spots make it a recurrent favourite spot for tourists. Read our travel guide to fall in love with Haridwar and plan your trip.

By Air:

With no airport close by, Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport is your closest bet, located around 38 km away from Haridwar. There are several different buses, taxis and cars to take visitors from the airport to the city centre.

By Road:

It is relatively easy to reach Haridwar by road. Delhi is about 231.5 km away from Haridwar and the NH 58 and NH 74 are interconnected with all the major cities in and around Haridwar. Taxis, buses and private cars can be used to get to Haridwar.

By Rail:

The closest railway station is Haridwar Railway Station. It is easily connected to the other prominent cities and tourist capitals in India. Many trains ply to Haridwar from Delhi’s H. Nizamuddin Railway Station, and take an average of 5-6 hours. This is the cheapest and most affordable way to get to Haridwar, although it can be hard to get a ticket at times during religious months.

The ideal time to visit Haridwar would be from October to February. However, tourists throng here periodically through majority of the year.

Winter (October – February):

The winter season tends to set in by November. It is one of the preferred times for pilgrims to visit as there is a nice chill in the air, with an average temperature range of 17 to 6°C.

Summer (March - June):

The summer months are also very pleasant for tourists as the weather stays balanced. The clear blue skies and warm climate make outdoor excursions highly enjoyable. The evenings tend to cool down due to Haridwar’s proximity to the Ganga river. Temperature averages between 18 to 40°C.

Monsoon (July – September):

The arrival of the monsoon switches up the weather pattern, with dark clouds and thunder showers replacing the clear blue skies. A temperature averaging 23 to 30°C creates a serene climatic setting and revitalises the entire city of Haridwar. However, caution is advised before travelling due to excess rainfall occurring in Haridwar at times.

Take a dip in holy water:

Har Ki Pauri is a legendary Ghat on the banks of tGanga in Haridwar. This respected abode is the star of Haridwar. It is highly recommended to take a morning dip on the banks of Ganges at sunrise.

Ganga Aarti:

Another must-do when in Haridwar is the Ganga Aarti ceremony of light and sound that takes places after sunset on the Har Ki Pauri Ghat. The entire river is lit up with diyas as the pundits orchestrate an elaborate prayer ceremony.

Temple hopping:

Being one of the prime attractions of Haridwar, visitors are recommended to take the time out to visit the temples on offer. The Mansa Devi, Maya Devi and Chandi Devi temple are just some of the famous temples in the town. The energy in these century-old structures is something visitors are deeply attracted to.

Rajaji National Park:

Rajaji National Park is an Indian national park and tiger reserve close to the feet of the Himalayas. The reserve is famous for it's rich wildlife consisting of elephants, tigers, leopards and ghorals. The surrounding area incorporates the Shivalik mountain ranges and the rich sal and riverine forests. 

In Haridwar, one can feast on the famous street food in the region. Haridwar's bylanes are speckled with some historic foodie spots. Begin your day with warm milk kulhar, a platter of kachoris at Kashyap Kachori Bhandar, crispy Samosas and melt-in-the-mouth Chole Bhature from Bhagwati Chole Bhandar to round off the day. Haridwar is a legit culinary expedition.

Visitors would be surprised to know markets in Haridwar offer everything from trinkets, bracelets and traditional wear to all the latest apparel and gear that the western world has to offer. For souvenirs and lip smacking sweets, check out Jwalapur Market. Moti Bazar is the go-to spot for diyas and sandalwood products etc. Bara Bazar sells Ayurvedic and organic food items.