Haridwar means ‘Gateway to God’ is one of the seven godly cities (Sapt Puris) in India that is located on the banks of the Ganga River in the state of Uttarakhand. This ancient city is home to a number of temples, ashrams and numerous other sites for Hindu pilgrims.( Panch Tirths) Five Pilgrimages are one of the leading places to visit in Haridwar. The city is visited by countless devotees and tourists around the year, with an increase exponentially during the Maha Kumbh Mela (held every 12 years) and the Ardh Kumbh Mela (held every 6 years).
1. Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar
The first place to visit in Haridwar is the holy ghat of Har Ki Pauri – which means Lord Shiva’s steps, located on the banks of the Ganga River. You can also see large footprints of lord vishnu. Also known as Gangadwar, this is the place where the Ganga, the holy river, first leaves the mountains and enters the plain.
Har Ki Pauri is considered to be the most blessed ghat in the entire city where the allegorical bird Garuda accidentally dropped “Amrit” and it is believed that if you take a dip here, then all your sins get washed away. The Ganga aarti held at the ghat at noon and morning attracts devotees in large numbers.
Location: Kharkhari, Haridwar
Timings: 24X7 (Ganga Aarti: 5:30 am – 6:30 am and 6 pm – 7 pm)
2. Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar
Mansa Devi Temple at top the Bilwa Parvat on the Shivalik Hills, and to its location it is also known as the “Bilwa Tirth”. This Siddh Peeth is dedicated to ‘Goddess Mansa’, who is believed to be a form of ‘Goddess Shakti’ and is said to have been created from Lord Shiva’s mind.
It is one of the most admired temples in North India as devotees firmly believe that all their wishes are allowed by Goddess Mansa. You can either reach this temple to the hilltop by trekking or by taking away the ropeway.
Location: Bilwa Parvat, Haridwar
Timings: 5 am to 9 pm
3. Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar
Chandi Devi Temple is another “Siddh Peeth” dedicated to “Goddess Chandi” a form of “Goddess Durga” and is visited by large numbers of devotees to get their wishes fulfilled. This temple is situated at top of ‘Shivalik Hills’ Neel Parvat, which was the allegorical battleground where the goddess killed devils.The temple is believed to have been constructed by the Kashmir King ‘Suchan Singh’ while the idol was established in the 8th century by ‘Adi Shankaracharya’.
You can trek to the temple or take a ropeway that offers a bird’s-eye view of Haridwar. Near this temple lies another popular religious site ‘Gaurishankar Mahadev Temple’ that is dedicated to ‘Lord Shiva’.
Location: Neel Parvat, Haridwar
Timings: 7 am to 7 pm.
4. Kankhal in Haridwar
Kankhal is the one Panch Tirths in Haridwar, is a small colony, that is home to the renowned ‘Daksha Mahadev Temple’ and ‘Maa Anandamayi Ashram’. The antecedent is dedicated to ‘Lord Shiva’ and is visited by thousands of devotees, especially during the godly month of Sawan.
Kankhal is also the home to the holy ghat of ‘Kushavarta’ which is one of the Panch Tirths and the famous Patanjali Yogpeeth that is probably the largest yoga centre in the world. Pardeshwar Mahadev Temple in Harihar Ashram, located on Kankhal Road, is famous for the unique Parad Shivling that is made from 151 kg mercury.
Location: South Haridwar
Timings: 24X7
5. Maya Devi Temple in Haridwar
Siddh Peeths is Maya Devi Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Maya, who is the main goddess of Haridwar and in recognition, the city was earlier known as ‘Mayapuri’. As per antecedental literature, the temple has been built on the site where Goddess Sati’s heart and navel fell.
It’s one of the oldest temples in the entire country that was built in the 11th century on ‘Har Ki Pauri Ghat’. Although the temple is visited by thousands of devotees daily to seek the ‘goddess’ blessings and get their wishes fulfilled, this increases immensely during Navratri and Kumbh Mela.
