Haridwar is one of India's seven holiest cities, and the city's name is Gateway to God. The city is situated along the holy River Ganga and owns countless temples, shrines, and ashrams. Haridwar is the starting point of the Chardham Yatra, and thousands of devotes around the globe come to attend the yatra.
Not only for devotees, the city is equally popular with tourists. Thousands of travelers come here to experience the fascinating blend of cultures. So, if you plan to visit this most visited city in India, remember to check out the most popular tourist destination in Haridwar mentioned here.
6 Best Places to Visit in Haridwar
If you are in Haridwar, make sure you do not miss any of the best places to visit in Haridwar mentioned here:
Har Ki Pauri
It is one of the first places you must visit in the city. Har Ki Pauri means the steps of Lord Shiva, and this place is located on the banks of the River Ganga. It is considered that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva have visited this place and you can also see the footprints of Lord Vishnu on the wall. Gangadwar is another name for the first place as the rice leaves the mountains here before entering the plain. It is one of the most sacred ghats of the city, and Ganga aarti is held at dawn and dusk here. Many devotees attend this aarti every day. The devotees also float the diyas on the water's surface, which adds a lot to the beauty of this place.
- Location: Harkipodi, near Krishna Dham, Kharkhari
- Timings: Anytime; 5:30 am to 6:30 am and 6 pm to 7 pm is the best time
Mansa Devi Temple
The temple in North India has been dedicated to Goddess Mansa. It is a precious religious place for the devotees as they believe Goddess Mansa grants all their wishes. Therefore, the devotees tie a thread on the tree branches, which is present in the temple. Mansa Devi is considered an example of power and is considered to have emerged from the Lord shive’s mind. Thousands of visitors, especially Hindus, come here as it is one of the five pilgrimage places of Haridwar. You can take the ropeway or reach there by trekking. It is also known as Bilwa Tirth. Also, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city from the temple. The best time to visit this place is from November to March.
- Location: Bilwa Parvat, Haridwar
- Timings: 5 am to 9 am
Shanti Kunj
You can visit the Shanti Kunj to seek peace, spirituality, and wellness. You may also know it as the All-World Gayatri Power. Thousands of devotees visit the place. The ashram is believed to guide the visitors towards the right path and offer real happiness. While visiting Shanti Kunj, you can take part in the training camps and collect some beautiful memories of spirituality. The place offers teachings about life's values and allows you to connect to the Almighty. Yagya Shala, Akhand Deep, and Gayatri Mata temple are the major tourist attractions of Shanti Kunj. Not only the Hindus but tourists of different other religions also visit the place to learn more about life. The best time to explore this place is from October to February.
- Location: Shantikunj, Sapt Rishi Rd, Motichur, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249411
- Timings: 24 Hours
Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary
You are wrong if you think there is nothing in Haridwar except temples and religious spots. Along with the religious and cultural places, there are many other visiting places in the region, and this wildlife sanctuary is also one of them. It is 18 kilometers from Haridwar and covers 249 square kilometers of land. The sanctuary is heaven for wildlife lovers as they can find an impressive range of animals and birds here. In this sanctuary, you can find tigers, bears, elephants, small cats, playful birds, and leopards. You can enjoy the jeep safari and the beautiful landscape of this beautiful place. Besides that, you can also enjoy the thrilling elephant rides there (in the morning and evening only).
- Location: Near Cheela Dam, Haridwar
- Timings: 6 am to 6:30 pm
Swami Vivekanand Park
It is one of the best places to visit in Haridwar at night. You can easily recognize the park from a distance due to the statue of Lord Shiva. There is also a statue of Swami Vivekananda. The park is in of triangular shape. It has many lush green lawns and flower beds. It is a well-maintained park, and you can visit it anytime to spend a few peaceful moments away from the bustle of life. The park is near to the Har Ki Pauri. Therefore, most people come here to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and views of Har Ki Pauri.
- Location: Swami Vivekanand Park, Haridwar
- Timings: 24 Hours
- Piran Kaliyar
It is situated in the southern part of Haridwar and is a hidden gem of Haridwar. This dargah has been dedicated to Hazrat Makhdum Allauddin Ali Ahamed. It was built by Ibrahim Lodi, who was the Sultan of Delhi. Thousands of devotees come here to seek the blessings. The URS festival is organized during the summer, and if you are visiting this dargah, you must attend this URS. It is just 10 kilometers away from Roorkee, and it is believed that whoever prays here gets whatever they want. Not only the Muslims but Hindus also visit this place.
- Location: Kaliyar village near Haridwar Delhi Highway
- Timings: 5:45 am to 6:30 pm
Conclusion:
Haridwar is an ancient city and a holy place for the Hindus. If you plan to visit the city, there are so many tourist spots you will love to explore. First of all, you can visit the temples and other religious spots. A visit to these places will be a spiritual journey that will teach you much about life. Besides, if you are a wildlife lover, you must explore the Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary and enjoy the elephant ride or a jeep safari. Visit the Swami Vivekanand Park to relax your body and unwind your mind.
