Haridwar

Travel Guide

Triveni Ghat showing religious aspects and a sunset as well as a small group of people
Ram Jhula showing a suspension bridge or treetop walkway as well as a small group of people
Haridwar as well as a small group of people
Haridwar featuring land animals and markets
Rishikesh as well as an individual male
The “Gateway to God” is an energetic city and pilgrim center blessed with magnificent temples, colorful festivals and striking Himalayan scenery.

Awash with striking temples and mystical bathing ghats, Haridwar draws religious pilgrims and curious travelers. Participate in extravagant festivals, walk through serpentine bazaars and discover breathtaking natural landscapes. Haridwar is one of India’s seven holiest cities. Its name means Gateway to God. The city straddles the sacred Ganges River in the Himalayan foothills.

Haridwar’s heart is Har Ki Pauri, a hectic yet humble bathing ghat where the Ganges Canal and Ganges River meet. Watch pandits (Hindu priests), pilgrims and sadhus (holy men) bathe in the river’s spiritually cleansing water. Arrive at dusk for the entrancing Ganga aarti (river worship ceremony), when the sounds of mantra fill the air and candlelit lamps illuminate the river. Find similar activities at Birla Ghat, Gau Ghat and Vishnu Ghat.

Witness more spiritual devotion at Haridwar’s resplendent temples. Stroll along the canal banks to the 11th-century Maya Devi Temple. Hike with pilgrims to hilltop Mansa Devi Temple and ride a scenic cable car to Chandi Devi Temple. Take an auto-rickshaw to Bharat Mandir, a multilevel temple full of statues of revered deities. Visit the Daksh Prajapati Temple Complex in nearby Kankhal district.

Throughout the year, festivals light up the river and temples. These include March’s flamboyant Holi (Festival of Colors), June’s Ganga Dussehra and November’s Kartik Poornima. The most famous of all is Kumbh Mela, which takes place once every 12 years and welcomes thousands of colorfully dressed sadhus.

Browse the stalls of Bara Bazar and Moti Bazar to purchase religious paraphernalia, handicrafts and ayurveda medicines. Alternatively, enjoy family-friendly fun at Crystal World, an amusement park with roller coasters, swimming pools and waterslides.

Located in Uttarakhand state, Haridwar is easily reachable via trains from major Indian destinations such as AmritsarOpens in a new window, ChennaiOpens in a new window, New DelhiOpens in a new window and VaranasiOpens in a new window. Get around central Haridwar on foot to truly experience the city’s lively atmosphere. Otherwise, use affordable auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws. Many people visit Haridwar before traveling to RishikeshOpens in a new window. Take the opportunity to join a wildlife safari in Rajaji National Park.

Where to stay in Haridwar

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Ram Ghat

4/5(2 area reviews)

The restaurants and shopping are just a few features travellers like about Ram Ghat. If you want to do some sightseeing nearby, Har Ki Pauri and Shantikunj are a few top places to visit.

Ram Ghat
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Birla Ghat

Birla Ghat is noteworthy for its river views, and you can plan an outing to Har Ki Pauri and Shantikunj while you're in town.

Birla Ghat
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BHEL Township

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

BHEL Township is well liked for its restaurants, and you can visit sights like Daksh Prajapati Temple and Mansa Devi Temple if you have time to explore the area.

BHEL Township
Fortune Park, Haridwar - Member ITC Hotels' Group
Fortune Park, Haridwar - Member ITC Hotels' Group
4 out of 5
Plot No. 296/2 NH-58 Bahadrabad, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
The price is HK$363 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
HK$363
HK$407 total
includes taxes & fees
26 Apr - 27 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Haridwar. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Crystal World and Daksh ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (78 reviews)
"Great staff. Clean facility."

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2025

Fortune Park, Haridwar - Member ITC Hotels' Group
Hyatt Place Haridwar
Hyatt Place Haridwar
2 out of 5
NH-58 Near Toll Plaza, Bahadrabad, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
The price is HK$414 per night from 8 May to 9 May
HK$414
HK$464 total
includes taxes & fees
8 May - 9 May
Stay at this hotel in Haridwar. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Crystal World and Piran Kaliyar Sharif Dargah are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (11 reviews)
"Excellent hotel with great service, food and ambiance at Zing was amazing!"

Reviewed on 30 Dec 2024

Hyatt Place Haridwar
Pilibhit House, Haridwar - IHCL SeleQtions
Pilibhit House, Haridwar - IHCL SeleQtions
5 out of 5
38/1, Sharvan Nath Nagar,, Niranjani Akhara Road, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 
The price is HK$2,907 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
HK$2,907
HK$3,430 total
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Haridwar. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (50 reviews)
Brilliant
"Phenomenal stay. Only downside is that they should mention that the courtyard is not a garden but the reception welcome area. The rooms we booked overlooked the courtyard which was stunning but the staff laughing loudly in the middle of the night and talking loudly is really disappointing and ..."

Reviewed on 29 Mar 2025

Pilibhit House, Haridwar - IHCL SeleQtions
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rosewood Apartment Hotel
Rosewood Apartment Hotel
4 out of 5
GH-1 & 2 Haridwar Greens, Haridwar, BHEL Township, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Haridwar. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attraction Crystal World is located ...
7.4/10 Good! (3 reviews)
Definitely not 4 star
"Definitely not a 4 star. Poor service. Poor management and staff. Cleanliness terrible. Would not stay here again."

Reviewed on 6 Jun 2022

Rosewood Apartment Hotel
Villasita
Villasita
3.5 out of 5
Khasra No. 56, Shyampur, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Stay at this 3.5-star spa villa in Haridwar. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Har Ki Pauri and Daksh Prajapati ...
Villasita
The Ridge House By Himalayan Eco Lodges
The Ridge House By Himalayan Eco Lodges
3 out of 5
The Ridge House, Kanda Village, Near Nursing College, New Tehri, Tehri, Uttarakhand
Stay at this 3-star villa in Tehri. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and premium TV channels. Popular attractions Surkanda Devi Temple and Kaudia Forest are located ...
The Ridge House By Himalayan Eco Lodges
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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