Hello or Namaste, all travelers! I’m the adventurous person behind Travel Piq, a traveler and storyteller living in the vibrant land of India. And today we will learn about the holy place Har Ki Pauri located in Haridwar city of Uttarakhand district of India.
About Har ki Pauri
Har Ki Pauri is a sacred Ghat situated on the banks of river Ganga in the religious city of Haridwar. These are the feet of Lord Vishnu. “Har” means “Hari” (Lord Vishnu) and “Pauri” means “step”.
Here Ganga Aarti is performed who is worshiped in the form of Mother Ganga. In this Ganga Aarti, thousands of devotees come every day to see the Aarti of Goddess Ganga.
Apart from being the main Ganga bathing place (Har Ki Pauri) of Haridwar, this place is also considered to have divine and spiritual importance. It is said that by coming to Har Ki Pauri and taking a bath in the river Ganga, sins are washed away.
Performing Worship related to all Gods, performing Worship for one’s ancestors. All such works are considered auspicious if done by coming to Har Ki Pauri with the blessings of Mother Ganga. Because the Ganga water flowing in Har Ki Pauri is considered very sacred.
Famous for
This place is full of ancient history and cultural heritage, due to which it has become a center of tourism in Haridwar. It is known as a spiritual center among many religious, cultural, and tourism lovers.
Har Ki Pauri address
Map of Har Ki Pauri
Distance from Haridwar
This holy place is at a distance of about 2-3 kilometers from the railway station or bus stand of Haridwar. One can also reach here by auto rickshaw or on foot.
The nearest airport to Haridwar is Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport which is about 35 kilometers from Haridwar.
How to Reach Har Ki Pauri
To reach Har Ki Pauri you can use air route, rail route and bus route. Here is information on how to reach Haridwar city through various modes of transport:
To reach Har Ki Pauri you can use air route, rail route and bus route. Here is information on how to reach Haridwar city through various modes of transport:
By Air travel
- The nearest airport to Haridwar is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 35 kilometers from Haridwar.
- This airport is connected to the main cities of India.
- Taxi or cab facility is available to reach Haridwar which takes about 1-2 hours.
By Railways
- Haridwar railway station is connected to many main cities of India.
- Train services from Haridwar Railway Station connect with many major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai etc.
- The distance of Har Ki Pauri from Haridwar Railway Station is about 2-3 kilometers. You can reach Har Ki Pauri by taking an auto-rickshaw or enjoying the markets on foot.
By Bus
- Haridwar Bus Stand, which is opposite to the railway station, all types of buses for Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh are available from here.
- Buses to major cities are available from Haridwar bus stand, be it Delhi, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Shimla, Manali, Nainital etc.
- The distance from the bus stand to Har Ki Pauri is about 2-3 kilometers which can be covered by any auto rickshaw, e-rickshaw and also on foot.
This place is located in the center of the city, so it is quite convenient to reach there.
Spiritual Story or History of Har Ki Pauri
The history of Har Ki Pauri in Hindu religion is considered to be very religious, interesting and spiritually important. Let us know about the mythological story of this place.
According to mythology, when the drops of nectar fell on the earth during the churning of the ocean, Har Ki Pauri is the place where the drops fell; hence Har Ki Pauri and the city of Haridwar are considered sacred and religious places.
As we have read that Lord Shri Vishnu had left his footprints at this place. Therefore this place is named after “Har” meaning Lord Vishnu and “Pauri” meaning stairs.
Historical Significance of Har ki Pauri
King Vikramaditya had established Har Ki Pauri in the memory of his brother Bhrithari. In Har Ki Pauri, Bhrithari had performed penance here for the peace of his soul and in the ghats built here; worship is done for the peace of his soul.
Out of which the most sacred Ghats is considered to be Bhramkund. There are many ghats in Har Ki Pauri which are famous for their different ghats. For the peace of the soul, worshiping in these ghats of Haridwar gives peace to the soul.
Bhramkund: Sacred Place of Har Ki Pauri
This Ghat of Har Ki Pauri is full of sacred and special significance, its name is Bhramkund. According to mythology, it is believed that during the churning of the ocean, a few drops of nectar fell on the earth. Drops of nectar had fallen at the place of Bhramkund, bathing here is considered very sacred.
Bhramkund is considered the most sacred place of river Ganga. By taking bath here, devotees believe that all their sins are washed away and they attain salvation.
Ganga Aarti timing
In this religious place Haridwar’s holy Ghat Har Ki Pauri, the most famous is the Ganga Aarti. The river Ganga flowing in Haridwar is worshiped, whose aarti is performed in the Bhramkund of Har Ki Pauri. Many devotees are present here to see Ganga Aarti and Ganga Aarti takes place every morning and evening.
The spectacle of Ganga Aarti is full of devotion and echoes with the sounds of bells and mantras. At the time of Aarti, the shadow of the lamps falling on the river Ganga makes the atmosphere sacred.
“Ganga Aarti timings start between 5:00 AM to 6:50 PM, while evening Aarti timings start between 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.”
This time may also change according to the season. Please reach Har ki Pauri in Haridwar and find out the correct time so that you can reach Ganga Aarti at the right time.
“The greater the depth of the river, the louder is the noise of the water. The silence hidden in that noise is never heard, rather it is felt.”
“नदी की गहराई जितनी बड़ी होती है, पानी का शोर भी उतना ही गहरा होता है। उस शोर में छिपा सन्नाटा कभी सुनाई नहीं देता, बल्कि वह महसूस होता है।“
Things to do in Har Ki Pauri
Har Ki Pauri is a religious place full of spirituality. Where the holy river Ganga flows which is worshiped and is also the place of temples. Apart from being a religious and spiritual place, other activities are also done here. Here are some of the major activities:
Visit Ganga Aarti
Ganga Aarti is performed in the morning and evening in which many devotees are immersed in devotion. The twinkling bells and echoes of song (bhajans) mantras in river Ganga mesmerize the mind.
Bathing in Ganga
It is believed that by taking bath in Har Ki Pauri, people wash away their sins and become pure. A large number of devotees come here from every corner of India to take bath.
Worship and Rituals
Various religious rituals and Worship can be seen being performed at Har Ki Pauri. You can get blessings by performing special Worship from the Brahmin here.
Visiting religious places
There are several important temples around Har Ki Pauri, such as:
- Mansa Devi Temple: This temple is dedicated to Mansa Devi and can be reached by cable car or on foot.
- Chandi Devi Temple: This temple is dedicated to Chandi Devi and is located at a short distance from Har Ki Pauri. One can reach here by cable cart or by climbing on foot.
Buy Prasad and religious items
There are many shops of religious items and Prasad near Har Ki Pauri. You can buy religious items, Prasad, lamps, incense sticks etc. from here.
Visit to local market
You can buy religious clothes, souvenirs, jewelry and other local handicrafts in the local market located near Har Ki Pauri.
Places to Visit near Har Ki Pauri
There are many important religious, historical and natural sites around Har Ki Pauri, which you can visit during your visit. Here is a list of some major places:
- Mansa Devi Temple
- Chandi Devi Temple
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
- Maya Devi Temple
- Bharat Mata Temple
- Sapt Rishi Ashram and Sapt Sarovar
- Pawan Dham
- Shanti Kunj
- Patanjali Yogpeeth
- Rajaji National Park
Kumbh Mela
Importance of Kumbh Mela is very important for the city of Haridwar. Kumbh Mela is organized in Haridwar every 12 years. Lakh of devotees come here to take bath and all the devotees including Aghori Baba are present. Har Ki Pauri and Haridwar city are decorated for the Kumbh Mela and preparations for the arrival of such a large number of people are also taken care of. It is called Mahakumbh of religious rituals and faith.
Best time to visit
Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar is a religious place which is mainly famous for Ganga bath and Ganga Aarti. All seasons are suitable to visit Har Ki Pauri. Here are some seasonal activities:
Summer Season (April to June)
In summer the temperature rises to 25°C to 40°C, but the weather remains slightly cool in the mornings and evenings.
Special Attractions
- This time is favorable for bathing in Ganga and meditation.
- Summer season is the time for more religious events and fairs.
- Kanwar Yatra is organized in July, which is an important time for devotees.
Monsoon Season (July to September)
Haridwar receives heavy rainfall during monsoon, due to which the flow of river Ganga remains fast. The temperature remains between 20°C to 30°C.
Special attractions
- At this time, the greenery of Haridwar and the surge of river Ganga are worth seeing.
- This time can be a bit difficult to travel, but for those who enjoy the rain, the experience can be unique.
- The number of tourists is less during monsoon, which makes it less crowded.
Winter Season (October to March)
The weather of Haridwar is cold in winter because the winds of Ganga River in Haridwar make the weather cold but pleasant. The temperature remains approximately between 10°C to 25°C.
Special attractions
- It is very pleasant to experience Ganga Aarti at this time. But cold winds of river Ganga also blow.
- The crowd is less than in other seasons, so you can travel comfortably.
- Festivals like Diwali, Makar Sankranti and Shivratri can be enjoyed in this season. There is a lot of excitement in these festivals in Haridwar which become good memorable moments for any tourist.
Top reasons to visit Har Ki Pauri
Har Ki Pauri Haridwar is very famous due to its religious and spiritual importance as well as its beauty and cultural heritage. Here are some of the top reasons why a trip to Har Ki Pauri is a must:
- Ganga Aarti Experience
- Holy Ganga Bath
- Religious and spiritual center
- Center for Kumbh Mela and religious events
- Ancient and historical importance
- Spiritual and Yoga Center
- Beautiful natural scenery
- Proximity to various religious places
- Local culture and markets
- Spiritual and cultural interaction
Food near Har Ki Pauri
There are many places near Har Ki Pauri where you can enjoy delicious and traditional food. Here are some special dishes:
- Puri-Bhaji: Potato curry with hot and crispy Puri
- Potato Shortbread
- Jalebi, Rasgulla, and Samosa
- North Indian thalis
- Chole bhature
- Chinese cuisine
- Chaat, Aloo Tikki, and Golgappa
- Rajasthani thalis
- south Indian
FAQ
Cheers to New Adventures: Join Us at Travel Piq
Hello all adventurous travelers!
Thank you all for joining me on this wonderful journey through the blog of Har Ki Pauri, the holy ghat of Haridwar. With the holy Ganga Aarti and the ancient stories that reverberate around it, the sanctity of this place really shines through. A visit to Har Ki Pauri is a religious experience that gives a deep connection to spirituality and heritage.
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