About Haridwar
Haridwar is one of Hinduism's seven holy cities, at the point where the Ganga reaches the plains. It is one of the four sites of the Kumbh Mela, and it is the traditional gateway to the Char Dham route.
It can be visited alone in a day or two, and it joins easily with Rishikesh, less than an hour away.
Har ki Pauri
This ghat is the city's heart, and a stone here is believed to carry the footprint of Lord Vishnu. Bathers come through the day, but the great moment is the evening Ganga aarti, when priests raise huge flaming lamps. Arrive early for a place on the steps.
Hilltop temples
Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi temples stand on hills either side of town. Both can be reached by cable car, which saves a climb and gives broad views of the river and the city.
Rituals and old bazaars
Many families come to perform rites for ancestors, and pandits keep genealogy records going back generations. Upper Road's bazaar sells brassware, rudraksha and sweets, and the vegetarian food here is simple and good.
