Haridwar is an ancient city which is located in the district of Uttarakhand India. The river Ganga enters the Indo-Gangetic plains of India after travelling around 230kms from its origin which is at the edge of Gangotri Glacier for the first time in this city. That is why this city is also known as Gangadwara.
This place holds special importance to Hindus as it is one of the seven holiest places in their religion. According to the legend during the time of Samudra Manthan Haridwar was one of the places where the drops of Amrit The elixir of immortality was accidentally spilled over from the pitcher when the celestial bird Garuda was carrying it.
This place is also one of the twelve places where the Kumbh Mela is hosted after every twelve years. During the Haridwar Kumbh Mela lots of devotees, pilgrims and travellers perform their rituals and take a bath in river Ganga to wash away all of their sins and to attain the Moksha.
Haridwar is the holiest and sacred city for Hindus. It is believed that every Hindu person should at least visit this city once in his lifetime and take a bath in the Ganga river.
Today I will be telling you what are the most famous tourist spots in Haridwar, Even if you are not interested in spiritualism and gods and legends then also Haridwar offers you lots of other places to see And believe me once you visit the Haridwar you will definitely know that there is something beyond our physical existence. So without wasting much of your time here is the list of all the points of interests in Haridwar.
Rajaji National Park
This place is not only a national park but also a tiger reserve. three wildlife sanctuaries were merged into one to form this national park. You will be able to find lots of species of flora and fauna in this place. This is the second place to reserve the title of the tiger reserve. If you are a nature lover then I highly recommend you to visit this place. It is one of the best place ever.
Mansa Devi Temple
This temple is dedicated to Mansa Devi. This temple is located at the top of Bilwa Parvat on the Siwalik hills which is basically the southernmost mountain chain of Himalayas. Along with Mansa Devi temple, this temple is also famous with another name which is Bilwa Tirth. It is one of the Panch Tirth within Haridwar Panch Tirth basically translates to five pilgrims.
Har Ki Pauri is a famous ghat on the banks of river Ganges in Haridwar. This place is a major landmark in the Haridwar city. It is believed that Both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu both visited this place in the ancient times. There is also a large footprint on a wall which is said belongs to the Lord Vishnu. This place is the main venue for the Kumbh Mela which is hosted After every twelve years along with that the place also hosts Ardh Kumbh Mela which is hosted after every six years. This spot is believed to be the exact spot from where the river Ganga Leaves the mountains and enters the Plain.
Chandi Devi Temple
This is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Chandi. This temple is situated on the top of Neel Parvat on the summit of Siwalik Hills which is known to be the southernmost chain of Himalayas. It was built in the year 1929 by the Suchat Singh who was the king of Kashmir. But the interesting thing here is that the main statue of the Goddess Chandi is said to be installed in the 8th Century. This temple is also one of the Panch Tirth.
Ganges canal or the Ganges is a canal system which supplies water to the Doab region between the Ganga and Yamuna River. This place is a must visit, you will be really amazed by its scenery and if you are lucky you will be able to see all the high mountain ranges in the Himalayas from a single view. It’s really the best place that you should definitely visit whenever you are visiting the city of Haridwar.
It is an Ashram and a headquarters for All World Gayatri Pariwar. It was established in the year of 1971 by Pandit Sriram Sharma. People who are seeking connection with spiritualism and want to learn the art of meditation and want to keep on their Moral and ethnic values and learn something new then this is a must visit place for them. It really allows you to connect with yourself. The Ashram offers all sorts of basic facilities including food and night stay.
Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that goddess Parvati appeased Lord Shiva under the Bilwa tree that is why the temple is named like this. When Lord Shiva was finally pleased with Parvati he agreed to take her as a wife. This place is not so much crowded and it sits on a top of a hill so you will be blessed with calmness and a nice view as well.
Shri Ganga Mandir
Just beside the Hari Ki Pauri or the temple which is also Known as Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple, there is a temple called Shri Ganga Mandir This is the temple in which you will be able to see the footmarks of Lord Vishnu on the wall. Both of these temples Hari ki Pauri and Shri Ganga Mandir Lies on the banks of River Ganga.
Vaishno Devi Temple
This temple is a replica of the original Vaishno Devi Temple which is situated in the Jammu and Kashmir. This Shrine is dedicated to Holy Goddes Maa Vaishno Devi Which basically is the Manifestation of the Hindu Goddess Laxmi. In this temple, there are three main deities which are Goddess Laxmi, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Kali. It is believed that once you have managed to please the Vaishno Devi you are blessed and all of your wishes are fulfilled.
This is a barrage on the Ganges River at Hari Ki Pauri. The main purpose of this Barrage was for Irrigation but now it also provides water for Hydroelectric power generation. The area which is before the Barrage is known as the Neel Dhara Bird Sanctuary which is a place for many water birds and thus it attracts many nature lovers and bird watchers. This beautiful Barrage or Dam is situated in a very scenic view, You will be mesmerized by the view and if you are interested in viewing different kinds of Birds then you should definitely visit the Neel Dhara Bird Sanctuary. This Barrage completed its final construction in the year of 1983.
Along with the places mentioned above following are the places which you should definitely visit while visiting the Holy city of the Haridwar India
Buland Darwaza, Pawan Dham, Dakhneshwara Mahadev Temple, Crystal park, Raja Birla Tower, Bhimgoda
Subash Ghat, Old Palace of King Patiyala, Chandi devi Mandir, Shree Ayaapa Mandir, Sureshwari Devi Mandir.
Haridwar is a very beautiful city which will definitely help you feel something towards the spirituality. I personally believe that even if you are not Hindu you should definitely visit the Haridwar and see for yourself the beauty of this small gem city which India Holds.