Haridwar and Rishikesh

June 24, 2018

Haridwar is an ancient city and important Hindu pilgrimage site in North India’s Uttarakhand state, where the River Ganges exits the Himalayan foothills. The largest of several sacred ghats (bathing steps), Har Ki Pauri hosts a nightly Ganga Aarti (river-worshipping ceremony) in which tiny flickering lamps are floated off the steps. Worshipers fill the city during major festivals including the annual Kanwar Mela. Rishikesh is a city in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand, in the Himalayan foothills beside the Ganges River. The river is considered holy, and the city is renowned as a center for studying yoga and meditation. Temples and ashrams (centers for spiritual studies) line the eastern bank around Swarg Ashram, a traffic-free, alcohol-free and vegetarian enclave upstream from Rishikesh town.

Places to visit in Haridwar and Rishikesh

: Bharat Mata Mandir Looking for a way to worship the subcontinent of India? Bharat Mata Mandir is the place for you. Bharat Mata Mandir is dedicated to India as a country and thereby gets its name from its purpose. Its name translates into "The Temple of Mother India".

: Chandi Devi Temple Devoted to Lord Durga's form Chandi, this ancient hill-top temple is famous for its wish fulfilling belief. You can reach the temple using Udan Khatola aka the ropeway or trek 45 minutes up the steep stairway.

: Daksha Mahadev Mandir A famous temple in Kankhal, Haridwar Daksha Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple becomes a centre of attraction in the month of Sawan when all the devotees flock to the temple to worship.

: Ganga Arti The Ganga Aarti in Hardwar is performed at the Har-ki-Pauri Ghat, which was built in the 1st century by King Vikram. In the evening, as the sun's last rays reflect off the boundless waters of the river Ganga, people start gathering for the Aarti.

: Har ki Pauri Regarded as one of the most scared Ghats in Haridwar and India, Har Ki Pauri is visited by devotees and visitors in large number seeking the blessings of Holy Ganga by offering their prayers.

: Kumbh Mela Haridwar in Uttarakhand is an important pilgrimage town for the Hindus. The place is a perfect escape from the cacophony of urban life and a beautiful amalgamation of old and new, replete with beauty, culture, history and spirituality

: Mansa Devi Temple One of the famous Siddhapeeths atop Shivalik Hills, the temple dedicated to the companion of Nag King Vasuki, Goddess Manasa, this is another temple believed to grant devotees wishes. Mansa Devi temple is one vertex of the Siddhapeeth triangle formed by Chandi Devi and Maya Devi temples.

: Maya Devi Temple Maya Devi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Maya in the holy city of Haridwar of Uttarakhand state in India. It is believed that the heart and navel of goddess Sati fell in the region where the temple stands today and thus it is sometimes referred to as a Shakti Peetha.

: Sapt Rishi Famous for having hosted 7 great sages- Kashyapa, Vashishta, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jamadagi, Bharadwaja and Gautam, this ashram is well known for its tranquil atmosphere ideal for meditation. It is also believed that Ganga split herself into seven currents at this spot.

: Vaishno Devi Temple A replica of the Vaishno Devi temple in Kashmir, the temple is marked by tunnels and caves that leads to the inner sanctum containing the shrine of Goddess Vaishno Devi.

: Adventure Activities in Rishikesh Rishikesh is also a brilliant spot for white water rafting. Other adventure activities include mountain biking, canyoning and even bungee jumping. However, the rates and availability differ from season to season.

: Bharat Mandir Founded by Adiguru Shankaracharya in 12th century, the shrine houses Lord Vishnu carved out of a single piece of Saligram. The inner canopy of the temple contains Shree Yanthra.

: Bungee Jumping in Rishikesh If you are an adventure seeking soul, then Rishikesh offers you one of the best professionally managed bungee jumping in India. With an impeccable safety record, their operation and equipments are very safe. The bungee jumping spot is situated about 20 kms from main city

: Geeta Bhawan Gita Bhavan is located on the banks of River Ganga. This place has over 1000 rooms to offer free of cost to the visitors. Various 'Satsang' Programs are also organized during summers.

: Kaudiyala At 380 m high, Kaudiyala is a popular rock climbing destination surrounded by dense forests. It also offers white river rafting tracks, and the sports is organized by the camping facilities around the place.

: Kuari Pass The alpine meadow of Kuari Pass has been attracting backpackers from around the globe for decades. Being in close proximity to Nanda Devi biosphere, Kuari Pass is at the center of the most remarkable regions of Garhwal known for its unique wild grandeur.

: Lakshman Jhula The Lakshman Jhula is a famous hanging bridge across the river Ganga that connects two villages, Tapovan in the Tehri Garhwal district and Jonk in the Pauri Garhwal district. Located 5 kilometres to the northeast of the town Rishikesh in the Indian state of Uttarakhand

: Neelkantha Mahadeva Temple Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Shiva as Neelkanth is his another name. This temple is located around 7km from Swarg Ashram and the route is a 3 hour long walk along a forest path.

: Piran Kaliyar Sharif The resting place of the Sufi saint Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir, Piran Kaliyar Sharif is a famous dargah located in Kaliyari village near Haridwar

: Rafting in Rishikesh Blend into the ambience of the beautiful Ganga decorated by the spirit and energy of your fellow rafters. Beach camp at night and sip your favourite drink and eat your favourite snacks by the beach, explore the woods if you want to. And in the morning, wake up to exotic and refreshing views

: Shivanda Ashram Founded by Swami Shivananda in 1932, the ashram founded and supports many charitable institutions such as Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy, Sivananda Eye Hospital and Sivananda Ayurvedic Pharmacy.

: Triveni Ghat Triveni Ghat is a confluence of three holy significant rivers of India, namely, the Ganges, the Yamuna and the Saraswathi. It is one of the most revered sacred bathing spots in Rishikesh, situated on the banks of the Ganges river. It is a sacred belief amongst the locals

: Rishikesh Rishikesh is a city in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand, in the Himalayan foothills beside the Ganges River. The river is considered holy, and the city is renowned as a center for studying yoga and meditation. Temples and ashrams (centers for spiritual studies) line the eastern bank around Swarg Ashram, a traffic-free, alcohol-free and vegetarian enclave upstream from Rishikesh town.