Planning a trip and looking for the best things to do in Haridwar? You are in the right place. Haridwar is one of India’s seven sacred cities. It sits where the Ganges leaves the Himalayas and enters the plains.
The name means “Gateway to God.” Whether you arrive as a pilgrim or a curious traveller, Haridwar stays with you long after you leave. Here is a complete guide to everything worth doing in this ancient city.
1. Witness the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri
If you do only one thing in Haridwar, make it this. The Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is held every evening at sunset. Saffron-robed priests swing large brass lamps over the fast-moving Ganges. Conch shells blow. Bells ring.
Thousands of devotees release lit diya boats onto the river. The surface fills with floating flames drifting downstream in the dark. It is one of the most powerful experiences in all of India. Entry is free.
Evening aarti timings range from 5:30 PM in December to 7:15 PM in June. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early for a good spot. A quieter morning aarti is held at dawn. Far fewer crowds. Same devotion. If possible, attend both.
2. Take a Holy Dip at Har Ki Pauri
Har Ki Pauri is the most sacred bathing ghat in Haridwar. It is believed to be the spot where the Ganges touched the feet of Lord Vishnu. A ritual bath here is considered to wash away sins.
The water is cold and direct from Himalayan snowmelt. The current is strong — chains are fixed along the steps for bathers to hold. The best time to bathe is early morning between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM. The atmosphere at this hour is deeply authentic and hard to forget.
3. Visit Mansa Devi Temple
Mansa Devi Temple sits on Bilwa Parvat hill above the city. It is dedicated to the goddess believed to fulfil the wishes of devotees. A ropeway from Uparwali Gali reaches the top in three minutes. The aerial views of the Ganges below are stunning.
A forest trail is also available for those who prefer to walk. At the temple, devotees tie a thread on the sacred tree. They return to untie it once their wish is fulfilled. The tree is covered in thousands of threads. Visit early morning to avoid long queues.
4. Climb to Chandi Devi Temple
Chandi Devi Temple stands on Neel Parvat hill on the opposite side of the city. It was originally established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. A ropeway connects from Chandi Ghat.
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Chandi. The hilltop views of Haridwar and the Shivalik ranges are among the best in the region. Combining Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi makes for a rewarding full morning.
5. Explore the Ancient Maya Devi Temple
Maya Devi Temple is one of the oldest temples in Haridwar. It dates back to the 11th century. It is also one of the 51 Shakti Peethas — among the most sacred Devi shrines in India. Unlike the hilltop temples, Maya Devi sits quietly inside the old city lanes.
It has a genuinely ancient atmosphere. This is the right temple for those who want to feel Haridwar’s deep history rather than just photograph it.
6. Attend a Ritual at Daksha Mahadev Temple
Daksha Mahadev Temple is located in Kankhal, four kilometres from the main city. It marks the site of the legendary Daksha Yagna — the fire sacrifice connected to the death of Sati and Shiva’s grief.
The temple contains a striking image of Daksha with a goat’s head. Kankhal is one of Haridwar’s oldest neighbourhoods. It is quieter and more residential than the ghat area. A short auto ride makes this an easy half-morning excursion.
7. Visit Shantikunj
Shantikunj is located on the Haridwar–Rishikesh highway. It is the global headquarters of the All World Gayatri Pariwar. The movement was founded by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya in 1953. Today it has tens of millions of followers worldwide. The campus is open to all visitors regardless of faith.
The atmosphere is calm and genuinely serene. It houses a Gayatri temple, a vast philosophical library, and a Yagya Shala where fire rituals are performed daily. Free guided tours are available. Short-stay retreat programmes can be arranged in advance. Even one hour here offers a powerful contrast to the noise of the main ghats.
8. Explore Patanjali Yogpeeth
Patanjali Yogpeeth is just down the highway from Shantikunj. It was founded by Baba Ramdev and has grown into one of India’s largest yoga and ayurvedic wellness campuses. Day visitors can attend yoga sessions and walk through the herbal medicine garden.
The scale of the ayurvedic hospital and research facilities is impressive. Whether or not you practise yoga, this is a fascinating example of traditional Indian wellness on a modern scale.
9. Wander Sapt Rishi Ashram and Sapt Sarovar
Sapt Sarovar is seven kilometres from the main city. The Ganges divides into seven channels here. According to Hindu tradition, seven great sages meditated at this exact spot. The river split around them so as not to disturb their meditation.
The area today is forested and peaceful. It is home to several ashrams including the Sapt Rishi Ashram. It is completely removed from the commercial noise of central Haridwar. A quiet afternoon here is one of the most underrated experiences in the city.
10. Take a Day Trip to Rishikesh
Rishikesh is just 24 kilometres from Haridwar. It is easily reached by shared auto, local bus, or taxi in under an hour. The two cities feel very different. Haridwar is a city of Hindu pilgrimage. Rishikesh blends spirituality with yoga culture, cafés, and adventure tourism.
A day trip allows you to walk the famous Laxman Jhula suspension bridge and visit the Beatles Ashram where the Fab Four stayed in 1968. A half-day white-water rafting trip on the Ganges rapids is also easy to arrange from here.
11. Go on a Safari in Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park borders Haridwar to the east. It covers 820 square kilometres of sal forest and Himalayan foothills. The park is home to Asian elephants, leopards, tigers, sloth bears, and over 300 bird species.
Jeep safaris depart from the Chilla range entry point, about 10 kilometres from the city. The park is open from November to June. An early morning safari departing around 6:00 AM gives the best chance of elephant sightings and the most atmospheric forest light.
12. Explore Shatuj Village
Shatuj is a quiet village on the outskirts of Haridwar. It offers a complete contrast to the intensity of the ghats. Local farmers here grow sugarcane, wheat, and seasonal vegetables using traditional methods.
Walking through Shatuj in the early morning is a different kind of Haridwar experience. Farmers head to their fields. Smoke rises from clay stoves. It is rural Uttarakhand life, unfiltered and unhurried. A shared auto from the bus stand reaches the village in under 20 minutes.
13. Shop at Bara Bazaar
The market streets between Haridwar Junction and Har Ki Pauri are worth exploring on foot. Shops sell brass idols, rudraksha malas, Ganga jal, Himalayan honey, ayurvedic herbs, and saffron.
Bara Bazaar and Upper Road are the main stretches. Even if you are not buying, walking the bazaar in the evening is an experience in itself. It is lit up, crowded, and fragrant with incense. Bargain confidently — tourist prices always start high.
14. Visit Bharat Mata Mandir
Bharat Mata Mandir is a seven-storey temple in the Sapt Sarovar area. It is dedicated to Mother India rather than any individual deity. Each floor depicts a different aspect of India’s heritage — from ancient sages to freedom fighters. It is entirely unique in India.
An hour here gives an interesting perspective on how spirituality and national identity intersect in modern Hindu culture. The views from the upper floors are excellent.
Final Word
The best things to do in Haridwar go far beyond the main ghat. This city has hilltop temples, forest parks, riverside villages, and spiritual institutions that most visitors never reach. Give yourself at least two full days.
Explore slowly. The Ganges runs cold and fast through the centre of all of it — and that alone makes Haridwar unlike anywhere else in the world.
FAQ
The most famous attraction is Har Ki Pauri and its evening Ganga Aarti. Other key sites include Mansa Devi Temple and Chandi Devi Temple.
Visit Har Ki Pauri in the morning, explore Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi temples, and attend the Ganga Aarti at sunset.
Yes. Two days allow you to see major temples and even take a short trip to nearby areas like Rishikesh.
Avoid peak summer (May–June), heavy monsoon (July–August), and major festival days due to extreme heat or heavy crowds.