Haridwar, Haridwar also spelled, is a city in the state of Uttarakhand.
Understand
Haridwar, literally the Gateway to God, is one of the Hindu holy places in India and a center of Hindu religion and mysticism for centuries. Located on the banks of the River Ganges, at the point where the Ganges down from the mountains in the north Indian plains, Haridwar attracts a large number of Hindu pilgrims from all over the world.
Festivals
Haridwar is the site of many religious ceremonies. It is noteworthy that every twelve years is the venue for the Kumbh Mela, humanity's largest festival, which drew a record 70 million 2003rd The Ardha Mela, or "half mela", is held every six years. Both will be held in Haridwar for the next time 2010th
Other annual festivals include:
Baisakhi, April.
Kanwar Mela, July.
The largest annual festival, drawing up to 300,000 visitors.
Somwati Amavasya, July.
Almost as large as the Kanwar Mela.
Kartik Purnima, held 15 days after Diwali on the first night of full moon in November.
See Haridwar city's website for a complete list. While festivals are colorful and fascinating, they also strain the city's limited infrastructure to breaking point and sometimes incomprehensible. Book your rooms and tickets early and avoid travel by road traffic congestion can be horrendous.
Come in
Haridwar is about 200 km from Delhi, capital of India and is well connected to road and rail network from all regions of India.
By Air
Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport, with twice daily service to Delhi in Air Deccan, is 20 km from Haridwar.
By train
There are daily Rajdhani and Shatabdi express from Delhi and Dehradun. But buses are faster and more frequent. The train station is located on the south side of town, within walking distance of most hotels, but a 2 km walk to the Hari-ki-Pairi.
By Bus
Haridwar's bus station, a stone's throw from the railway station, is chaotic and lacks any signs in English. There is a regular bus service from Delhi, Rishikesh and other major cities in North India to Haridwar. Although they claim that they reach New Delhi in 4-5 hours they will take at least 6-7 hours. Because of congestion on the roads leading in and out of Delhi it can take 7-8 hours. Before booking the bus monitor the bus state. Always go to the protected and push-back seats. The long and winding ride will take a toll on your mood and your body.
Climate
Central Haridwar can be reasonably comfortably covered on foot. Cycle rickshaws abound, and most trips in the city should not cost more than Rs. 20th Taxis and auto rickshaws are collected at the train and bus stations.
View
Hari-ki-Pairi.
In the north of the city center, this is Haridwar's shop where supporters gather to bathe and worship the Ganges.
According to legend, this is a drop of nectar fell from the churning of the oceans when the world was created, and a stone wall has Vishnu footprint.
Every night around 7 PM, thousands gather and worship the river Goddess, by putting diyas in the river.
You may be asked to make a donation if you take around Ghats.
Beware of con artists posing as officers.
To make a donation there are boxes in the middle of the Ghats around light poles.
Mansa Devi Mandir, atop a hill near the center of town.
Can be reached by cable car or by a road that winds gently upwards, from Railway Road.
The temple is esthetically not very remarkable, but the views are grand.
Expect to queue up to board the cable car and once again go into the temple: although some rudimentary attempts to visitors, jostling crowd supporters can make this a pretty intense experience.
Bharat Mandir Mata, 5 km north of the center.
Dedicated to Mother India, this is half temple, half a nation building exercise, with seven floors stacked with the gods, saints, and secular heroes of all Indian religions.
Some signs in English.
Chandidevi Mandir 0.8-9km from the railway station, you will combine packages to see the temples with both AC buses including bus and cable car fees
Daksh Mandir from 0.7 to 8 km from the railway station, you get rick show or you can hire a car, also near many Mandir watching kankhal.
Make
Divya Yog Mandir Trust, University, 16 km from Haridvar.
Founded by Baba Ramdev.
Premnagar Ashram, 2 km from Haridvar.
Founded by Shri Satpal Maharaj Ji.
Buy
Eat
Sindh dugdh Bhandar, rly. rd. Haridwar, ☎ 320,209th A swing in this city since 1948. But well maintained and a multi-cuisine restaurant with very good service the most important one it is air-conditioned, unlike the other restaurants in town.
Haridwar is a pure vegetarian city.
Hoshiyarpuriwala, This shop is old and claim to have started in 1935.
In 7-8 minutes walk from the Hari-Ki-Pairi.
It has a variety of North Indian delicacies but I would recommend Thaali for all.
It costs Rs.
80.00.
But its so much that it requires a special effort to complete it.
And if a grand finish a sweet dish you can not resist.
Khaao Khaao India.
Chotiwalas, Subhash Ghat.
The closest McDonald's may Haridwar, serves a broad menu of south and north Indian favorites, with some Indian-Chinese thrown in. Most meals around Rs.
60th
Chotiwalas Asli, Subhash Ghat.
Claiming to be the initial, unfranchised Chotiwalas, the first store below steps when walking south from Hari-ki-Pairi.
The "Chotiwalas Special" is a super-filling concoction of paneer and veggies in a creamy tomato base, topped with cheese and yogurt.
Hotel Alpan, Ram Ghat.
Claiming to be new, clean, 400 meters from Hari-ki-Pairi.
The "Alpan Meal" Nice, decent place to relax
Drink
Alcohol is banned in Haridwar.
Sleep
For most of the hotel check-in time is 12 Noon. Much to Dharmshalas are also available in Haridwar.
Budget
Hotel Ganga Azure, Railway Road, +91 334-220938/9,. Small, not entirely clean room. Hot water from 6-8 PM only, but the shower may be broken. The hotel restaurant is well liked, but no prize. Rs 700/1500.
Shri Ram Sharnam Ashram, 511-A, Sapt Sarovar Marg, Bhopatwala, tel. +919810011735,. Rooms available at nominal maintenance costs.
Nightlife
Bhaj-Govindam, near Bhimgoda Bridge, +91 1334 261682nd Charming, hut-style accommodation, with a common lawn of over-looking the River. Rs 900/1550. .
Teerth, Subhash Ghat, Hari-Ki-Pairi, tel. +91 334 225211,. Riverside living next to Hari-Ki-Pairi, the main sales argument is the great river views from balconies. The rooms are air conditioning, spacious, clean. Rooms from Rs 1200th
Areas
Haveli Hari Ganga, 21 Pilibhit district House, Ram Ghat, +91,334 226443rd A comfortably appointed hotel / spa with a private Ghat and balconies with river views. Rs 2800 and up.
A group of new, modern hotels have sprung up in Bhopatwala, about 5 km north of the city center.
County Inn & Suites, Haripur Kalan, Motichur, tel.
+91 13 52485900;.
Run by the Carlton group, this is the only international branded hotel in Haridwar and probably the best of the bunch.
The main drawback is the place, about 6 km outside the city.
Alpan Haridwar, Ram Ghat, Haridwar, tel.
+91 1334 224567,.
Clean, in the heart of the city's hotel run by Paliwal chain.
Ginger Haridwar, Opp.
Dudhadhari Temple, Bhopatwala, tel.
+91 13 34263333;.
Clean, minimalistic hotel operated by Ginger chain.
Get Out
Rishikesh - Haridwar light '26 km upriver, popular with backpackers
Haridwar, Haridwar also spelled, is a city in the state of Uttarakhand.
Understand
Haridwar, literally the Gateway to God, is one of the Hindu holy places in India and a center of Hindu religion and mysticism for centuries. Located on the banks of the River Ganges, at the point where the Ganges down from the mountains in the north Indian plains, Haridwar attracts a large number of Hindu pilgrims from all over the world.
Festivals
Haridwar is the site of many religious ceremonies. It is noteworthy that every twelve years is the venue for the Kumbh Mela, humanity's largest festival, which drew a record 70 million 2003rd The Ardha Mela, or "half mela", is held every six years. Both will be held in Haridwar for the next time 2010th
Other annual festivals include:
Baisakhi, April.
Kanwar Mela, July.
The biggest annual festival, drawing up to 300,000 visitors.
Somwati Amavasya, July.
Almost as large as the Kanwar Mela.
Kartik Purnima, held 15 days after Diwali on the first night of full moon in November.
See Haridwar city's website for a complete list. While festivals are colorful and fascinating, they also strain the city's limited infrastructure to breaking point and sometimes incomprehensible. Book your rooms and tickets early and avoid travel by road traffic congestion can be horrendous.
Come in
Haridwar is about 200 km from Delhi, capital of India and are well connected to road and rail from all parts of India.
By Air
Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport, with twice daily service to Delhi, Air Deccan, is 20 km from Haridwar.
By train
There are daily Rajdhani and Shatabdi express from Delhi and Dehradun. But buses are faster and more frequent. The train station is located on the south side of town, walking distance from most hotels but a 2 km walk to the Hari-ki-Pairi.
By Bus
Haridwar's bus station, a stone's throw from the railway station, is chaotic and has no signage whatsoever in English. This is a regular bus service from Delhi, Rishikesh and other major cities in North India to Haridwar. Although they claim that they reach New Delhi in 4-5 hours they will take at least 6-7 hours. Because of congestion on the roads leading in and out of Delhi it can even take 7-8 hours. Before booking the bus monitor the bus state. Always go to the protected and push-back seats. The long and winding ride will be taking a toll on your mood and your body.
Climate
Central Haridwar can be reasonably comfortably covered by foot. Cycle rickshaws abound, and most trips in the city should not cost more than Rs. 20th Taxis and auto rickshaws are collected at the train and bus stations.
View
Hari-ki-Pairi.
In the north of the city center, this is Haridwar's shop where supporters gather to bathe and worship the Ganges.
According to legend, this is a decrease of nectar fell from the churning of the oceans in the world was created, and a stone wall has Vishnu footprint.
Every night around 7 PM, thousands gather and worship the river Goddess, by putting diyas in the river.
You may be asked to make a donation if you take around Ghats.
Beware of con artists posing as officers.
To make a donation there are boxes in the middle of the Ghats around light poles.
Mansa Devi Mandir, atop a hill near the center of town.
Can be reached by cable car, or a way to gently winds upwards, from Railway Road.
The temple is esthetically not very remarkable, but the views are grand.
Expect to queue up to board the cable car and once again go into the temple: although some rudimentary attempts to visitors, jostling crowd supporters can make this a pretty intense experience.
Bharat Mata Mandir, 5 km north of the center.
Dedicated to Mother India, this is half temple, half a nation building exercise, with seven floors stacked with the gods, saints, and secular heroes of all Indian religions.
Some signs in English.
Chandidevi Mandir 0.8-9km from the railway station, you will combine packages to see the temples with both AC buses including bus and cable car fees
Daksh Mandir from 0.7 to 8 km from the railway station, you get rick show or you can rent a car, also near many Mandir watching kankhal.
Make
Divya Yog Trust Mandir University, 16 km from Haridvar.
Founded by Baba Ramdev.
Premnagar Ashram, 2 km from Haridvar.
Founded by Shri Satpal Maharaj Ji.
Buy
Eat
Sindh dugdh Bhandar, rly. rd. Haridwar, ☎ 320,209th A swing in this city since 1948. But well maintained and a multi-cuisine restaurant with very good service the most important one is the air-conditioned, unlike the other restaurant in town.
Haridwar is a pure vegetarian city.
Hoshiyarpuriwala, This shop is old and claim to have started in 1935.
In 7-8 minutes walk from the Hari-Ki-Pairi.
It has a variety of North Indian delicacies, but I would recommend Thaali for all.
It costs Rs.
80.00.
But its so much that it requires a special effort to complete it.
And if a grand finish a sweet dish you can not resist.
Khaao Khaao India.
Chotiwalas, Subhash Ghat.
The closest may Haridwar McDonald, serves a broad menu of south and north Indian favorites, with some Indian-Chinese thrown in. Most meals around Rs.
60th
Chotiwalas Asli, Subhash Ghat.
Claiming to be the original, unfranchised Chotiwalas, this is the first shop below steps when walking south from Hari-ki-Pairi.
The "Chotiwalas Special" is a super-filling concoction of paneer and veggies in a creamy tomato base, topped with cheese and yogurt.
Hotel Alpan, Ram Ghat.
Claiming to be new, clean, 400 meters from Hari-ki-Pairi.
The "Alpan Meal" Nice, decent place to relax
Drink
Alcohol is banned in Haridwar.
Sleep
For most of the hotel check-in time is 12 Noon. Much to Dharmshalas are also available in Haridwar.
Budget
Hotel Ganga Azure, Railway Road, +91 334-220938/9,. Small, not completely clean rooms. Hot water from 6-8 PM only, but the shower may be broken. The hotel restaurant is well liked, but no prize. Rs 700/1500.
Shri Ram Sharnam Ashram, 511-A, Sapt Sarovar Marg, Bhopatwala, tel. +919810011735,. Rooms available at nominal maintenance costs.
Nightlife
Bhaj-Govindam, near Bhimgoda Bridge, +91 1334 261682nd Charming, hut-style accommodation, with a common lawn of over-looking the River. Rs 900/1550. .
Teerth, Subhash Ghat, Hari-Ki-Pairi, tel. +91 334 225211,. Riverside living next to Hari-Ki-Pairi, the main selling point is the great river views from balconies. The rooms are air conditioning, spacious, clean. Rooms from Rs 1200th
Areas
Haveli Hari Ganga, 21 Pilibhit district House, Ram Ghat, +91,334 226443rd A comfortably appointed hotel / spa with a private Ghat and balconies with river views. Rs 2800 and up.
A group of new, modern hotels have sprung up in Bhopatwala, about 5 km north of the city center.
County Inn & Suites, Haripur Kalan, Motichur, tel.
+91 13 52485900;.
Run by the Carlton group, this is the only international branded hotel in Haridwar and probably the best of the bunch.
The main drawback is the place, about 6 km outside the city.
Alpan Haridwar, Ram Ghat, Haridwar, tel.
+91 1334 224567,.
Clean, in the heart of the city's hotel run by Paliwal chain.
Ginger Haridwar, Opp.
Dudhadhari Temple, Bhopatwala, tel.
+91 13 34263333;.
Clean, minimalistic hotel operated by Ginger chain.
Get Out
Rishikesh - Haridwar light '26 km upriver, popular with backpackers
