What is the Ganga Aarti in Haridwar?

The Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is a magnificent evening ritual performed every day at sunset, where priests wave large flame-lit diyas (lamps) to the Ganga amid hymns and the sound of conch shells. Thousands of flickering diyas are released on leaf-boats on the river. It is one of the most spiritually moving spectacles in India and takes place year-round, every evening.

What is the best time to visit Haridwar?

The best time to visit Haridwar is October to March when the weather is cool and pleasant. November to February are especially comfortable for temple visits, ghat walks, and the Ganga Aarti. Avoid peak summer (May–June) if heat is a concern. The Ardh Kumbh (every 6 years) and Maha Kumbh Mela (every 12 years) attract tens of millions and require early planning.

Is Rishikesh in Haridwar district?

Rishikesh is administratively spread across three districts — Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal, and Pauri Garhwal — but functions as a single cohesive destination. The main Rishikesh town and Triveni Ghat fall in Haridwar district. The ashram belt at Swargashram and Laxman Jhula falls in Tehri Garhwal, while the Rajajinational Park boundary touches Pauri Garhwal. Most tourists experience it as one seamless destination.

What is Rajaji National Park known for?

Rajaji National Park spans parts of Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal districts and is famous for its large population of Asian elephants, tigers, leopards, and over 315 bird species. The park is an important elephant corridor between the Shivalik hills and the Himalayas. Safari entry is from Chilla Range (near Haridwar) or Motichur Range and is open from November to June (closed during monsoon).

How do I reach Haridwar from Delhi by train?

Multiple daily trains run from New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, and Anand Vihar stations to Haridwar Junction. The fastest is the Haridwar Jan Shatabdi (journey time about 4.5–5 hours). Other options include the Mussoorie Express (overnight) and the Yoga Express. Booking on IRCTC is recommended, especially for weekends and the Char Dham yatra season (May–June).

Haridwar Tourism Guide

Garhwal division · headquarters Haridwar · 2,360 km² · 1 place to visit

Division: Garhwal
Headquarters: Haridwar
Area: 2,360 km²
Places to visit: 1

Haridwar is Uttarakhand's most visited district and one of the seven holiest cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism. Located where the Ganga descends from the Himalayan foothills onto the plains, Haridwar — meaning "Gateway to God" — draws over 30 million visitors a year. Haridwar tourism centres on the sacred ghats along the Ganga, especially Har Ki Pauri, where the evening Ganga Aarti is among the most transcendent rituals in India. Every 12 years the city hosts the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's largest human gathering.

The district's northern fringe merges with Rishikesh, which, while administratively split between Haridwar and Tehri/Pauri Garhwal, functions as a unified spiritual and adventure hub. Rishikesh is the declared "Yoga Capital of the World," home to dozens of ashrams along the Ganga, the iconic Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula suspension bridges, and the launch point for white-water rafting on the Ganga — one of India's most popular adventure activities. The river stretches through Haridwar district also see excellent bird watching, with the Rajaji National Park forming the district's eastern boundary.

Places to visit in Haridwar extend beyond the riverbank to Chandi Devi temple (reachable by cable car or trek) and Mansa Devi temple on Bilwa Parvat. The Daksha Mahadev temple at Kankhal and the Sapt Rishi Ashram are popular spiritual halts. For those exploring the Uttarakhand travel circuit, Haridwar is almost always the first or last stop — the gateway through which millions enter the sacred geography of the mountains above.

Where to go

Places to visit in Haridwar

Best season: Year round. Every destination page has altitude and drive time from Dehradun.

Har Ki Pauri ghat and clock tower on the Ganga at Haridwar

Pilgrimage

HaridwarWhere the Ganga leaves the mountains — Har Ki Pauri's evening aarti and the Char Dham gateway.

Altitude: 314 m
Season: Year round
From DDN: ~55 km

When to go

Best time to visit Haridwar

Winter / Autumn (October to February)

The most comfortable season for visiting Haridwar. Cool, dry weather (8–22°C) makes ghats, temples, and the Ganga Aarti especially atmospheric. Yoga retreats and ashram programmes are popular in winter. January can be foggy but remains manageable.

Summer / Spring (March to May)

The Char Dham yatra season begins and Haridwar is the launching point for millions of pilgrims. Temperatures rise (25–40°C) but the Ganga remains refreshingly cold. March and April are ideal before peak summer heat.

Monsoon (June to September)

The Ganga swells significantly during monsoon and Har Ki Pauri can be partially submerged during high-flood years. Bathing on the ghats requires caution. Humidity is high. The Kumbh Mela, when it occurs, takes place in January–February (not monsoon).

Trips we run

Packages through Haridwar

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Char Dham Yatra12 Days / 11 Nights₹42,999per personView details Do Dham Yatra7 Days / 6 Nights₹24,999per personView details

Getting there

How to reach Haridwar

By Road

Haridwar is 210 km from Delhi via NH-58. The journey takes 5–6 hours by car. AC Volvo buses run overnight from Delhi ISBT (Kashmere Gate) to Haridwar Bus Stand, operated by multiple state and private carriers. Rishikesh is 25 km north of Haridwar. Auto-rickshaws and shared tempos connect the two towns frequently.

By Train

Haridwar Junction is one of the busiest railway stations in Uttarakhand, with direct trains from Delhi (Haridwar–New Delhi Shatabdi, 4.5 hours), Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and most major cities. Rishikesh Railway Station (14 km from the main market) is a smaller terminal with select services from Delhi.

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun is 45 km from Haridwar (about 1 hour by taxi). Daily flights connect Dehradun to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, 210 km away, is an alternative for travellers with connecting flights from other countries.

Read

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Common questions

Haridwar FAQ

What is the Ganga Aarti in Haridwar?: The Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is a magnificent evening ritual performed every day at sunset, where priests wave large flame-lit diyas (lamps) to the Ganga amid hymns and the sound of conch shells. Thousands of flickering diyas are released on leaf-boats on the river. It is one of the most spiritually moving spectacles in India and takes place year-round, every evening.
What is the best time to visit Haridwar?: The best time to visit Haridwar is October to March when the weather is cool and pleasant. November to February are especially comfortable for temple visits, ghat walks, and the Ganga Aarti. Avoid peak summer (May–June) if heat is a concern. The Ardh Kumbh (every 6 years) and Maha Kumbh Mela (every 12 years) attract tens of millions and require early planning.
Is Rishikesh in Haridwar district?: Rishikesh is administratively spread across three districts — Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal, and Pauri Garhwal — but functions as a single cohesive destination. The main Rishikesh town and Triveni Ghat fall in Haridwar district. The ashram belt at Swargashram and Laxman Jhula falls in Tehri Garhwal, while the Rajajinational Park boundary touches Pauri Garhwal. Most tourists experience it as one seamless destination.
What is Rajaji National Park known for?: Rajaji National Park spans parts of Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal districts and is famous for its large population of Asian elephants, tigers, leopards, and over 315 bird species. The park is an important elephant corridor between the Shivalik hills and the Himalayas. Safari entry is from Chilla Range (near Haridwar) or Motichur Range and is open from November to June (closed during monsoon).
How do I reach Haridwar from Delhi by train?: Multiple daily trains run from New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, and Anand Vihar stations to Haridwar Junction. The fastest is the Haridwar Jan Shatabdi (journey time about 4.5–5 hours). Other options include the Mussoorie Express (overnight) and the Yoga Express. Booking on IRCTC is recommended, especially for weekends and the Char Dham yatra season (May–June).

Planning a Haridwar trip

We are a Dehradun operator, so Haridwar is a drive we make rather than a listing we resell. Tell us the month and the number of travellers and we will tell you what is open, what is not, and what it costs.

Phone: +91-977-976-6740
Email: booking@travelmybharat.com