Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar
हर की पौड़ी
Haridwar's most sacred Ganges ghat. The sunset fire ceremony, with thousands gathering and flower lamps floating on the water, is a breathtaking sight.
Haridwar is one of India's seven holy cities, and this is where the Ganges leaves the mountains and enters the plains. Har Ki Pauri, the 'steps of Hari', is said to hold a footprint of Vishnu. Believers bathe here to wash away their sins. The daily sunset ceremony on the Ganges is far larger than the one in Rishikesh, with thousands gathering at the ghat as fire lamps and flower lamps light up the river. Entry is free. Arrive about an hour early, and be careful with your belongings and wary of people pressing you to pay for 'blessing' rituals. Haridwar is about 25 km from Rishikesh, roughly an hour by bus or taxi.
Opening hours
Open all day; fire ceremony around sunset
Nearby sights
- Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar
- Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar
- Shantikunj
- Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, Kankhal
- Rajaji National Park
- Bharat Mandir
- Triveni Ghat
- Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)