Nomad Saikat
As a religious location imagine how holy Har ki Pauri is. It is a location believed to be visited by God himself. Yes, this Ghat in Haridwar is referred to as one of the most sacred Ghats. In general, Haridwar as a city is considered the holiest city. As the name suggests already it is a Getaway to God. One of the most popular sites of pilgrimage the stories, history and myths associated makes it an even popular site. And if you are visiting Haridwar then you need to visit the Haridwar Har ki Pauri Ghat as well.
You will be totally enchanted by the beauty that this ghat offers. Also not to forget the myths associated with it that makes it more attractive. But just visiting a place is not enough. You need all the details about the location as well. Keep on reading this article as I will mention all the necessary information about Har ki Pauri here. From Dharamshala in Haridwar near Har ki Pauri with price to best hotel near Har ki Pauri, you will get all the information here. So keep on reading this article.
Har ki Pauri
Location of Har ki Pauri: Harkipodi, near Krishna Dham, Kharkhari, Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh
Timings of Har ki Pauri: Open 24 hours on all days
Entry fee of Har ki Pauri: There is no entry fee
How to reach Har ki Pauri
By air
If you are travelling by air then the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport to reach the Har ki Pauri ghat. From there you can take car or local transport to reach Har ki Pauri. The distance from the airport is about 36 km to reach the ghat. You can reach there in about 45 minutes via Haridwar-Dehradun road.
By train
While travelling by train the Haridwar Railway station is the nearest railway station. The distance from the Haridwar railway station to Har ki Pauri is about 4. 2 km. You can easily get rickshaws or shared rides to reach Har ki Pauri from the railway station in about 15 minutes.
By road
Har ki Pauri is located near the city centre. It is accessible via local transport if you are travelling within the city. Furthermore if you are travelling from nearby cities then buses are available on this route as well.
Overview of Har ki Pauri
Literally translating to the Steps of Lord Shiva the Har ki Pauri Ghat is considered as one of the most sacred ghats in Haridwar as well as in India. To seek the blessing of God and to offer prayer to Holy Ganga River thousands of devotees visit here every day. As Haridwar is known as one of the seven holiest places in India, it attracts a huge chunk of devotees. It is believed that a dip into the Ganga River here can wash away all the sins. According to popular beliefs it is one of the places where drops of Amrit or Elixir were split accidentally by the celestial bird Garuda.
Furthermore Har ki Pauri is the location where River Ganga touches the plains for the first time after originating from the Himalayas. With a number of temples on the bank of the Ghat it is one of the revered spiritual places. One of the main activities here is to offer lighted diyas to the river Ganga. It is undoubtedly one of the most blissful sights to witness the diyas floating in the water during the evening. It is believed that Lord Vishnu And lord Shiva themselves have visited this location. On a large stone it is believed that Lord Vishnu’s footprints are still seen here.
Also there are legends that believe that king Bhagirath has brought Devi Ganga on Earth from heaven. Also local legends say that this ghat is sanctified by the presence of eternal Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar.
History of Har ki Pauri
It is believed that the Har ki Pauri ghat is almost 20 centuries old. According to history it is believed that King Vikramaditya built this ghat in the loving memory of his brother Bharati. It is said that the king’s brother used to meditate on the banks of the river. The location where the aarti takes place in Har ki Pauri during morning and evening is called Brahmakund.
However there have been many constructions and the ghat has undergone several changes during the years. In 1938 the ghat was extended by a Zamindar of Agra, Hargyan Singh Katara. Furthermore in 1986 again there were some construction and renovations.
Best time to visit Har ki Pauri
As far as weather is considered the best time to visit here can be from March to June end. During winter actually the place gets really chilly. You can visit here according to your preferred weather. However, avoid the monsoon season completely. The incessant rainfall would be a mood dampener and you won’t be able to explore the place well.
Har Ki Pauri Aarti
If there can be one thing that you simply cannot miss out on here that is the ganga aarti.
Har ki Pauri aarti time: The Ganga aarti in Har ki Pauri happens twice a day. In the morning the aarti timing is from 5:30 am to 6:30 am. Again in the evening the aarti timing is from 6 pm to 7 pm.
Ganga Sabha an NGO in Haridwar is in charge of the ganga aarti in Har ki Pauri. This organization is in charge of selecting the priests who conduct the aarti. Furthermore this organization is also responsible for the management of the cleanliness of the Ghat. Here aarti is offered to the Ganga River and it is one of the attractive activities to witness here. The priests wear all white outfits and conduct the aarti. Along with huge fire bowls in hand and the chanting of mantras, the atmosphere seems divine. Furthermore the sound of bells and conch shells makes up for a mystic environment. This ceremony starts with the chanting of a Sanskrit Poem. The poem is known as Ganga Lahari written by Pandit Jagannath and then the ararti continues.
Thousands of viewers observe this ganga aarti in Har ki Pauri on a regular basis. One can sit on the opposite side of the temples to get a clear view of the aarti. Also there is an island styled ghat known as the Malviya Dweep which is a place where one can sit and witness the aarti. Around three thousand visitors attend the aarti here on a regular basis. Furthermore the number goes up during weekends and special occasions.
Festivals in Har ki Pauri
The famous Kumbh Mela is something that attracts a huge crowd here. However the festival of Kumbh Mela happens every 12 years. Furthermore it is the largest gathering of mankind for any religious purpose. Another important festival here is the Ardh Kumbh Mela that happens after every six years.
Other than that the festival of Vaishakhi is celebrated here. This is one time when a lot of devotees visit here as it is the main harvest festival that happens in April. Diwali is also a popular festival here. The whole area looks mesmerizing with the diyas and candles. Thousands of devotees also visit here to offer diyas into the holy river water. Furthermore the Chhath Puja is another important festival celebrated here with much enthusiasm.
Hotel in Haridwar near Har ki Pauri
You can find many good quality Hotels near Har ki Pauri that you can check out. From luxurious hotels to hotels near Har ki Pauri Haridwar below 1000, you can get all the options here. Some of the Haridwar hotels near Har ki Pauri that you can check out are mentioned below.
Hotel Ganpati Plaza
Address: Bhim Goda, Hiranwara, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Website: hotelganapatiplaza.com
Tariff:
- Double Bed Room Rs. 2250
- Triple Bed Room Rs. 2550
- Four Bed Room Rs. 3050
- Family Suite Rs. 5100
This hotel near Har ki Pauri is only a 15 minute walking distance from the Ghat. Located on the main road it is only 3 km away from the Haridwar Railway station.
Hotel Sunshine
Address: Near Har Ki Pauri, Moti Bajar, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Website: hotelsunshineharidwar.com
Tariff:
- Deluxe Non AC Room Rs. 1800
- Deluxe AC Room Rs. 2200
- Triple Bed Non AC Room Rs. 2500
- Super Deluxe AC Rs. 3000
- Triple Bed AC Room Rs. 3000
You can also check out these hotels in Haridwar near Har ki Pauri for a comfortable stay.
- Udman Haridwar
- Hotel Kush Ganga Heritage
- Hotel New Aditya
- Hotel Le Roi Haridwar
- One Earth Haridwar
Dharamshala near Har ki Pauri Haridwar
Other than hotels you can also check out Dharamshala near Har ki Pauri. These dharamshala in Haridwar near Har ki Pauri are a more economical option to stay in Haridwar. Some of the well known dharamshalas are mentioned below.
Pawan Dham
Address: Sapt Sarovar Road, Haridwar, Uttrakhand
Nishkam Seva Trust
Address: Nishkam Marg, Bhopatwala, Purana Rishikesh Road, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Shree Haridwar Gujarati Dharamshala
Address: Pujya Shri Chhanganbapa Amarak Bhawan, in R B Jessa Ram Marg, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Tayal Dharamshala
Address: Dudadhari Chowk, Motichur, Bhoopatwala, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Shri Jat Dharamshala Samiti
Address: Near Har ki Pauri, Upper Road, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Khukhrain Bhawan
Address: Nera Har ki Pauri, Haridwar, Utarakhand
Nearby places to visit from Har ki Pauri
- Mansa Devi Temple
- Gauri Shankar Mahadev Temple
- Chandi Devi Temple
- Udan Khatola Ropeway
- Shanti Kunj
Wrapping Up!
So next time when you are visiting Haridwar make sure you include visiting Har ki Pauri in your itinerary. Even as a sacred location or a tourist attraction this location has a lot to offer. You will be mesmerized by witnessing the beauty that this location offers. Also do not miss out on the ganga aarti in Har ki Pauri Haridwar. The aarti here is one of the things that will transport you into a different world altogether. So are you intrigued enough to visit this location already? Let me know if this article is helpful for you in planning your trip. And don’t forget to let me know when you are visiting this beautiful location
