One of the Tourist places in Haridwar is Har ki Pauri which basically means footsteps of the Lord. It is the holy ghat where river Ganges touches the plains after winding its ways through the Himalayan ranges. Visitors flock along this pious ghat around dawn to take a holy dip. during the Ganga Aarati.
It is mesmerising to watch the whole ghat getting illuminated by the shimmering lights of the three-tiered lamps of fire in the hands of the priests . Additionally, devotees float thousands of diyas on the surface of the water giving the river Ganges an ethereal aura of beauty. A prime attraction during the day time is a footprint imprinted on a wall which is believed to belong to Lord Vishnu.
Mansa Devi Temple, also known as Bilwa Tirth is one of the Panch Tirth (Five Pilgrimages) is within Haridwar. It is a Tourist attraction in Haridwar which is a Hindu temple dedicated to Mansa Devi, goddess of Snake.
The temple is located at the top of Biswas Parvat on the Shivalik Hills which is a part of the southernmost range of Himalaya. Visitors can reach the temple either by 3km steep trek or by cable car which is also known as Mansa Devi Udankhatola. The temple has two statues of Mansa Devi - one with three mouths and five arms and another with eight arms.
If you are under the impression that Haridwar holds nothing for tourists other than religion and culture, this place is like a breath of fresh air to make things all the more exciting for you. A treat for all wildlife lovers in Haridwar, Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary is home to an impressive range of animals and birds.
Among the major wildlife species you can expect to witness here are elephant, tiger, leopard, and bear. Located on the banks of river Ganges, this wildlife zone sprawls across an area of 249 sq. km, and was established in 1977. So, if you are looking to taste some thrill on your Haridwar trip, Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary offers ample opportunities.
One of the shaktipeeth at the top of Neel Parvat is Chandi Devi Temple, dedicated to Chandika Devi, who was born out of the energy of Devi Durga to kill the demon king's Shumbha-Nishumbha.
Worshippers visiting this place can opt for a 3km adventurous trek to the hilltop while experiencing beautiful sights punctuated by monkeys around the place. The other, more comfortable, way of traveling is by the Udankhatola, the ropeway service. Few worshippers can also take trolley service which plies along the way.
Saptarishi( the Seven Sages) Ashram derived its name from the Hindu mythology as per which seven great sages Vashishth, Kashyap, Atri, Vishwamitra, Gautam, Bharadwaja, and Jamadagni met in this place to meditate. Located on the bank of river Ganges, the place is also the point from which river Ganges splits into seven different streams, known as sapto sarovars.
There are 5 statues on the banks of the river for the Pandavas. The place is an abode for Hindu saints and sages who reside, mediate and also research worldly and divine dynamics and practice religious rituals. Apart from being one of the Tourist places in Haridwar, the ashram also is a place for students who reside and learn from the saints.
The Vaishno Devi Temple in Haridwar is a replica of the original temple situated in Katra, Jammu. The temple is dedicated to Maa Vaishno Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Laxmi. To maintain the beauty of the original temple, this temple also has man-made caves through which visitors have to crawl to reach the heart of the temple.
Apart from the idol of Maa Vaishno Devi, the temple also has the idols of Goddess Kali and Goddess Saraswati along with 12 Jyotirlingas which are replicas of Lord Shiva.
Vishnu Ghat is one of the tranquil treats of Haridwar where Visitors can soak themselves in the spirituality of this town. Provisions have been kept for a holy dip in the revered Ganges River in the early morning. During the evening, visitors can enjoy the divine aura of the place which also surrounds this city in its very spirit.
The legend says that Lord Vishnu had taken a dip in the heavenly River Ganges at this ghat giving it its name. Many devotees believe that going for a holy dip takes away one’s sins here. The ghat has been wonderfully designed with safety cautions and cleanliness keeping in mind the health and safety of the visitors.
Ram Jhula is an iron suspension bridge across the river Ganges, located 3 kilometres north-east from the town Rishikesh. The bridge connects the connects Shivanad Ashram (towards the east bank) and Swargashram (towards the west bank).
Previously it was a hanging jute ropeway, however, in 1980; a permanent iron suspension bridge was made by PWD, with the help of Shivananda Ashram. Often crowded with saints, sages and devotees, the Ram Jhula is also famed for attractions like Parmarth Niketan, Geeta Bhawan, Swargashram, Yog Niketan, Beatles Ashram, etc.
The bridge is made up of iron and it is almost 450 feet long, which is suspended at an elevation of almost 70 feet above the river. It is a suspension bridge that connects Tehri and Pauri districts of Uttarakhand.
The Lakshman Jhula is believed was made by the Lord Lakshman “The brother of Lord Rama” by using his bow and arrow in order to cross the mighty river Ganga Lakshman Jhula has been one of the centres for tourist attraction since its inception for its amazing association of the Hindu Mythology.
Triveni Ghat is among the most magnetic places to visit in Rishikesh famous for the Ganga Aarti. Triveni words comes from join of two words Tri (three) and Veni (confluence) meaning confluence of three The confluence point of three of the most sacred rivers in Hindu mythology: Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi, this is the most pious among all the other ghats within the vicinity.
The Ghat is also considered as the cremation place of Lord Krishna. Every Ghat which marks the meeting of rivers holds importance in their own right. It is one of the biggest and must visit ghat of Rishikesh known for its auspicious and spiritual aroma.
It is one of the top yoga centers in India and the biggest ashram in the area which is situated on the banks of the holy Ganges River. It has now blossomed over 70 years of its existence into the largest ashram in Rishikesh It was founded in 1942 by Swami Shukdevanand Saraswati.
Ashram is famous for its Hawan on the Ghat of Parmarth and Ganga Aarti that takes place daily in the morning and evening. The ashram also runs a school, which follows the traditional and cultural Indian Patterns. Number of visitors visits the ashram at the time of the International Yoga Festival Many travelers visit for Ayurvedic treatments which includes exercises, music therapy, healthy diets and yoga to name a few. The ashram also provides the travelers with accommodation facilities. Parmarth Niketan located at Swargashram in Rishikesh.
Geeta Bhawan is a large complex located at the banks of holy river Ganga in Swargashram, Rishikesh. The huge complex of Geeta Bhawan has several discourse halls and over 1000 rooms for the comfortable stay of devotees free of cost. Geeta Bhawan is a major place for devotees from far away places as they get free stay during their holy dip in river Ganga with listening to discourses and meditation.
Gita Bhawan is one of the biggest and famous spiritual destinations in Rishikesh. Gita Bhawan is a sister organisation of Gita Press. Gita Press is an outstanding distribution house for Hindu Religious Books. Satsangs are sorted out frequently at Gita Bhawan.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a sacred and famous temple located at 32 km from Rishikesh. Scenically situated on a hill at a height of 1330 mtrs, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a one of the most popular temples of Lord Shiva. A famous pilgrimage near Rishikesh, the temple lies above Swargashram adjacent to Nar Narayan mountain range.
Neelkantha Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh that is revered by the tourists from all over the world and is one of the most visited pilgrimage site since ages. The temple is open throughout the year for the pilgrims. Visit the temple during the festival of Shivaratri to be a part of the eye-dazzling celebrations that would leave you spellbound.