Har Ki Pauri Haridwar - Most Popular Religious Tourist Place to Visit in Haridwar City

Har Ki Pauri Haridwar Uttarakhand

Har ki Pauri is one of the very famous Hindu religious and tourist places in Haridwar. Har ki Pauri is the most visited site for Ganga Aarti in Haridwar.

It is actually a famous Ganga ghat on the banks of the holy Ganges River in Haridwar in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Literally, the meaning of Har is Lord Vishnu and Pauri mean steps. So Har ki Pauri meaning is the steps of Lord Vishnu or Vishnu Charan Paduka.

It is the point where the Holy Ganges enters plains from the Mountains. Till Rishikesh, we consider the Ganga flows in a Gangotri glacier mountain area but from the Har ki Pauri in Haridwar, the Ganga flows in the plains of North India. 

Actually, the Har Ki Pauri ghat is situated on the west bank of the Ganga River and Ganga turn here in the north direction. The flow of the Ganga River is from the West to the North direction at Haridwar.

Har Ki Pauri History

As per records, Bhartrihari was the King of Malwa. Later Bhartrihari renounced the kingdom and went to Haridwar where he had meditated on the banks of the holy river Ganga for several years. 

After Bhartrihari his brother Vikramaditya took over the Malwa kingdom. When the Bhartrihari death in Haridwar, King Vikramaditya built Har Ki Pauri in the 1st century BC in the memory of his brother.

Most of the temples here were built in the 19th century and the extension of Ghats at Har Ki Pauri in 1938 by a Zamindar, Pandit Hargyaan Singh Katara who was from Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Later extensin of ghats was in 1986 by government and Har ki Pauri Samiti.

Har Ki Pauri Mythologies

In the mythology of Har ki Pauri, it is said that Lord Shree Vishnu came to this place and his feet symbol were at this place. Hence it was named Hari Ki Pauri. Which we know by the name of Har ki Pauri popularly.

According to mythology, King Svet did severe penance of Lord Brahma at Har Ki Pauri. Being pleased with this, Brahma Ji asked him to ask for a boon. Then King Svet asked for a boon from him to make Har ki Pauri known as Brahmkund. Since that time, the water of Har Ki Pauri is known as Brahma Kund.

According to Hindu religious beliefs, after churning the ocean, Devashilpi Vishwakarma was taking away the urn of nectar, which the gods and demons were quarreling to get. Then a few drops of nectar fell from the urn on the Earth and those places were Haridwar, Ujjain, Nasik, and Prayag (Allahabad), which became places of religious importance.

The drops of nectar also fell in Haridwar and the place where they fell was "Har ki Pauri". The fight between gods and demons lasted until 12 years. That's why every 12 years Kumbh Mela is organized at these places. Bathing here is the most ardent desire of every Hindu who has come to Haridwar because it is believed that bathing in Har Ki Pauri leads to salvation.

Another of the many myths related to Hari Ki Paudi is that Lord Vishnu and Shiva appeared here during Vedic times. Other myths say that the Hindu god Brahma, who is also called the creator of the universe, performed a Yagya here. There are also footprints on the ghat, which are said to be of Lord Vishnu.

Hindus Religious Rituals at Har ki Pauri Ghat Haridwar

Devotees takes holy dip at Har Ki Pauri

Haridwar is the Centre of Spiritual India. As per Hindu mythologies, it is believed that once a dip in 'Har ki Pauri' eradicates all the sins of a person. Throughout the year at Hari Ki Paudi Hindus come here to fulfill their religious rituals such as Mundan, Upanayana, Asthi Visarjan, Pind Daan, and Shraddha of ancestors.

Fairs at Har Ki Pauri Haridwar

Har Ki Pauri is at the top of the five holy places in Haridwar. It is always busy on different occasions throughout the year. There are many festivals and fairs organized during the year such as Kumbh Mela, Ardh Kumbh Mela, Kaanwar Yatra, Magh Mela, and Vaishakhi. Kumbh Mela at Har Ki Pauri Haridwar will be organized from 11 March to 27 April in the year 2021.

Har Ki Pauri Timing

It opens daily for 24 hours. There is no opening and closing time, you can go there any time. Devotees and solo travelers also spend a whole day without fear here.

Visiting Time Period for Har Ki Pauri

• It depends on only you for what purpose you come here. If you just want to take a holy dip in the Maa Ganga River at Har Ki Pauri Ghat then one hour is sufficient.
• If you also want to see the world-famous Har Ki Pauri Ganga Aarti of Haridwar then you have to give time from 04:00 pm to 07:00 pm in the evening.
• If you want to visit all the famous temples near Hari Ki Paudi Haridwar then I will suggest to you, you plan for a full-day tour here.

Best Time to Visit Har Ki Pauri Ghat

• Har Ki Pauri's best time to visit will be in the evening after 3 pm if you just want to go here for a holy dip and see Ganga Aarti in the evening.
• Hari Ki Paudi can be visited at any time of year. But the best season as per the environment will be March to June. During the rainy season, there is less crowd and I would not suggest going that time. From September to October also good to go to Har Ki Pauri.
• The best time is any Hindu festival and fairs like Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh.
• If you want to go to Har Ki Pauri when there is less crowded then you have to avoid the weekends, festivals, and holidays.
• During Chardham yatra and Kanwar yatra you can see a low crowd than average.

Har Ki Pauri Ganga Aarti

Ganga Aarti Har Ki Pauri Haridwar

Aarti of Gods and Goddesses in the Hindu religion is of great importance. In the morning Aarti in Brahma Muhurta, the Gods and Goddesses are greeted by bathing, etc., after adornment. In the evening Aarti, they are given rest by offering Prasad to the deities.

Hari Ki Paudi is most popular due to Ganga Aarti in the evening time. Har Ki Pauri Ganga Maha Aarti starts after sunset in the evening daily. Ganga Arti of Har Ki Pauri is very grand and spectacular. In which group of Priests, Brahmins, and devotees performing together. 

They hold many lamps in their hand and speaking holy mantras to Maa Ganga, God Sun, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. Every evening thousands of Maa Ganga devotees come here to see the Aarti. Ganga Aarti is performed by thousands of burning lamps.

Devotees also flow the thousands of burning earthen lamps in the Ganga flowing water at Har Ki Pauri. The lights of all lamps of Aarti and flowing earthen lamps in the river make the scene so amazing. 

The sound of Maa Ganga Aarti and the mantra make the situation fully supernatural. Har Ki Pauri and Ganga water completely fill with lights at the Ganga Aarti time.

Har ki Pauri Aarti Timing

Morning Ganga Aarti starts on time Sunrise time near 05: 00 am during summer and in winter it would be at 07:00 am. 

In the evening Ganga Aarti starts at sunset near 05:30 pm in winter and in summer it would be 07:00 pm. Ganga Aarti time is not exactly fixed it can change as per sunset and sunrise.

Har Ki Pauri Ganga Aarti is performed here both in the morning and in the evening. But the Ganga Aarti of evening time is more famous than morning time. Now the devotees can see the morning time Ganga Aarti on the LED also.

The World famous Har ki Pauri Ganga Aarti in Haridwar has now become nearly two and a half hours long. Prior to the main Ganga Aarti, programs of the Ganga oath along with the Bhajan Sandhya are being completed. 

Bhajan in the evening starts at 4 pm in Har ki Pauri. An hour later, the Bhajan Sandhya and the Ganga Chanting begin. Immediately, an oath is taken to protect the Ganga River from the pilgrims who come soon after.

The entire program is being broadcast for about two and a half hours from Bhajan Sandhya to Aarti through sound amplifier devices up to Shatabdi Bridge and Kushavart Ghat. Aarti will now be broadcast live on both these LEDs installed here. 

The aim is that the devotees who are unable to see the Aarti on Brahma Kund at Har Ki Pauri can also see the Aarti on the LED.

Facilities at Har Ki Pauri Ghat for Devotees

Hari Ki Paudi Haridwar has every facility for devotees and tourists.

• There are washrooms for ladies and gents.
• Dress changing rooms are available there for ladies and gents.
• Drinking water is available.
• There are different types of shops available for shopping.
• There are lots of local food shops for food and snacks.
• There is a big parking space available for tourists and devotees.

How to Reach Har Ki Pauri 

Haridwar is a very holy place for all Hindus for religious and spiritual activities. So Haridwar not only attracts the Indian Hindus, but it also attracts all over the world Hindus. Many foreigners come here to learn and see Hinduism in India.

So Haridwar is well connected to the airway, railway, and roadways. You can get easily a train for Haridwar from anywhere in India. Hari Ki Paudi is the main area of Haridwar so if you ask anyone in Haridwar the address of Har Ki Pauri then anyone can guide you easily. It is situated near Krishna Dham, Kharkhari in Haridwar.

By Air: To date, there is no National or International Airport in the Haridwar. So the nearest National Airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is about 45 km away from Haridwar.

By Train: Haridwar railway station is well developed and connected to all major cities in India. The Har Ki Pauri distance from Haridwar railway station is only 1 km. You can easily reach Har Ki Pauri by foot in 10 minutes only.

By Bus: Haridwar is also well connected from nearby cities and states by roadways bus and private buses. The Har Ki Pauri distance from Haridwar ISBT Bus stand is only 2 km and you have to just follow the straight road and you will reach Hari ki Paudi. You can take local Rickshaw, e-Rickshaw, auto, etc they can take only 10 ₹ from you.

Dispute of Har Ki Pauri Ganga Mandir or King Maan Singh Ki Chhatri

Ganga Mandir Har Ki Pauri Haridwar Dispute

I visited many times Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar since childhood but never get knows why the Ganga temple looks so bad and why people don't renovate it. It looks like a black spot in the beauty of Har Ki Pauri. Then I searched on found some details so I would like to share it with you.

Raja Man Singh who was popularly known as Man Singh Pratham was the Rajputana King of Amer. He was a famous Navratra of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Raja Man Singh was the very devotee of Lord Krishna. He made lots of Ghats and temples at their time in India. He also built the Ghats of Haridwar at their time.

It is believed that the famous Ganga temple was actually a Chhatri of Raja Maan Singh was built by them. The Ganga temple had the main idol of Maa Ganga and idols of Lord Sri Ram, Mata Sita, Laxman Ji, Lord Hanuman, Radha Krishna Ji was installed.

The issue raised during Kumbh Mela in 1998 when some renovation work started at Ganga Temple. The Ganga Temple's main structure was the change from the older one. Ganga Temple issue filed in Allahabad high court in 1998.

After 21 years of the case in court, Nainital high court gives the final decision in the year 2019 to renovate the Ganga Mandir or King Maan Singh Ki Chhatri to its original form.

We hope the Ganga Mandir will be restored in its original form before the Kumbh Mela 2021 in Haridwar and increases the beauty of Har Ki Pauri Haridwar.

Where to stay at Har Ki Pauri

Staying in Haridwar is not a big issue. There are lots of good hotels near the Har Ki Pauri and also many Dharamshalas. Dharamshala near Har Ki Pauri is Parmarth Ashram, Derawal Bhavan, Shree Vasudev Ashram, Ekta Bhawan, etc.

Things to do at Har Ki Pauri Haridwar

• For the tourists or devotees here many things to do here.
• Devotees can take a holy bath in Har Ki Pari at Brahmakund.
• You can participate in the Ganga Aarti in the evening time and see the amazing scene.
• You can do the shopping for religious items near the Har Ki Pauri market.
• You can do meditation in Haridwar also because Haridwar has many Yoga centers that are globally famous.

Temples near Har ki Pauri to Visit

The famous temples near Har Ki Pauri are Ganga Mata temple, Mansa Devi temple, Chandi Devi temple, Shri Pataleshwar Mahadev Mandir, Maya Devi temple, Haricharan mandir, Bharat Mata temple, etc.

TouristBug’s Recommendations for Har Ki Pauri

• Due to the crowd during the Ganga Aarti time hundreds of devotees not able to see the Ganga Aarti properly so you can go to another side of Har Ki Pauri at Har ki Gauri Ghat where you can see the Ganga Aarti properly.
• Everyone takes the Maa Ganga River water from here in water bottles or in cans for religious activities. I will also recommend you can also carry Maa Ganga water from Har Ki Pauri because here quality of Ganga water is better than other places.
• Hindu devotees reach Haridwar in Morning and take bath then the go-to visit Maa Mansha Devi temple. After returning from the temple they wait here to see Ganga Aarti in the evening. So it is best for to you plan accordingly when you come here.
• I would recommend using the iron chains that are tied near Ganga ghats for the devotees. The flow of Ganga water is not high but it would be good to use it if you go for taking a holy dip in the water.
• For photography, there are many good locations where you can take beautiful and stunning images. If you stay till evening you must take photos during Ganga Aarti time it will be very memorable for you.
• Don't use soap and shampoo during a bath in the holy river Ganga.

Nearby Places to Visit from Haridwar

Rishikesh and Dehradun are the nearby places to visit from Haridwar. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Ganga Aarti, Ram Jhula, and Laxman Jhula are famous places to visit in Rishikesh. Tapkeshwar Temple, FRI, Robbers Cave, Buddha Temple, Lacchiwala, and Sahasdhara are the most popular places to visit.