a couple of men standing in front of a fire

Haridwar

Haridwar is a Hindu pilgrimage town on the Ganges, known for the evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri and as a short drive from Rishikesh and the Himalayan hills.

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Haridwar is a city in Uttarakhand, in northern India, where the Ganges leaves the Himalayan foothills and enters the plains. Hindus consider it one of the holiest places on the river, and pilgrims come to bathe at its ghats. The best-known sight is Har Ki Pauri, a riverside ghat where priests perform the Ganga Aarti every evening, with lamps, bells and chanting.

One night covers the evening aarti and a walk along the river the next morning. Trains run to Haridwar Junction, the main station, and the ghats are a short auto-rickshaw ride away. Rishikesh lies a short drive north, so many travelers pair the two. Crowds rise sharply during major festivals such as the Kanwar Yatra and the Kumbh Mela, so check dates before you go. October to March is the most comfortable period for walking the ghats.

Haridwar in five

Arrive early for the Ganga AartiThe evening ceremony at Har Ki Pauri starts around sunset, which shifts through the year. Arrive about an hour early for a place on the ghat and keep valuables in a front bag.
Respect the holy-city rulesHaridwar is a pilgrimage city: many restaurants are vegetarian and alcohol is restricted in the holy areas. Dress modestly at the ghats and remove shoes at temples.
Check festival and pilgrim datesThe Kanwar Yatra in July floods the roads and fills every room. Kumbh years bring huge crowds, so check dates with Uttarakhand tourism before booking.
Ride the ropeway to Mansa DeviA ropeway climbs to the Mansa Devi temple hill for a view of the town and river. Queues grow at weekends and festivals, so go in the morning.
Pair it with RishikeshRishikesh is roughly 30 to 45 minutes north, with yoga, rafting and cafes. Stay one night here for the aarti, then continue.Rishikesh

Things to do in Haridwar

See all attractions in Haridwar

River with a yellow bridge, buildings, and green mountains

Temple · HaridwarMaa Mansa Devi Temple, niranjani akhada, HaridwarGo early in the morning or on a weekday. Weekends and festivals such as Navratri are crowded, and a weekday queue to enter can still take 10 to 30 minutes.

green tree near city buildings during daytime

Temple · HaridwarShri Maa Chandi Devi Temple, HaridwarGo on a weekday. Ropeway waits are usually 30 to 45 minutes then, and queues are longer at busier times.

a statue of a man sitting in a lotus position with a flag in front of

Sight · HaridwarLord Shiva Statue

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Need to know

Airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradun (DED), about 35–40 km; most arrive via Delhi (DEL)
Getting there: Express trains from Delhi in about 4–5 hours; buses also run
Getting around: Walking near Har Ki Pauri; autos and e-rickshaws
Best base: Near Har Ki Pauri or along the canal
Time needed: 1 night; 2 days with Rishikesh

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear6 rainy daysHigh20°Low8°Cold, fog
FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low10°Cool, mild
MarchClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low14°Pleasant
AprilClear4 rainy daysHigh34°Low19°Hot
MayClear7 rainy daysHigh37°Low23°Very hot
JuneClear11 rainy daysHigh37°Low26°Hot, humid
JulyRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low25°Kanwar, rain
AugustRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low25°Monsoon
SeptemberRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low24°Humid
OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low19°Warm, clear
NovemberClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low14°Cool, clear
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh21°Low9°Cold, fog

Average daily high and low in Haridwar, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Haridwar

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 16°
Humidity: 85%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Haridwar

03:26 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today27°16°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 27°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed26°15°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 26°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu25°14°0%Thursday: Fog. High 25°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri26°14°0%Friday: Fog. High 26°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat25°14°0%Saturday: Clear. High 25°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun25°14°0%Sunday: Clear. High 25°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Mon27°14°0%Monday: Clear. High 27°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 02:44 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR

Amount

Converted to

INR · Indian Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Rishikeshabout 30–45 min by roadYoga, riverfront cafes and white-water rafting.Read the guide
Rajaji National Parkabout 20–30 min by roadA forest reserve with elephants, with jeep safaris on its edge.
Dehradunabout 1.5 hours by roadA gateway city to Mussoorie and the hills.

Before you go to Haridwar

Hotels near Har Ki PauriWalk to the evening ceremonyCheck availability

Haridwar and Rishikesh tourGanga Aarti, temples and the rapidsCompare day trips

eSIM for UttarakhandMaps and phones in festival crowdsRead the guide

Cover for pilgrim crowds and raftingMedical cover for adventure add-onsRead the guide

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Rules for Haridwar, checked

Most foreign nationals need an Indian e-Visa or another visa before arrival. Apply on the official portal and carry the approval.Source
Take off your shoes before entering temples and ghat shrines, and cover your shoulders and knees. Ask before photographing people at prayer.
Keep soap, shampoo, plastic and rubbish out of the Ganga, which Hindus hold sacred.
Many parts of Haridwar do not sell alcohol or meat. Ask your hotel where to eat and drink before you order.
Dial 112 for police, fire and ambulance. Check the UK FCDO India page for current entry and safety advice.Source

Plan around Haridwar

Rishikesh

Yoga, rafting and cafes, half an hour north

Read the guide Uttarakhand

The Himalayan state around Haridwar

Read the guide Mussoorie

Hill station about 3–4 hours north

Read the guide Delhi

Where most trips to Haridwar begin

Read the guide All of India

Regions, seasons and routes

Read the guide India e-Visa

Apply online before flying to Delhi

Read the guide

Haridwar FAQ

How many days do you need in Haridwar?

One night covers the Ganga Aarti, a morning ghat walk and a ropeway. Add a second day for Rishikesh, which is close enough for a day trip or a night.

What time is the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri?

It happens at dusk, so the time moves with sunset through the year. Go about an hour early for a good spot and confirm the day's time at your hotel.

Is Haridwar worth visiting?

Yes if you want to see living Hindu ritual on the river. It is a pilgrimage town, not a resort, so go for the aarti and the ghats, then continue to Rishikesh.

Haridwar or Rishikesh: which should I choose?

Haridwar for the ceremony and pilgrim atmosphere, Rishikesh for yoga, rafting and cafes. Many travelers do Haridwar as one night, then settle in Rishikesh for longer.

When is the next Kumbh Mela in Haridwar?

A half-Kumbh is expected around 2027, but dates are set by the authorities. Check Uttarakhand tourism before planning, since hotels sell out and rules around entry change.