Haridwar was once under the reign of the old dynasties like the Mauryas and the Kushana. It has also been mentioned in the texts of the Chinese traveler Hieun Tsang. Being located 314 meters higher than the sea level it is a very popular tourist destination.
Here’s a list of the best 5 places to visit in Haridwar, The Gateway to the Gods.
1. Har ki Pauri
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One of the most important places to visit in Haridwar is the Har ki Pauri literally meaning the Lord’s Footsteps. The most renowned landmark at the Ghats is the footstep print of Lord Vishnu himself. It is said to be at the exact location where the River Ganga enters the plains from mountains. The place is popular worldwide because of Kumbha Mela and the Ardha Kumbha Mela carried out here.
2. Chandi Devi Temple
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The temple is built in dedication to Chandi Devi, which is a form of the Goddess Durga. The Chandi Devi Temple is a very ancient temple in India and is visited by many of pilgrims during the Navratri and the Kumbha Mela festival. It was founded by Adi Shankaracharya, a Hindu Philosopher who lived between 700 to 820 AD.
3. Pavan Dham
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Pavan Dham is well known for its rare temple architecture along with its craftsmanship. The temple is popular for the detail oriented and adorned idols. The unique and beautifully crafted mirror with glass work is a spectacular sight to behold. The temple was made in the year 1970 by Swami Vedantanand ji Maharaj.
4. Mansa Devi Temple
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Built to pay homage to the Hindu deity Mansa Devi, Mansa Devi Temple is situated atop a hillock called as the Bilwa Parvat of the Shiwalik Range of the Himalayas. The Goddess of this temple is said to fulfil all the wishes. Her devotees ask their wishes by tying a piece of thread on the branches of the tree situated within the temple complex. Then they come back to the temple to untie it once their wish is granted.
5. Daksha Mahadev Temple
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Famous among Shiv devotees, Daksha Mahadev Temple was constructed by Queen Dhankaur in 1810 and reconstructed in 1962. The temple’s location is where Goddess Sati’s father Daksha Prajapati performed a yagna, culminating to a chain of events. The Maha Shivratri performed here is filled with festivity and sheer devotion with tonnes of devotees visiting here during this time. A very famous temple in Haridwar, this place should not be missed for all devotees coming to Haridwar.
Known as one of the 7 holiest places in India, Haridwar is a very popular pilgrim spot located in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. The origins of the city can be traced back to the ancient Hindu texts too. Being one of the 7 places where the precious droplets of the elixir of life erupted from the Samundra Manthan also called the Churning of the Seas Haridwar is truly a holy place to visit for your soul.