Ganga River in Haridwar

The Ganga River in India holds a special place in the Indian culture, as well as in the hearts of its people. This majestic river is not only among the world’s longest but also has religious and cultural sentiments attached to it.

Thousands of visitors every year get an Indian e-Tourist Visa to visit Haridwar, one of the most sacred places that the Ganga river passes through. But why is it so special?

Ganga acts as the lifeline for many Indian cities, and it is due to these reasons that its path and banks are respected and celebrated throughout. And Haridwar is famous for more than just that.

Let’s find out why.

History of Haridwar

The name Haridwar simplifies to “The Gateway to Lord Vishnu”. If you’re unfamiliar, Lord Vishnu is one of the most revered Hindu Gods.

As per the Hindu culture, Haridwar was one of the places where a droplet of the elixir of immortality fell during the fight between Demons and Gods. The other such places are Nasik, Ujjain and Allahabad.

Thereby, the city itself and the Ganga bathing ghats have been places of religious and spiritual significance since ancient times. There are mentions of the city in several Hindu texts and manuscripts, while travellers like Huang Tsang have also mentioned it in their texts.

In the real world, the journey toward Badrinath, one of the most famous temples of Lord Vishnu, starts in Haridwar.

Where is Haridwar Located?

Haridwar is located in the southeastern part of Uttarakhand, an Indian state. It lies at a distance of around 210 KM from India’s capital city Delhi, and there are various modes of transportation available for tourists on the Indian e-tourist Visa.

For example, there is road connectivity, railway and as the nearest airport is just about 20 KMs away, one can travel on-air as well.       

Speciality of Haridwar

The sacred Ganga river enters the Indo-Gangetic plane in Haridwar, and the Ganga bathing ghats are among the top attractions. Haridwar is one of the cities with major religious importance that are located on the banks of Ganga.

Tourists and travellers on Indian tourist visas are allured by the Ganga, and so they often cover other spots like Hrishikesh, Gangotri and Varanasi on their trip.

Ganga Ghats

There are several Ganga ghats in Haridwar, and the major of them are:

• Har ki Pauri
• Asthi Parvath Ghat
• Subhash Ghat
• Gau Ghat

It is believed that a bath in Ganga washes away one’s sins of mortal life, and hence it has a special place in Hindu culture. These ghats allow tourists easy access to the Ganga River where they too can take a bath.

Also, some of the ghats are for performing funeral rites, and the ashes after cremation are offered to the river.

Ganga Aarti

If you’ve got a Hindu friend or family member or have ever witnessed them, then you may know that their way of worshipping involves an “Aarti”. The person performing an Aarti chants prayers, while moving their hand in a rhythmic pattern holding a Deepak.

The same happens at Haridwar, only in a humongous and grand manner. The fragrance of incense sticks and the display of flowers, elevate the surroundings.

Several priests perform Aartis twice a day, and witnessing the emotions and passion of the crowd that gathers is an experience you may not want to miss.

Kumbh Mela

India is known for its “melas” or fairs that take place on both small and large scales. The Maha Kumbh Mela in Haridwar is one of the later ones and is one of the grandest fairs in the world, that tourists visiting India (on the time when it occurs) can enjoy.

Other Tourist Attractions

Haridwar also offers other things such as Hindu Temples, museums, a wildlife sanctuary and more to travel enthusiasts and people interested in the Hindu culture.

Almost each of these has a history and story of its own, which certainly increases one’s curiosity to know more and more about the city.

Apply for an Indian e-Tourist Visa To Visit Haridwar 

If India is on your tourism bucket list, this is a great time for you to make the trip happen. Apply for an Indian Tourist Visa from our website, and get it on your email within 7 days.