Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar, Uttarakhand India

Har Ki Pauri on the banks of the holy river Ganges serves as a major landmark in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Also known as Brahmakund, Har Ki Pauri is believed to be the exit point of the river Ganga from the mountains into the plains.

Har Ki Pauri ghat was created by King Vikramaditya in 1st century BC in the memory of his brother Bhatrihari who during his lifetime used to meditate on the banks of river Ganga. Millions of pilgrims throng this ghat to take a dip in the sacred river. Har ki pauri is also the area where thousands of pilgrims assemble to begin the festivities during the Kumbha Mela.

The Ganga Aarti (prayer) that takes place at Har Ki Pauri every evening after sunset is popular amongst pilgrims and tourists all over the world. The priests perform the Ganga Aarti at the ghat amidst thousands of devotees. People gather on both sides of the banks of the river to sing its praises. The priest stand on the ghat holding large fire bowls and the gongs in the temples start ringing. The air is filled with the fragrance of incense, sounds of various gongs/bells and the chants sung together by the priests and a large number of people present there.

One of the holiest sites in Haridwar, Har Ki Pauri attracts millions of Hindu devotees from almost every corner of the globe. It is the place where most of saints head to when they want to attain nirvana (the state of eternal happiness). Located in the foot of the Garhwal Himalayas, Har Ki Pauri remains packed with devotees and tourists all round the year. However, the glory of this holy temple as well as a revered Ganga Ghat is at its height during the Kumbh Mela season in the holy town of Haridwar.

The Har Ki Pauri temple carries even more significance, because it preserves the footprints of Lord Shiva even to this day. The scene at the Ganges ghats can itself stir your soul and immerse you in the ocean of devotion. The entire ghat remains lined with saints, rishihs and pilgrims.

Devotees float earthen diyas with flowers in the holy river while chanting prayers. Witnessing the golden orange shades of floral diyas reflected in the Ganga River at night is a breathtaking spectacle. Spend an evening at Har Ki Pauri and be a part of an experience that will be etched in your mind and soul for a lifetime.

The best time to visit Har Ki Pauri is during the summer months March till June, when the days get hot and the nights are pleasant. The best way to cool off is by taking a dip in the holy Ganges. The winter months between October and February tend to get chilly and are not advisable to take a dip in the chilly waters of the river.

Brahamakund later came to be known as Har-Ki-Pauri Ghat, and today this Ghat in Haridwar witnesses the religious frenzy of Hinduism regularly.

Lord Vishnu is believed to have ascended first in the world in Har-Ki-Pauri from which the Ghat gets its name. The foot marks of Vishnu are worshiped on the banks of the Ganges in a temple that has become the most important landmark of Haridwar. Every evening, after sun down, a spectacular Arati or chanting fills the air when thousands congregate on the Ghat to share the soul touching experience. People float earthen lamps with flowers in the Ganges and the water shimmers with the reflection of the golden flames.

Har-Ki-Pauri Ghat in Haridwar also serves as the venue for the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar when millions of people take holy bath in the Ganges to attain salvation. This is, truly, one of the must visits in Haridwar and no tourists ever miss the Har-Ki-Pauri on his trip.