Haridwar

Haridwar — literally "Gateway to God" in Sanskrit — is one of the seven holiest cities in Hinduism and the most accessible of all Indian pilgrimage sites. Situated where the Ganga emerges from the Shivalik Hills onto the plains of the Gangetic basin at just 314 metres above sea level, Haridwar has been a sacred crossing point for pilgrims for thousands of years. Every 12 years it hosts the Kumbh Mela — the world's largest human gathering, drawing over 100 million people.

The spiritual heart of Haridwar is Har Ki Pauri (Steps of God) — a sacred ghat where Lord Vishnu is believed to have left his footprint in stone. Every evening at sunset, the entire ghat transforms as thousands of brass oil lamps are floated on the Ganga's current in one of the most breathtaking religious ceremonies in the world. The Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is a profoundly moving spectacle of fire, sound, and devotion that draws visitors from every country.

Beyond the ghats, Haridwar's ancient temples, bustling bazaars selling everything from marigold garlands to Ayurvedic medicines, and its role as the staging post for the Char Dham Yatra make it an essential stop on any Uttarakhand itinerary. The Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi temples perched on hilltops above the city offer cable car rides and panoramic views of the holy city and the Ganga below.