Har Ki Pauri : Haridwar

India is a land of diverse religions, cultures, and traditions, and therefore it is a popular destination for pilgrimages. There are numerous pilgrimage sites in India, each of which is associated with a different religion, and attracts millions of pilgrims from around the world. Here are some of the popular pilgrimage destinations in India:

Haridwar - Click here and Watch

Haridwar is a highly revered pilgrimage site located in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas, where the River Ganges enters the Gangetic Plains. Haridwar is considered one of the seven holiest places in Hinduism, and it attracts millions of devotees from all over the world every year.

The main attraction of Haridwar is the Har Ki Pauri ghat, which is a sacred bathing ghat located on the banks of the River Ganges. It is believed that taking a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges at this ghat can cleanse a person of all sins and lead to salvation.

• Har Ki Pauri: This is a holy ghat on the banks of the Ganges river and is considered to be the most sacred spot in Haridwar. It is believed that Lord Vishnu left his footprint on a stone here.
• Haridwar is also famous for its Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years and attracts millions of pilgrims from around the world. During this festival, devotees take a dip in the holy waters of Ganga and believed that the river Ganges to purify their souls and attain salvation. Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places in Hinduism and is known for its temples and ghats. Here are some of the popular temples in Haridwar:
• Chandi Devi Temple: This temple is located atop the Neel Parvat and is dedicated to Goddess Chandi, who is believed to have killed the demon Chanda-Munda. It is believed that the temple was built in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya.
• Mansa Devi Temple: This temple is located atop the Bilwa Parvat and is dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, who is believed to fulfill the wishes of her devotees. The temple can be reached by a cable car.
• Maya Devi Temple: This temple is dedicated to Goddess Maya, who is believed to be the incarnation of Goddess Shakti. It is believed that the heart and navel of Goddess Sati fell here.
• Daksha Mahadev Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be the site where Lord Shiva's father-in-law, Daksha Prajapati, performed a yajna.
• Bharat Mata Mandir: This temple is dedicated to Mother India and is a unique temple that has a relief map of India carved out of marble.
• Overall, Haridwar is a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus and is considered a gateway to the Himalayas. It offers a unique spiritual and cultural experience to visitors and is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring India's rich cultural heritage.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh - Tera Manzil Temple

Rishikesh is a sacred city located in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is considered one of the holiest places in India and is known as the "Yoga Capital of the World" and the "Gateway to the Himalayas." Rishikesh is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas, on the banks of the holy River Ganges.

Rishikesh is a popular destination for pilgrims seeking spiritual enlightenment and is home to several ancient temples and ashrams. Some of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Rishikesh include:

• Triveni Ghat is a popular bathing ghat located in Rishikesh, a holy city situated in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India. It is situated on the banks of the River Ganges and is believed to be one of the most sacred spots for Hindus.
• The name Triveni Ghat is derived from the confluence of three sacred rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. According to Hindu mythology, a dip in the waters of Triveni Ghat can wash away one's sins and purify the soul.
• Triveni Ghat is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists alike. Visitors can take a holy dip in the river, participate in the Ganga Aarti, and offer prayers at the various temples located nearby. The Ganga Aarti, a religious ritual that involves offering prayers to the river, is performed every evening at Triveni Ghat and is a major attraction for visitors.

Apart from its religious significance, Triveni Ghat is also a popular spot for adventure sports such as white water rafting and kayaking. Many tourists also visit Triveni Ghat to experience the serene and tranquil surroundings, and to indulge in yoga and meditation practices.

Overall, Triveni Ghat is a must-visit destination for those who seek spiritual solace and wish to experience the cultural richness of India.

• Parmarth Niketan: One of the largest ashrams in Rishikesh, Parmarth Niketan is located on the banks of the Ganges and is known for its evening aarti (worship) ceremony.
• Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula: These suspension bridges are popular among tourists and pilgrims, and they offer stunning views of the Ganges.
• Bharat Mandir: It is one of the oldest temples in Rishikesh and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• Beatles Ashram: This abandoned ashram gained popularity after the Beatles visited it in 1968. It is now a popular tourist attraction.
• Trimbakeshwar Temple: This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located on the banks of the Ganges River. It is believed to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India.
• Neelkanth Mahadev Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is located at a height of 1330 meters above sea level. It is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva drank the poison that came out during the churning of the ocean.
• Parmarth Niketan Temple: This temple is located on the banks of the Ganges River, and it is one of the largest ashrams in Rishikesh. It is known for its spiritual and cultural activities, and it attracts people from all over the world.
• Bharat Mandir: This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and it is believed to be one of the oldest temples in Rishikesh. It is located in the heart of the city and is known for its ancient architecture.
• Tera Manzil Temple: This multi-story temple is located on the banks of the Ganges River, and it is dedicated to several Hindu gods and goddesses. It is known for its colorful architecture and the beautiful views of the river and the surrounding hills.

These are just a few of the many temples that can be found in Rishikesh. The city is full of spiritual and cultural sites, and it is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Hinduism or spirituality in general.

Overall, Rishikesh is a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus and attracts

How many days required to Visit Haridwar and Reshikesh

The number of days required to visit Haridwar and Rishikesh would depend on how much time you want to spend in each place and what activities you want to do. However, here is a general guideline for a comfortable visit:

Haridwar:

• If you just want to visit the major temples and take a dip in the Ganges, then you can do it in 1-2 days.
• If you want to explore the city's culture and attend the evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri, then you should plan for 2-3 days.
• If you want to do a day trip to nearby places like Rajaji National Park, then you can add another day to your itinerary.

Rishikesh:

• If you just want to visit the major temples and take a dip in the Ganges, then you can do it in 1-2 days.
• If you want to explore the city's spiritual side, attend yoga classes, or go for adventure activities like rafting and bungee jumping, then you should plan for 2-3 days.
• If you want to do a day trip to nearby places like Neer Garh Waterfall or the Beatles Ashram, then you can add another day to your itinerary.
• Overall, a comfortable visit to Haridwar and Rishikesh would require a minimum of 4-5 days.
• However, if you want to explore these places in-depth and take part in multiple activities, you may want to plan for a longer stay.

Travel Agent Assistance

While visiting Haridwar and Rishikesh take help of a travel agent especially if you are unfamiliar with the area or do not speak the local language. A travel agent can help you book accommodations, arrange transportation, provide local guide services and suggest activities and attractions to visit during your trip. SkyRoute Travel, Markham Road, Scarborough, Toronto is regularly organising group tour as well as individual and family tour to India. Recently, in the month of Feb 2023, SkyRoute Travel has organized 21 days Pilgrimage trip to North India and South India in an efficient manner.

Feed back shared on Google by one of our guest is reproduced below

"We, group of 20 took the tour to India and Dubai in Feb 2023 for a total of 24 days with SkyRoute Travel. Our pilgrimage package started from New Delhi, visited most of the religious temples in Agra, Rishikase, Kashi, Shirdi, South India temples along the sea side and completed the tour in Trivandrum with the body massage therapy in Poovar, Kerala. Mr. Selva Raj was the manager/main tour guide for these 24 days trip including Dubai. He well planned and arranged local transports bus, mini bus auto and air plan, even wheel chair for some of the seniors, hotels , three time meals with water bottles (that we do not get any stomach issues) to drink. He also arranged sub tour guides specialised in local cities to provide specific info about the temple/city. When anyone request side trip not in the plan, he always positive and say “Pannalaam” we can do/arrange. He never got angry any time& always positive. It was amazing tour, I enjoyed very well. Without this tour group I can not plan my self to visit all these places where we have visited in the short period. When organizing a trip involved North India to South, arranging five different bus companies to transport, booking 20 seats for two local air transports, twenty hotels and over 60 meals, there may be people worked behind the scene, MR Selva Raj has orchestrated very well. There may be some inconveniences here and there as they first time took a big seniors group. It is nothing when we look at the big picture and the services we have enjoyed and reached home healthy and safe. Thanks Selva Anna you handled the group very well."