Haridwar is a spiritual destination and in earlier times, many people felt that they would go to heaven if they could die in a holy city like Hardiwar or Benaras. Haridwar has its own charm and this ancient city has not changed much. Coming here would make you more aware of your own spiritual side. If you are in the city, here are some of the things that you can do.
Taking a dip at the holy waters of the Brahmakund is a must and this is how many people choose to start their day in Haridwar. One has to go to the Har ki Pauri ghat. While many come here for religious reasons, it is an experience in itself to take a dip with hundreds of other devotees all at once at the very early morning. Even foreigners come here for the experience.
The Ganga Aarti is a spectacular sight to behold each evening and many devotees pray along when the priests chant their prayers. The aartis are held with the help of giant lamps as priests stand in a single line and perform the aarti. The sound of the prayers chanted in chorus after which the devotees make their wish and float lighted diyas in the waters. It is said doing so makes every wish come true and it is such a pleasant sight to be witnessed at night.
Even if you are not religious yourself, visiting the temples of Haridwar is one of the best ways of experiencing the city, along with its history and of course, the architecture. The temples have been standing here for hundreds of years and they are all dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The notable temples here are Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple, Maya devi Temple, Mansa Devi temple and others. You will be amazed by the various traditions and rituals that are followed here.
India is known for its yoga and meditation practices and Haridwar is a major hub. There are a number of ashrams here which will teach you how to practice yoga in the correct manner. This is another popular hub for practicing meditation after Rishikesh. It is hard to practice yoga or understand about its nuances in urban cities but once you come into contact with the yogis, they will teach you how to train your mind. You can visit the Saptrishi ashram to practice yoga and they have 42 cottages which are lent out to devotees and yoga enthusiasts.
Haridwar is one of the best places to seek Ayurvedic treatment because here the traditional forms of using herbal medicines are still followed. The ancient methods of healing are still practiced here and there are many certified clinics here. You can go to Aurovalley Ashram, Santosh Puri Ashram and others for your treatment. However, beware of the conmen who sometimes want to lure unsuspecting tourists.
If you are looking for doing offbeat things in Haridwar, then one of the most interesting activities here is to visit the Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar. It is located just about 3.5 km from the main city and this water reserve is visited by many species of migratory birds. You will find many Himalayan birds as well which come down from the mountains during the extreme cold. The photographer in you will be delighted to click so many birds in their natural habitat.
One of the other interesting things to do in Haridwar in winters is to go for a Wildlife Safari at the Rajaji National Park. It is about 10 km away from the main city and it is really a pleasure to visit this park and see a large number of animals and birds in their natural habitat. There are two gates to this park- the Chandi Devi Entry gate near Haridwar and the Kunao Entry Gate from the side of Rishikesh. You will have a great time here and many people also find a secluded place in the park and try to meditate here as well amidst all the peace and greenery.
If you are one who loves to collect local knickknacks then the colorful markets of Haridwar are sure to enthrall you. One of the things that devotees here buy the most are religious items and idols of gods and goddesses. There are copies of Bhagvad Gita, strings of Rudraksh and other items sold here. You will come across many local markets like Moti Bazaar, Bara Bazaar, Kankhal and Jwalapur and you will find colorful duppattas, dress materials, glass bangles and other similar items.
Although Haridwar does not seem like a place where you can try bungee jumping, it is actually a very good place to try this out. You just need to go towards the outskirts of the main city and the interesting terrain here will provide many opportunities for a wide range of adventure activities, including bungee jumping. It is amazing how tourists come and discover this other side of Haridwar.
Among the other adventure activities that can be enjoyed, mountain biking is another popular activity that is enjoyed here. The rough terrain around Haridwar and Rishikesh and the close proximity of the mountains will give you ample opportunity to enjoy mountain biking. However, be sure about your own skills before you take on the really difficult biking trails and have your helmet on at all times. Many adventure enthusiasts and college youngsters come to Haridwar purely for its adventure activities.
It is really amazing how you could virtually fly over the Ganges and have a beautiful view of the panorama around and you can get this feel while you are ziplining. You will practically have the entire view of the whole Haridwar valley. A strong cable will be attached to you as you cross the Ganges on a cord. Feel the breeze against you face with nothing to stop you and are sure to feel like a bird flying over the hills and the mighty Ganga as it meanders through the hills around Haridwar.
The waterfalls around Haridwar lend themselves wonderfully to waterfall rappelling. You will climb rock surfaces through the falls and it is quite a thrilling experience to battle pounding water and a hilly terrain at the same time. All the required safety gears are provided by the organizers and you will have instructors to guide you through the steps. It will be an event to remember.
Whoever has experienced the thrills of river rafting once will tell you that it is an experience like no other. And you can enjoy that thrill here where the mountain rapids of the Ganga flow from Rishikesh to Haridwar. The rafts are extremely sturdy and you are strapped in so that you do not fall down. The summers see huge crowds of youngsters descending on the mountains to experience this thrilling activity during the summers.
The Kuari Pass is one of the most popular treks in this region and is a great learning ground for novice trekkers. The trekkers usually head towards the Pangarchulla peak from where one catches a stunning glimpse of the panorama all around. The best time for the trek is during the months of April to May. At this time, the trail is filled with snow and you will catch a glimpse of the mighty ranges of the Himalayas from here.
Known as a mystery lake, Roopkund Lake trail definitely has an aura of mystery around it. You will start the trek from around the Lohajung Main market and then the trek will take you through some local mountain villages till you finally start on the hilly tracks. The scenery around changes drastically and you will be in awe of the beauty around. When you finally reach the Roopkund Lake, surrounded by hills from all sides, the sight that you see is heavenly.
One of the most exhilarating trekking trails here is the Chopta trek that takes the trekker through the Chopta, Chandrashila and Deorital regions. Be prepared to leave the world behind as you know it with only your backpack at the back, with all your essentials. You will understand the full impact of the beauty of nature here and you will enjoy breaks in quaint mountain villages. This trek is rather a long one if you want to complete it and could take five days but is completely worth it.
The Valley of Flowers is known for its amazing beauty and it is indeed a paradise on earth. Named appropriately, it is such a sight when the flowers are in full bloom in the season. One can also trek to this amazing valley and you will love every moment of it. Tourists are requested not to litter the place at all and abide by all the instructions to maintain the ecological balance.
Haridwar is truly a land of wonders and from temples, to forests, birds to rivers, you will find everything here that will truly uplift your body, mind and soul.
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