| Haridwar has a very rich ancient religious and cultural | | | | have a panoramic view of Haridwar, the Ganges, and |
| heritage. In the ancient scriptures of India, this place is | | | | the countryside from this place. |
| well known by the name of Mayapur. Located in the | | | | Vaishno Devi Temple: This temple is a newly |
| foothills of the Himalayas, Haridwar represents the | | | | constructed and a true replica of the original Vaishno |
| point where the Ganga reaches the plains. Haridwar is | | | | Devi temple in Jammu & Kashmir. |
| an ancient pilgrimage site, held in reverence for | | | | Bharat Mata Temple: This is one of the important |
| centuries. It is a gatewayto the Himalayan pilgrimage | | | | temples of Haridwar. It has eight stories in which the |
| shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. Once in twelve | | | | images of cities, heroes and great men are installed. |
| years, it hosts the famous, Kumbh Mela. Here is the list | | | | Maya Devi Temple: It is an ancient temple of Maya |
| of some of most popular tourist destinationsin and | | | | Devi the Adhishtkatri deity of Haridwar, known as one |
| around Haridwar. | | | | of the Siddhapeethas. It is believed that the heart and |
| Har ki Pauri: It is one of the most popular ghats in | | | | navel of goddess Sati had fallen at this ancient |
| Haridwar. This sacred ghat was constructed by King | | | | saktipeeth, located to the east of Har-ki-Pauri. |
| Vikramaditya in the memory of his brother Bhartrihari. It | | | | Places around Haridwar |
| is believed that Bhartihari eventually came to Haridwar | | | | Rishikesh: Around 28 km off Haridwar, Rishikesh is one |
| to meditate by the banks of the holy Ganga. When he | | | | of the most sacred cities in India, next only to Haridwar. |
| died, his brother constructed the Ghat in his name | | | | Nestled amidst the beautiful Himalayas and piously |
| which later came to be known as Har ki Pauri. | | | | intercepted by the mystic Ganges, this is place where |
| This sacred bathing Ghat is also known as | | | | the Ganges comes down to the plains from the hills. |
| Brahmakund. The golden reflection of floral diyas in the | | | | This holy city also serves as the centre of several |
| river Ganges is the most enchanting sight in the twilight | | | | ancient Hindu temples and many other sacred shrines. |
| during the Ganga aarti ceremony at the ghat. | | | | Rishikesh is also closely associated with the |
| Chandi Devi Temple: Legend has it that | | | | Ramayana. The city is famous world over as an |
| Chanda-Munda, the army chief of the local demon king, | | | | important center for learning and research in yoga and |
| Shumbha-Nishumbha, was killed by Goddess Chandi | | | | meditation. The International Yoga Festival which |
| here after which the place got the name Chandi Devi. | | | | attracts participation from all across the world is held |
| This temple, situated on top of the Neel Parvat on the | | | | here annually for one week in the month of February |
| other bank of river Ganges was constructed in AD | | | | (2nd to 7th) on the banks of the serene Ganga. Some |
| 1929 by Suchat Singh, the then King of Kashmir. The | | | | of the places in Rishikesh worth visiting are Bharat |
| temple is a 3-km trek from Chandi Ghat and it is | | | | Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev, Laxman Temple, Laxman |
| believed that the Adi Shankaracharya established the | | | | Jhula, Ram Jhula and Swarga-Ashram. The |
| main statue in eighth century AD. The Chandi Devi | | | | rope-bridge 'Lakshman Jhoola stands majestically here, |
| Temple is now also accessible by a ropeway, which | | | | as a landmark. This is where Lord Rama's brother |
| starts near the Gauri Shankar Temple. | | | | Lakshman is said to have crossed the river on a jute |
| Mansa Devi Temple: This temple a top the Bilwa | | | | rope. The old Lakshman temple is situated on the |
| Parvat is dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi. One can | | | | western bank. |