Har Ki Pauri and Ganga Aarti
Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Har Ki Pauri is the most sacred ghat of Haridwar, where the Ganga leaves the mountains and enters the plains. Pilgrims bathe here at dawn, and every evening the Ganga Aarti draws thousands to the steps. The stretch of the ghat where the aarti is held is known as Brahma Kund, and by tradition it is where drops of nectar (amrit) fell to earth in the story of the churning of the ocean. It is one of the four sites of the Kumbh Mela.
What to see and do
- Watch the evening Ganga Aarti, with lamps, bells and the whole ghat singing
- See pilgrims bathe and float leaf boats of flowers and lamps
- Walk along the ghat and the bridges for views of the river
- Visit in the morning for a quieter aarti and a calm bathing scene
Ideal for
- Pilgrims starting the Char Dham or Do Dham yatra
- Families and first-time visitors to Haridwar
- Anyone who enjoys river aartis
Good to know
- Aarti timings change with the season, and sources differ (about 5 to 6 pm in winter, about 6:30 to 7 pm in summer), so confirm locally
- Arrive early for a place on the steps; weekends and festival days are very crowded
- Do not bathe at the main bathing spot in the monsoon, when the river rises
- Keep belongings safe in the crowd, and dress modestly
Spiritual significance
Haridwar means 'gateway to the Lord'. It is the traditional starting point of the Himalayan pilgrimages, and Har Ki Pauri is where the Ganga first meets the plains.
Why it matters
- The gateway to the Himalayas: the place where the Char Dham and Do Dham journeys traditionally begin
- Brahma Kund: the spot linked with drops of nectar, so a dip here is believed to purify
- The Ganga Aarti: one of the most moving river ceremonies in India
- A Kumbh site: one of the four places of the great Kumbh Mela