Haridwar and Rishikesh in two days — Mansa Devi, Kankhal and the evening aarti, then the bridges of Rishikesh
The two holy towns of the Ganga's mouth from the hills, in two days. In Haridwar: the Mansa Devi Temple on its hill, the Daksheswara Mahadev Temple at Kankhal, and the evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri. In Rishikesh, about 26 minutes up the river on our routing: the Lakshman Jhula, the Beatles Ashram and the aarti at Parmarth Niketan.
Photos: Paradise Chronicle (CC BY-SA 4.0) · pavankunar (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Snehrashmi (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Billjones94 (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Who this is for
Pilgrims and first-time visitors coming from Delhi who want both towns in one weekend.
Day by day
Day 1Haridwar
3 stops · 28 min on the road
Haridwar
The hill temple in the morning, Kankhal at midday, and the Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri at sunset.
- 09:00Mansa Devi TempleThe temple of the goddess on the hill above Haridwar, reached by steps or the ropeway. Ask locally about the ropeway's hours.
- ↓ 20 min by road · 11 km12:00Daksheswara Mahadev TempleThe Shiva temple at Kankhal, where the story of Daksha's sacrifice is told.
- ↓ 8 min by road · 5 km16:30Har Ki PauriThe great ghat on the Ganga. Find a place on the steps well before sunset for the evening aarti, when the lamps are offered to the river.
Day 2Rishikesh
3 stops · 28 min on the road
Rishikesh
Up the river to Rishikesh, about 26 minutes away on our routing, for its bridges, the Beatles' ashram and the aarti at Parmarth Niketan.
- 09:30Lakshman JhulaThe old suspension bridge over the Ganges, closed to vehicles and open to people on foot since November 2020 by Wikipedia's account. Check locally whether it is open.
- ↓ 24 min by road · 12 km11:30Beatles AshramThe ashram where the Beatles stayed in 1968, now in the forest on the east bank.
- ↓ 4 min by road · 2 km16:00Parmarth NiketanThe riverside ashram at Swargashram, open to all, known for its sunset Ganga aarti.
Getting there
Haridwar Junction is a short way from Har Ki Pauri, and many trains from Delhi stop there. See how to reach Haridwar and how to reach Rishikesh.
Where to stay
The first night in Haridwar, the second in Rishikesh. We have no verified lodging or prices.
Know before you go
- Get to Har Ki Pauri early for the evening aarti; the ghat fills before sunset.
- Both towns are places of pilgrimage: dress modestly, and respect the rules of each ghat and ashram.
- Check locally whether the Lakshman and Ram Jhula bridges are open; their access has changed since 2020.
Places on this route
Going together
No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.
Other ways to do it
All Haridwar itineraries →
More places nearby
All of Haridwar →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
How far is Rishikesh from Haridwar?
About 22 km and 26 minutes by road on our routing, up the Ganga. It is an easy move between the two days of this plan, and buses and taxis run between the towns all day; we have no verified fares. The traffic can be heavy at festivals.
Can Haridwar and Rishikesh be seen in two days?
Yes, the main places. Spend the first day in Haridwar for Mansa Devi, Kankhal and the evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri, and the second in Rishikesh for the Lakshman Jhula, the Beatles Ashram and the aarti at Parmarth Niketan. Add a day for Chandi Devi or Neelkanth Mahadev.
Which Ganga aarti is better, Haridwar or Rishikesh?
They are different. The aarti at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar is the town's great evening ceremony on its main ghat, with very large crowds; the aarti at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh is held at the ashram's own riverside ghat. This plan lets you see both, one on each evening.