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The ghats of Har Ki Pauri on the Ganga, with the clock tower, small red-roofed shrines and bathers on the steps
Day planFirst visitTemples & heritagerelaxed

One day in Haridwar — the hill temples and the evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri

A one-day Haridwar plan: the Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi hill temples by day, then the evening Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri. Free, copyable plan.
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Photo: Paradise Chronicle · CC BY-SA 4.0

A day built around the two hill temples and the river. The morning goes to the Mansa Devi Temple, the early afternoon to the Chandi Devi Temple, and the evening to Har Ki Pauri for the Ganga aarti at sunset. The two-day plan adds the Maya Devi Temple and Kankhal. See also when to visit and how to reach Haridwar.

Photos: Paradise Chronicle (CC BY-SA 4.0) · DeeKayGangwar (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Ssriram mt (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.

Who this is for

Anyone with one day in Haridwar, or breaking the road between Delhi and Rishikesh, who wants the hill temples as well as the ghat.

Day by day

Day 1

Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi and Har Ki Pauri at dusk

The two hill temples by day, and the river ghat at the hour of the evening aarti.

  1. 09:00
    Mansa Devi Temple
    temple · 11 min from Haridwar · about 1 h 30 min there
    The hilltop shrine on the Bilwa Parvat, reached on foot or by the 540 m ropeway, with the Ganga and the town spread out below.
  2. ↓ 16 min by road · 10 km
    13:00
    Chandi Devi Temple
    temple · 5 min from Haridwar · about 1 h 30 min there
    The temple on the Neel Parvat, reached by a 3 km walk of steps from Chandighat or by its own ropeway.
  3. ↓ 8 min by road · 7 km
    17:00
    Har Ki Pauri
    monument · 1 min from Haridwar · about 1 h 30 min there
    The main ghat, with the Brahmakund; Wikipedia says the Ganga aarti is held here each evening at sunset.

Getting there

Haridwar is reached from Delhi by car, bus or train, about 217 km by road. The railway station is about 4 minutes from Har Ki Pauri. See the hub guide for the full arrival table.

Where to stay

Haridwar is the base; the ghat area is the centre of the city and the hill temples are 5 and 11 minutes away by road.

Know before you go

  • Wikipedia gives ordinary opening hours of 6 am to 8 pm for the Chandi Devi Temple, but we cannot confirm them today, so check locally.
  • Wikipedia says alcohol and non-vegetarian food are not permitted in Haridwar, and leather goods are prohibited inside the Chandi Devi Temple.
  • We have no verified fares or timings for the ropeways, so ask at each lower station before you queue.

Places on this route

Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar — the main ghat on the Ganga
Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar — the main ghat on the Ganga
monument · 1 min from Haridwar
Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar — the temple on the Neel Parvat
Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar — the temple on the Neel Parvat
temple · 5 min from Haridwar
Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar — the hilltop shrine and its ropeway
Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar — the hilltop shrine and its ropeway
temple · 11 min from Haridwar

Other ways to do it

All Haridwar itineraries →
Two days in Haridwar — the ghat, Maya Devi, the hill temples and Kankhal
1 night · 2 days · First visitTemples & heritage
Two days in Haridwar — the ghat, Maya Devi, the hill temples and Kankhal
A two-day Haridwar plan: Har Ki Pauri, the Maya Devi and Mansa Devi temples on day one, then Kankhal and the Chandi Devi Temple on day two. Free, copyable plan.
Best Feb–Mar · Oct–Nov
See the plan →

Questions people ask

Can you do Haridwar in one day?

Yes, for the main sights. The two hill temples are 5 and 11 minutes from Har Ki Pauri by road, and the ghat is where the day ends with the evening aarti at sunset. It is a long day if you climb on foot, so many visitors use the ropeways, whose fares and timings we have not verified.

When should you be at Har Ki Pauri?

Wikipedia says the aarti is held each evening at sunset, so arrive well before it. Sunset moves through the year, and the time can change on special occasions such as eclipses. We have no verified timetable, so ask locally for the time on the day and expect large crowds on both banks.

What are the rules to know?

Wikipedia says alcohol and non-vegetarian food are not permitted in Haridwar, and that leather goods are prohibited inside the Chandi Devi Temple. Dress modestly at all three places, ask before photographing worshippers, and follow any instructions at the ropeway stations and temple gates.