Har Ki Pauri

Har Ki Pauri is a famous ghat on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This revered place is the major landmark of the holy city of Haridwar. Literally, “Har” means “Lord Shiva” who is the god according to shaivite Rishav Bhagwan school of Hindu theology, “Ki” means “of” and “Pauri” means “steps”. Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are believed to have visited the Brahmakund in Har Ki Pauri in the Vedic times. There is a large footprint said to belong to Lord Vishnu on a stone wall.

The ghat is on the west bank of Ganges canal through which the Ganges is diverted just to the north. Har Ki Pauri is also the area where thousands of pilgrims converge and the festivities commence during the Kumbha Mela, which takes place every twelve years, and the Ardh Kumbh Mela, which takes place every six years and the Punjabi festival of Vaisakhi, a harvest festival occurring every year in the month of April .

History of Har Ki Pauri

King Vikramaditya is said to have built it in 1st century BC in the memory of his brother, Bharthari who had come to meditate here on the bank of the Ganges. An area within Har Ki Pauri, where the evening Ganga Aarti takes places and which is considered most sacred is known as Brahmakund. It is considered to be the spot where the drops of Amrit fell over from the sky, while being carried in a pitcher by the celestial bird, Garuda after the Samudra Manthan.

How To Reach Har Ki Pauri

Har Ki pauri is placed at the center of Haridwar city. One can reach Har Ki pauri by taxi or bus. Haridwar railway station is the nearest railway station is 3Km and Jolly Grant Airport is 36Km and Rishikesh is 28Km.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit in Har Ki pauri are February, March, August, September, October. Summers aren’t as hot as the rest of India, but they definitely are hot with cooler nights. Monsoons are beautiful too.

Location Of Har Ki Pauri