Har Ki Pauri - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

AO Edited

Har Ki Pauri

Haridwar, India

The Hindu god Vishnu is said to have walked at this Hindu pilgrimage site. 

A river winds along paved banks lined with pilgrims. View all photos
Har Ki Pauri panorama DavidK (Atlas Obscura User)
A river winds along paved banks lined with pilgrims.
Har Ki Pauri panorama DavidK (Atlas Obscura User)
Women look out on the Ganges DavidK (Atlas Obscura User)
Lord Shiva statue DavidK (Atlas Obscura User)
Offerings of flowers for the Ganges known as puja DavidK (Atlas Obscura User)
Hindu pilgrims in orange gather at the Ganges River in India.
Pilgrims at Har Ki Pauri DavidK (Atlas Obscura User)
16
28
Top Places in India
Auroville
Auroville
Bommayapalayam, India
Ramanujan Museum
Chennai, India
Datia Palace
Datia, India
 See All

Haridwar is a Hindu pilgrimage city in northern India. The focal point for pilgrims to Haridwar is known as Har Ki Pauri. The name means “God’s steps” since it is believed that Lord Vishnu walked here.

It’s here that the Ganges River comes down from the foothills of the Himalayas and enters the plains of eastern India. At this auspicious location, Hindu pilgrims come to bathe in the river and give offerings. Ceremonies and festivals often take place here as well.

Every evening the Ganga Aarti ceremony can be seen at sunset where a fire offering is made to the river goddess,  the Goddess Ganga or Maa Ganga. Various Hindu festivals often take place here, the largest of which is the Kumbh Mela. Every 12 years thousands of pilgrims descend on Haridwar for the Kumbh Mela and crowd into Har Ki Pauri. The next Haridwar Kumbh Mela will take place in 2033.

Know Before You Go

This can be a very crowded area. The exact address and latitude and longitude given here is for the Shiv Statue within Har Ki Pauri.

Atlas Obscura Trips

Delhi and Rajasthan: Colors of India

Discover Colorful Rajasthan: From Delhi to Jaipur and Beyond.
Book Now
pilgrimages hinduism gods rituals rivers religion sacred spaces
Community Contributors
DavidK
Added by
DavidK
Published
September 1, 2023
Edit this listing
Make an Edit Add Photos
Nearby
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram
13.47 miles
Skeletons of Roopkund Lake
95.46 miles
Nek Chand Saini's Rock Garden
98.32 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
A locally made sign points the way to the complex.
Rishikesh, India

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram

The abandoned site of the Beatles spiritual awakening and subsequent revolt.
Human Skeletons in Skeleton Lake in Roopkund
Chamoli, India

Skeletons of Roopkund Lake

A lake with hundreds of ancient skeletons surrounding it. The surprise is what killed them.
Chandigarh, India

Nek Chand Saini's Rock Garden

A palatial sculpture park was built illegally and in secret by a self-taught artist over 36 years.
New Delhi, India

Yamuna Ghat

Ancient traditions and surreal birdwatching come into sharp relief along one of the world's most polluted rivers.
Related Places
Shiva Statue
Shankharapur, Nepal

Shiva Statue

The spot where Parvati convinced Shiva to marry her, has become a pilgrimage site for married and unmarried women.
Garments on Eej Khad.
Sergelen, Mongolia

Eej Khad (Mother Rock)

Buddhist pilgrims journey to this sacred rock to leave offerings and have their wishes granted.
Kulasekharapatnam, India

Arulmigu Kulasai Mutharamman Temple

Every year, massive crowds flock to this 300-year-old temple to celebrate a unique, goddess-centric Hindu festival.
Pune, India

Baneshwar Cave Temple

A centuries-old Hindu cave temple is tucked away in a quiet suburb.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web