Haridwar's gateway to the four pilgrimages in the Uttarkhand region and is located at the point where the Ganges emerges from the Himalayas as it makes its way through the plains. This makes it a particularly holy place. Haridwar means Gateway to the Gods, it is said that taking bath here purifies the soul and opens the way for the ultimate freedom, Nirvana. Haridwar has earned fame as being the place that has been blessed by the trinity of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is also one of the major Shaktipeeths.

Every 12 years the Kumbh Mela takes place here and millions of pilgrims come here for holy bathe. The Kumbh Mela takes place successively at Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. It is next due to take place in Haridwar in 2010.

Har-ki-Pauri
Har ki Pauri or The Footstep of God is the main riverbank of Haridwar. It is believed to be at the very spot where the Ganges leaves the mountains making its way to the plains.

It is one of the most sacred ghats in India. This ghat is also known as Brahmakund. At the place the river is believed to consider supreme power and is endorsed by a footprint, Lord Vishnu left in a stone here. The priest performs Ganga Arti at sunset while the priests are performing rituals. The sunrays falling on the holy waters and the marble lined bridges give a rare view.

Mansa Devi
The Mansa Devi Temple is situated on the hill called the Bilwa Parvat; a chair lift takes you there. Mansa Devi is one of the forms of Shakti Durga (The Inaccessible, consort of Lord Shiva. Photography is forbidden in the temple.

Daksha Mahadev Temple
About 4 km to the south of Haridwar is the newly built Pareshwar Mahadev Temple. The late former President of India, Gyani Zail Singh, inaugurated the temple. It houses a sacred lingam reputedly made of mercury. Further 2 km along this route is situated the Daksha Mahadev Temple (also known as Shri Dakeswar). Daksha, the father of Sati (Shiva's first wife), performed a sacrifice here but did not care to invite Shiva. This inexcusable indiscretion enraged Sati and she immolated herself! Opposite this temple is the Anandamoyee Ma Ashram which has become an enormous mausoleum since the death of this Bengali guru.

Chandi Devi
This temple is on the top of the hill called Neel Parvat. Chandi Devi is a three-km trek from the Chandi Ghat.

Maya Devi
It is one of the Shaktipeeths in India. This ancient temple of Maya Devi is also the Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar. It is said when Lord Shiva was carrying his wife Sati, who had burnt herself to keep the honor of her husband, then the heart and navel of Sati had fallen at this place.

Pawan Dham Temple
This temple is widely known for its incredible glass and mirror work and richly garbed idols. About 1 km further along this road the Lal Mata Temple is situated. The temple, which was completed in 1994, is an imitation of the Vaishno Devi Temple in Kashmir. The artificial hill on which the replica is situated also resembles the original hill. Next to the temple is a perpetually frozen ice lingam that is an imitation of the one in the Amarnath cave in Kashmir.

Further along this road is the Parmath Ashram that contains beautiful images of goddess Durga. The road proceeds past the Bharat Mata Temple, an eight storeys high temple and has a lift to the top. The top floor has an image of Lord Shiva. About 5 km from Haridwar is the Sapt Rishi Ashram, named after the seven Hindu saints.