Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All India Har Ki Pauri
AO Edited

Har Ki Pauri

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

Haridwar, India

Added By
David Koppers
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
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
Pilgrims at Har Ki Pauri   DavidK / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

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.

Related Tags

Pilgrimages Rituals Sacred Spaces Rivers Gods Hinduism Religion

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 Adventures

Delhi and Rajasthan: Colors of India

Discover Colorful Rajasthan: From Delhi to Jaipur and Beyond.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

DavidK

Published

September 1, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Har Ki Pauri
X55G+G5
Haridwar, 249401
India
29.957681, 78.174084
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram

Rishikesh, India

miles away

Skeletons of Roopkund Lake

Chamoli, India

miles away

Nek Chand Saini's Rock Garden

Chandigarh, India

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of India

India

Asia

Places 338
Stories 107

Nearby Places

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram

Rishikesh, India

miles away

Skeletons of Roopkund Lake

Chamoli, India

miles away

Nek Chand Saini's Rock Garden

Chandigarh, India

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of India

India

Asia

Places 338
Stories 107

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.

  • Mahakal Mandir

    Darjeeling, India

    Mahakal Mandir

    At this unique temple in Darjeeling, Hindu and Buddhist practices co-exist harmoniously.

  • Sankt Olof Holy Springs

    Simrishamn V, Sweden

    Sankt Olof Holy Springs

    These two springs are tied to several legends, one of which involves the travels of Saint Olof.

  • The Capitoline Triad at the Rodolfo Lanciani Archaeological Museum.

    Montecelio, Italy

    Capitoline Triad

    This incredible second-century sculpture depicts a trio of gods worshipped by the ancient Romans.

  • Jama Masjid, Ahmedabad.

    Ahmedabad, India

    Jama Masjid

    This 15th-century mosque is a beautiful blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.