Haridwar

Regarded as one of the holiest Indian cities for the Hindus, Haridwar is the place where the Ganga River enters the plains of northern India. Located in the state of Uttarakhand, Haridwar is an ideal weekend getaway for those with a religious bent as this ancient city is home to numerous temples and ghats. The most famous attraction here is Har Ki Pauri (also known as Brahma Kund), where the famous Ganga aarti or prayer takes place every evening. People from all across the globe visit Haridwar just to be a part of this enchanting experience. The important temples include the Chandi Devi Temple, Mansa Devi Temple, Maya Devi Temple and Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple. The city also plays host to the world’s largest religious gathering, the grand Kumbh Mela, when millions of pilgrims and devotees flood the place to perform the age-old ritual of bathing in the Ganga River.