Quick answer: The ten temples most yatris visit in Haridwar are Har Ki Pauri (Brahmakund), Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi, Maya Devi, Daksha Mahadev and Sati Kund in Kankhal, Bharat Mata Mandir, Pawan Dham, Bilkeshwar Mahadev and Shantikunj. Most open around 5 to 6 am and close by 8 to 9 pm. One full day covers the core darshan; two days lets you add Kankhal and the evening Ganga aarti without rushing.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Haridwar is where the Ganga leaves the mountains and enters the plains, and for most families it is the first stop of any Uttarakhand yatra. We are based in Dehradun, about an hour away, so Haridwar is the town we know best. This guide lists the ten mandirs worth your time, with the deity, why each matters, approximate timings, what to wear, and how far each is from Haridwar railway station. Timings below are what temple boards and recent reports show; they shift with the season and on festival days, so treat them as a guide and confirm locally.
Which are the most important temples in Haridwar?
Haridwar’s sacred sites fall into three clusters. The Har Ki Pauri cluster in the old town has Brahmakund, Mansa Devi on Bilwa Parvat above it, and Maya Devi a short walk south. Kankhal, about 4 km south, holds Daksha Mahadev and Sati Kund, tied to the story of Sati. The Bhupatwala–Saptarishi road towards Rishikesh has the newer mandirs and ashrams: Bharat Mata Mandir, Pawan Dham and Shantikunj. Chandi Devi sits on Neel Parvat across the river.
1. Har Ki Pauri and Brahmakund
Deity and significance: Maa Ganga. Tradition holds that a drop of amrit fell at Brahmakund, which is why Kumbh snan takes place here. A stone on the ghat wall is revered as Lord Vishnu’s footprint, which gives the ghat its name. Timings: the ghat is open round the clock; the Ganga aarti is held at sunrise and sunset, roughly 5:15 to 5:45 pm in winter and 6:45 to 7:15 pm in summer. Dress: modest clothes; carry a spare set and a towel for snan. From station: about 3 km. See our Har Ki Pauri Ganga aarti guide for where to sit.
2. Mansa Devi Mandir
Deity: Maa Mansa Devi, believed to fulfil wishes (mansa). Devotees tie a sacred thread on the tree in the courtyard and return to untie it once the wish is granted. It is one of Haridwar’s three Siddh Peeths. Timings: reported as about 5 am to 9 pm, with a midday pause; the Udan Khatola ropeway runs roughly 5 am to 6 pm. Getting up: ropeway from near the upper road, or a stepped path of about 1.5 km. From station: about 3 km to the ropeway base.
3. Chandi Devi Mandir
Deity: Maa Chandi, the form of Durga who slew Chanda and Munda. The present shrine is linked by tradition to Adi Shankaracharya, and the present temple building to the Kashmir ruler Suchat Singh in 1929. Timings: reported as about 6 am to 8 pm; ropeway roughly 7 am to 6 pm. Getting up: ropeway from Chandighat, or a climb of about 3 km. A combined ticket for both ropeways is usually sold, with a shuttle between the two bases. From station: about 5 to 6 km.
4. Maya Devi Mandir
Deity: Maa Maya Devi, the presiding goddess of Haridwar, which was once called Mayapuri. Many devotees regard it as a Shakti Peeth where Sati’s heart and navel fell. Timings: about 6 am to 9 pm. Dress: covered shoulders and knees. From station: about 2 km, a short walk from Har Ki Pauri. The third Siddh Peeth, it completes the trio with Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi.
5. Daksha Mahadev Mandir, Kankhal
Deity: Lord Shiva as Daksheshwar. This is where King Daksha is believed to have held the yagya at which Sati gave up her body. In Shravan, devotees believe Shiva resides here, so the month is extremely crowded. Timings: about 6 am to 9 pm. From station: about 4 km. Combine with Sati Kund next door.
6. Sati Kund, Kankhal
Significance: the kund marks the spot traditionally associated with Sati’s self-immolation. It is a quiet, somewhat neglected site, but devotees on a Shakti Peeth yatra make a point of visiting. Timings: daylight hours. From station: about 4 to 5 km.
7. Bharat Mata Mandir
Significance: an eight-storey temple consecrated in 1983 by Swami Satyamitranand Giri, dedicated to Mother India. Floors are given to freedom fighters, saints, women of virtue, the forms of Shakti and Shiva, with Vishnu at the top. A lift serves the upper floors, which helps seniors. Timings: about 8 am to 7 pm with a midday break. From station: about 5 km, on the Saptarishi road.
8. Pawan Dham
Deity: Lord Hanuman, with Radha-Krishna and other deities in rooms worked in glass and mirror inlay. Children enjoy it, and it makes a short stop on the way to Bharat Mata Mandir. Timings: about 6 am to 9 pm. From station: about 4 km.
9. Bilkeshwar Mahadev
Deity: Lord Shiva. Local tradition says Parvati performed tapasya here, living on bel leaves, to win Shiva as her husband; the nearby Gauri Kund is linked to her. Timings: about 5 am to 9 pm. From station: about 2 km, at the foot of Bilwa Parvat.
10. Shantikunj (Gayatri Teerth)
Significance: headquarters of the All World Gayatri Pariwar, with a Gayatri Mata mandir, yagyashala and daily havan open to visitors. Families often attend a free sanskar (naming, mundan, yagyopavit) here. Timings: morning havan from early morning; campus open through the day. From station: about 6 km towards Rishikesh.
Haridwar temples at a glance
| Temple | Deity | Approx. timings | From Haridwar station | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Har Ki Pauri | Maa Ganga | Open always; aarti at sunrise and sunset | 3 km | 1.5 to 2 hrs with aarti |
| Mansa Devi | Maa Mansa Devi | 5 am to 9 pm | 3 km | 1.5 to 2 hrs |
| Chandi Devi | Maa Chandi | 6 am to 8 pm | 5 to 6 km | 2 hrs |
| Maya Devi | Maa Maya Devi | 6 am to 9 pm | 2 km | 30 to 45 min |
| Daksha Mahadev | Shiva (Daksheshwar) | 6 am to 9 pm | 4 km | 45 min |
| Sati Kund | Sati | Daylight | 4 to 5 km | 20 min |
| Bharat Mata Mandir | Bharat Mata | 8 am to 7 pm (midday break) | 5 km | 1 hr |
| Pawan Dham | Hanuman | 6 am to 9 pm | 4 km | 30 min |
| Bilkeshwar Mahadev | Shiva | 5 am to 9 pm | 2 km | 30 min |
| Shantikunj | Gayatri Mata | Early morning to evening | 6 km | 1 hr |
Timings are approximate and change in winter, on Navratri, Shravan and Kumbh days. Ropeways stop in bad weather.
How to plan a 1, 2 or 3 day Haridwar darshan
One day
- Early morning: snan at Brahmakund before 7 am, when the ghat is calmer.
- Mid-morning: Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi using the combined ropeway ticket.
- Afternoon: Maya Devi, then Daksha Mahadev and Sati Kund in Kankhal.
- Evening: back at Har Ki Pauri an hour before sunset for the Ganga aarti.
Two days
Spread the above over two days and add Bharat Mata Mandir, Pawan Dham and Shantikunj on the second morning. This is the pace we suggest for families with seniors, since the ropeway queues on weekends can take an hour or more.
Three days
Add a day in Rishikesh, 25 km upstream, for Triveni Ghat, Neelkanth Mahadev and the evening aarti at Parmarth Niketan. Our guide to temples in Rishikesh covers that day.
Dress code and temple etiquette in Haridwar
- No formal dress code at most mandirs, but shoulders and knees should be covered. Shorts and sleeveless tops attract disapproval at Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi.
- Leather belts and wallets are better left at the hotel for the hilltop shrines.
- Haridwar is a vegetarian, alcohol-free town around the ghats; respect it.
- For snan, women usually bathe in a salwar suit or saree; changing cubicles are available at Har Ki Pauri.
- Hold the safety chains at Brahmakund. The current is strong, especially in the monsoon.
- Pandas at the ghat keep family genealogy registers. If you want a puja, agree the dakshina beforehand.
When is the best time to visit Haridwar temples?
October to March is the most comfortable season, with clear days and evening aarti around 5:30 pm. April to June is hot (often above 38°C in the afternoon), so do darshan early. July and August bring the monsoon and the Kanwar Yatra, when lakhs of Shiva devotees collect Ganga jal and traffic is diverted for about two weeks in Shravan; avoid road travel then unless you are joining the Kanwar yourself.
2027 is special: the Haridwar Kumbh is scheduled from 14 January to 20 April 2027, with Amrit Snans announced for 6 March, 8 March and 14 April. Expect closed roads and full hotels on snan days. Our Haridwar Kumbh 2027 guide lists every date.
How to reach Haridwar
- Train: Haridwar Junction (HW) is on direct routes from Delhi (roughly 4 to 5 hours on the Dehradun Shatabdi or Vande Bharat), Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Varanasi.
- Air: Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport is about 35 km away, roughly an hour by road.
- Road: Delhi to Haridwar is about 220 km, 5 to 6 hours via Meerut and Muzaffarnagar.
How we can help
Our Haridwar Rishikesh Yatra (2 nights, 3 days from Haridwar) covers these temples with the Ganga aarti and a day in Rishikesh at a gentle pace. Families coming for shraddh rites can look at the Delhi Haridwar Pind Daan Yatra, and if Haridwar is the start of something bigger, our Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar begins here. Browse more in North India yatras, or use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
How many days are enough for Haridwar temple darshan?
One full day covers Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi, Maya Devi and Kankhal if you start early and use the ropeways. Two days is better for seniors and lets you add Bharat Mata Mandir and Shantikunj without rushing. Add a third day if you also want Rishikesh and Neelkanth Mahadev, which are about an hour upstream.
What are the Mansa Devi temple timings in Haridwar?
Mansa Devi is reported to open around 5 am and close around 9 pm, with a short break in the afternoon. The ropeway runs roughly from 5 am to 6 pm, and stops in strong wind or rain. On Navratri and weekends the ropeway queue can be long, so go early in the morning or take the stepped path if you are fit.
Can we visit Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi on the same day?
Yes. A combined ropeway ticket is usually sold, and a shuttle links the Mansa Devi ropeway base with Chandighat. Allow about four hours for both, including queues. Start with Mansa Devi in the morning, then cross to Chandi Devi before its ropeway closes in the early evening.
Is there a dress code for Haridwar temples?
There is no written dress code at most Haridwar mandirs, but modest Indian clothing is expected. Cover shoulders and knees, avoid shorts and sleeveless tops, and leave leather items at the hotel. For snan at Brahmakund, women usually bathe in a salwar suit or saree and change in the cubicles provided on the ghat.
Which temple in Haridwar is a Shakti Peeth?
Maya Devi Mandir is widely revered as a Shakti Peeth, where devotees believe Sati’s heart and navel fell. Kankhal’s Daksha Mahadev and Sati Kund are also central to the Sati story. Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi and Maya Devi together are called Haridwar’s three Siddh Peeths, and many families visit all three on the same day.
Is Haridwar crowded during the Kumbh 2027?
Yes, very. The Haridwar Kumbh is scheduled from 14 January to 20 April 2027, with Amrit Snans on 6 March, 8 March and 14 April. On those days roads close, vehicles stop at outer parking and you may walk several kilometres. For calm temple darshan, visit on non-snan days or after April 2027.
How far is Har Ki Pauri from Haridwar railway station?
Har Ki Pauri is about 3 km from Haridwar Junction, roughly 15 minutes by e-rickshaw or auto in normal traffic. On big snan days and in the Kanwar season vehicles are stopped well short of the ghat, so be ready to walk the last stretch. Most hotels near the ghat are within a 10-minute walk.
What is the best month to visit Haridwar temples?
October to March is the most pleasant, with mild days and an early evening aarti. Avoid the Kanwar weeks in Shravan (July to August) if you are travelling by road with elders, and check the Kumbh 2027 snan dates before fixing January to April. Summer works if you do darshan before 10 am.