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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
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Har Ki Pauri panorama   DavidK / Atlas Obscura User
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
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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

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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.

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DavidK

Published

September 1, 2023

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Har Ki Pauri
X55G+G5
Haridwar, 249401
India
29.957681, 78.174084
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