Har Ki Pauri is originally known as Hari Ki Paidi. It is the most important and ancient spiritual landmark of the sacred city of Haridwar. It is located on the western bank of the Ganga River in the Uttarakhand state of India. It is the sacred spot where the drops of amrita i.e. the nectar of immortality fell. This revers it as the prime site of Kumbha Mela.
Being the most important spiritual landmark, it attracts a huge number of devotees who bathe in the sacred waters of Mother Ganga at this ghat.
Haridwar is one of the seven holy cities mentioned in the scriptures referred by the name ‘Maya’.
ayodhya mathuraa maaya kaashi kaanchi avantika
puri dvaaravati caiva saptaita mokshadaayikah
Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika and Dwaraka are the seven holy places which can award liberation to the living entities. (Garuda Purana 1.16.14)
Skanda Purana futher states
sa krtsnaatan tu yair matyair gangadwaare shubhaavahe
na teshaam punaravrtti: kalpa koti shatair api
Haridwar is a holy place. Anyone who takes bath in the Ganga here is not born in this material world for crores and crores of kalpas.
If taking bath in Haridwar has such an elevated spiritual status, what would be the glory of Har Ki Pauri which lies within the Haridwar city?
Brahma Kunda at Har Ki Pauri
Within Har Ki Pauri is Brahma Kunda. This is the place where Maharaja Shveta worshiped Lord Brahma after the descent of Mother Ganga to this Earth. Shastras also mention that Lord Brahma welcomed Mother Ganga standing at this place. This is also the exact spot where the drops of nectar fell. Devotees prefer to take holy bath here in Haridwar.
Two thousand years before during the reign of King Vikramaditya of Avantikapuri, his elder brother King Bhartrhari performed tapasya at this place and achieved the lotus feet of Lord Mukunda. In the memory of his brother, King Vikramaditya got the ghat and steps constructed for devotees to take bath here and named this place as Hari Ki Paidi – Hari in Bhartrhari and Paidi means steps. As the time passed by, it came to be known as Har Ki Pauri. The lotus footprints of Lord Vishnu are imprinted on a stone wall here.
Daksha Prajapati along with other devatas had darshan of Lord Narayana at this place.
Ganga Arati at Har Ki Pauri
Not just a holy dip in the sacred Ganga will enchant this place, you must attend the mesmerizing Ganga arati held here in the evening. It is such a soul stirring experience that will take away all your worries.
Ganga Arati is performed at Har Ki Pauri twice during the day – early morning and evening after sunset. The arati is very simple but the faith of devotees present around makes it appear so grand that it never fades away from one’s mind. The vibrations of the arati continue to linger throughout the life. If in Haridwar, do not miss to be part of this ceremony.
Vedic History of Har Ki Pauri
The lila of Har Ki Pauri is connected to the Samudra Manthan i.e. churning of the ocean. The eighth canto of Bhagavata Purana mentions the churning of the ocean of milk together by the demigods and demons on the advice of Lord Vishnu.
When the demigods were at their weakest state, Lord Vishnu, the well-wisher and benefactor of the demigods advised them to make truce with the demons so that they could relish the ‘Amrit’ or nectar of immortality. As advised by the Lord, the demigods headed by Lord Indra went to meet Bali Maharaj, the head of the demons. They formed an agreement to extract ‘Amrit’ together.
With this in mind, the Mandara Hill as the churning rod and the serpent King Vasuki as the rope was brought in. In the middle, when the demigods and demons became tired and couldn’t move the Mandara Hill further towards the sea, Lord Vishnu Himself appeared on the top of Garudadeva, lifted the mountain with His lotus hands and placed it in the ocean of milk.
After the churning of the ocean began using Vasuki as the rope, the mountain base sunk inside the ocean due to the lack of a stand. Seeing this, Lord Vishnu incarnated in the tortoise form and became the stand for the churning rod i.e. Mandara Hill. Now, when the ocean was churned, a deadly poison called as Halahala was produced. This poison was threatening the existence of the universe.
After the demigods requested Lord Shiva for protection, he consumed the poison with the permission of Parvati Devi.
Following this, the churning of the ocean continued. Now, from the churning of the ocean came out the special Ucchaishrava horse, Airavata elephant, Surabhi cow, Parijata flower, Apsaras, Varuni, Lakshmi Devi and Lord Dhanvantari. The pot of Amrit was held by Lord Dhanvantari.
Seeing this, the demons were excited and snatched it away to avoid falling into the hands of the demigods.
But now that they had the pot of nectar in their hands, they were fighting over the drinking privileges. Each wanted to drink it first. They fought for a time equal to 12 years of the earthly time-zone before the Mohini incarnation of Lord Vishnu enchanted them and took away the pot of nectar. This is why the Kumbha Mela happens only every 12 years.
It was during this fight that a few drops of this elixir called as Amrita fell at four places on earth. Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar is one of those four places in Bharat Bhumi where it fell. This made this spot very sacred. Not just that, even Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva have visited this sacred spot.
Also, Har Ki Pauri is the spot where the sacred Ganga starts entering the Indo-Gangetic plains after travelling all the way from its source at the Gomukh glacier in the mountains.
The Kumbha Mela and Har Ki Pauri
Har Ki Pauri is intimately connected with the Kumbha Mela. Every 12 years, the Kumbha Mela is celebrated here. Not only every 12 years, an Ardha-Kumbha Mela is celebrated every six years. It is in commemoration of the falling of the drops of amrita here.
A holy dip in the Ganga here when the stars are lined up in a particular astrological combination is said to be very special. A holy dip here is said to wash away the effect of a person’s sinful activities usually but the effect multiplies many times during the Kumbha Mela.
The Maha Kumbha Mela happens every 144 years.
Places of Interest at Har Ki Pauri
One must never miss a holy dip at Brahma Kunda at Har Ki Pauri. A big nameboard marks the exact location of the ghat. Ganga-arati is also performed at this place.
One can have darshan of Mother Ganga’s divine vigraha at a temple which was constructed by Maharaja Man Singh. One can also have darshan of various small temples like Shankaracharya Mandir, Lakshmi Narayana Temple, Sakshishwar Mahadev, etc.
Beside Har Ki Pauri one can also relish snacks delicacies at eatery shops. Some shops offer snacks chats / snacks without onion-garlic too.
Best Time to Visit Har Ki Pauri
If you are looking for a cooler season to visit, the time-period between October to March would be a pleasant experience.
Otherwise, devotees visit round the year attending the evening programs.
How to Reach Har Ki Pauri
If you desire to take a holy dip in the sacred Ganga and witness the world-famous Ganga arati at Har Ki Pauri, be ready for the finest experience on the Char Dham Yatra conducted by Tirtha Yatra.
It is around five kilometres from central Haridwar city. You will get a taxi or autorickshaw there. For those who love walking, enjoy the scenic views and sacred vibes. Firstly, reach Haridwar using one or a combination of transportation modes –
By Road: Haridwar lies on NH 58, making it easily accessible from other cities and towns. Bus services abound. You can catch a taxi too from nearby cities like Dehradun.
By Rail: Haridwar Railway Station (HW) connects the city with the rest of the country. You will easily find a train halting at Haridwar from all over India.
By Air: The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport 35 kms away. You can fly in here and use the road or rail route to reach Haridwar. The IGI Airport at New Delhi is the nearest International Airport.
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