Ghats of Haridwar
Every major bathing ghat on the Ganga in Haridwar — where it is, what it's known for, and who uses it.
Sacred river
Ganga
Where the river leaves the Shivalik hills and enters the plains
Principal ghat
Har Ki Pauri
On the Ganga canal channel, in the heart of the city
Two channels
Canal + Neel Dhara
The ghats line the canal; the main river runs to the east
The layout
Why Haridwar's ghats are on a canal
The first thing that surprises visitors is that most of Haridwar's famous ghats, Har Ki Pauri included, do not sit on the main stream of the Ganga at all. Just north of the city, the Bhimgoda barrage diverts a large share of the river into a channel that becomes the Upper Ganga Canal — the irrigation canal opened in the 1850s. The old city and its ghats line this western channel.
The main body of the river, known locally as the Neel Dhara, flows separately to the east, past the foot of Neel Parvat and the Chandi Devi hill. Between the two channels lie islands and open riverbed that are used as Mela grounds, parking and camp areas during the Kumbh.
The practical result: the ghats in town are fast-flowing but controlled, with chains and railings to hold on to, while bathing on the Neel Dhara side is more open and spread out. During the Mela, temporary ghats are added along both.
Directory
Every major ghat in Haridwar
From Har Ki Pauri outwards — what each ghat is known for and who uses it.
| Ghat | Where | Known for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Har Ki Pauri (Brahmakund) | Ganga canal, central Haridwar | The principal ghat; evening Ganga Aarti; main Amrit Snan venue | Everyone — busiest ghat in the city |
| Asthi Pravah Ghat | Within the Har Ki Pauri complex | Immersion of ashes of the departed | Families performing last rites |
| Vishnu Ghat | Just south of Har Ki Pauri | Tradition says Vishnu bathed here | Pilgrims wanting a quieter bath near the centre |
| Subhash Ghat | Next to Har Ki Pauri | Named after Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, whose statue stands here | Overflow from Har Ki Pauri; families |
| Gau Ghat | Near Subhash Ghat | Named for the sacred cow; prayers for peace of departed souls | Pilgrims and ritual bathers |
| Kushavarta Ghat | South of Har Ki Pauri | Built by the Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar; linked to Dattatreya | Shraddha and pind daan rites for ancestors |
| Ram Ghat | Central Haridwar | Associated with Rama in local tradition | Ritual bathers |
| Birla Ghat | Central Haridwar | Calmer ghat with greenery around it | Meditation and quiet bathing |
| Chandi Ghat | East bank, on the main Ganga (Neel Dhara) | Red-stone ghat at the foot of Neel Parvat, below Chandi Devi temple | Mela overflow bathing across the river |
Temporary ghats are added each Kumbh; the administration announces their locations closer to the event.
Beyond the centre
Sacred spots up and down the river
Bhimgoda Kund (north)
About a kilometre north of Har Ki Pauri, near the barrage. Tradition says Bhima struck the ground with his knee here to bring forth water.
Saptrishi area (further north)
Upstream, where the Ganga spreads into several streams. Tradition says the river divided into seven to avoid disturbing seven meditating sages. Ashrams line this stretch.
Kankhal (south)
The old settlement a few kilometres south, home of the Daksha Mahadev temple and Sati Kund, tied to the story of Sati and Daksha. Many akhadas and ashrams have permanent bases here.
Chandi Ghat (east)
Across the main river at the foot of Neel Parvat, below the Chandi Devi temple — the gateway to the eastern Mela grounds.
Worth knowing
Kumbh ground in Haridwar
During the Kumbh, the Mela spreads over both banks and the islands between the channels — areas such as the Bairagi Camp, Pantdweep and the Neel Dhara side are commonly used for akhada camps, parking and bathing zones. Exact layouts change each cycle.
Event dates: Haridwar on Kumbh Mela Dates →
Getting there
Reaching the ghats
| From | To | Approx. distance | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haridwar Junction railway station | Har Ki Pauri | ~2–3 km | Auto, e-rickshaw or walk |
| ISBT / Roadways bus stand | Har Ki Pauri | ~2–3 km | Auto, e-rickshaw or walk |
| Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) | Har Ki Pauri | ~35 km | Cab |
| Har Ki Pauri | Kushavarta / Vishnu Ghat | Few hundred m | Walk along the ghats |
| Har Ki Pauri | Chandi Ghat | ~3–4 km | Auto or cab across the river |
| Har Ki Pauri | Kankhal (Daksha Mahadev) | ~4–5 km | Auto or cab |
| Har Ki Pauri | Rishikesh | ~25 km | Bus, shared auto or cab |
Approximate distances. During the Kumbh, vehicles are held outside the ghat zone and the final stretch is on foot.
On the ghat
Bathing safely in Haridwar
Hold the chains
The water is cold and fast even in the canal. Use the chains and railings at the steps and never go past the marked area.
Mornings are calmer
Early morning is the quietest time at Har Ki Pauri; from late afternoon the crowd builds for aarti.
Try a quieter ghat
If Har Ki Pauri is packed, Vishnu, Subhash or Birla Ghat are a few minutes' walk away.
Cold water, especially in winter
Snowmelt keeps the Ganga cold much of the year. Take a quick dip and have dry clothes ready.
Keep valuables minimal
There are no lockers on the steps. Bathe in turns if you're in a group.
Agree fees upfront
Priests offer puja and shraddha services on most ghats. Agree what is being done and the dakshina first.
Keep exploring
Continue exploring
Har Ki Pauri guide
History, Brahmakund and the evening aarti.
Haridwar overview
The city, the river and how to reach it.
Ghats of Prayagraj
Compare with the Sangam city.
Questions
Frequently asked
Har Ki Pauri, with its sacred Brahmakund, is the principal ghat and the focus of the Kumbh and the daily Ganga Aarti.
There are many dozens of ghats along the Ganga in and around Haridwar. The best known include Har Ki Pauri, Vishnu, Subhash, Gau, Kushavarta, Ram, Birla and Chandi Ghat.
The Bhimgoda barrage north of the city diverts water into the Upper Ganga Canal channel, which the old city and its ghats line. The main stream (Neel Dhara) flows separately to the east.
Kushavarta Ghat is traditionally used for shraddha and pind daan. Ash immersion is done at Asthi Pravah Ghat near Har Ki Pauri.
Vishnu, Subhash and Birla Ghat are nearby and usually calmer; Chandi Ghat across the river is more open.
About 2–3 km. Autos and e-rickshaws run between them, or you can walk.