Activity: Ashram visit
Location: Haridwar

About Haridwar

Haridwar is one of the most important Pilgrimage sites and is also considered one of the seven holy places in India. ‘Hari’ is another name of Lord Vishnu and ‘Dwar’ means ‘Gateway’ which makes sense as Haridwar is the point of entry to Badrinath, Temple of Lord Vishnu, along with the other three of Chardham. This is one of the reasons Haridwar is considered sacred. Haridwar was previously named ‘Gangadwara’ which translates to ‘Gateway of Ganga’ as the river Ganga which is again holy for Hindus enters the Indo-Gangetic Plain here in Haridwar after flowing for almost 157kms.
Haridwar has very much importance religiously for Hindus, It is one of the four places where Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years in rotation and Ardh Kumbh after every six years. It is a mythological belief that during the fight between demons and Gods for the elixir of immortality, a drop fell in Har Ki Pauri. So it is believed taking a dip in Brahmakund on this day is auspicious. It is said that the legendary King Bhagirath brought Ganga on Earth from heaven so he can provide salvation to his ancestors.
Haridwar is one of the oldest living towns which has been mentioned in scriptures before the era of Buddha. Apart from these, Haridwar is famous for its Ayurvedic and herbal medicines and Gurukul School of traditional education.

About Ashram

An ashram is a place for people willing to go for spiritual or religious retreats. It is a place for learning meditation and artistic matters. Many people stay in ashrams as volunteers and anyone can stay as a volunteer following the guidance of the Ashram. The ashrams have basic facilities of living quarters, basic vegetarian food, dining hall, yoga, and meditating hall, library, and garden. 

Ashram in Haridwar

Jai Ram Ashram, along with its free accommodation, is also famous for the diorama exhibition of a massive statue depicting the whole episode of Samudra Mantan and other white sculptures of Hindu Gods. It is one of the oldest Ashrams of Haridwar built in the year 1981 by Adi Guru SriJairam Maharaj. The Ashram has 512 rooms with modern facilities, a Homeopathy dispensary, gardens with a water fountain, a charitable hospital, and a gaushala. The Ashram offers free health check-ups, Vedic and Sanskrit studies. It also holds regular Bhajan kirtan and Community weddings. It is situated in Bhimgoda just a kilometer away from Har Ki Pauri, 36.5 km away from Jolly Grant Airport, and 6 kilometers away from Haridwar Jn.

Prem Nagar Ashram provides a halcyon stay with 800 rooms and a huge Satsang Hall which has quotes engraved of many saints and spiritual souls of India. It has lush green gardens with water fountains. The environment here is very spiritual. It is one of the oldest ashrams of Haridwar built by Yogiraj Satgurudev Hansji Maharaj in 1943 and later developed by Jagat Janani Shri Mataji and Sri Satpal Ji Maharaj. The Ashram does activities like Daily Bhajan and Kirtan, Yoga, and Meditation, free medical check-ups, and light and sound show every Wednesday and Sunday. It is situated just 5 km away from Haridwar Jn and 35 km away from Jolly Grant Airport.

Shantikunj Ashram is a huge Ashram with a spiritual tranquil environment encouraging meditation and yoga which attracts tourists, pilgrims, and saints in huge numbers. It is also a center for Yug Nirman Yojnawith the motive to reconstruct the era that teaches “Divinity in mankind is the foremost Objective of life.” and the headquarter of ‘All world Gayatri Pariwar’. Its motive is to revive the ancient Rishi traditions. Ashram also holds events like Ganga Arti, Yagya, Bhajan Kirtan, free medical check-ups, and yoga & meditation. The Ashram has a Yagya Hall, Akhand Deepak, temples of ancient Rishis, Gayatri Mata Temple, Devmata Himalaya Temple, and an exhibition of Divine Culture. The Shantikunj Ashram is Located 45 km away from Jolly Grant Airport and almost 6 km away from Haridwar Jn.

Saptrishi Ashram is famous as the place where 7great sages, Kashyapa, Vashist, Vishwamitra, Atri, Jamadagi, Bharadwaja, and Gautam meditated and for the serene environment here, established by Guru Goswami Dutt in 1943. The Ashram is also known as Sapt Sarovar or Sapt Kund because of the mythological reason that the ashram is situated where the River Ganga was split into seven streams so that the sages as their meditation got disturbed by the gushing sound of water. For this significance, this ashram is placed in high esteem by Rishis, saints, and sages. The ashram has well-maintained residential hostels for its guests and a Sanskrit school for poor children. It holds events like Ganga Aarti, Yoga, and Meditation, Bhajan Kirtan, etc. The Ashram is located 7km from Haridwar Jn and 30 km from Jolly Grant Airport.

Kutchi Lalrameshwar Ashram is known for its tranquil and pleasing environment.  Events like Yagya, Havan, Yoga and meditation, Bhajan Kirtan, Diwali Mahotsav, etc keep happening here. The Ashram also provides Gurukul education. The ashram was established for Kutchis coming to Haridwar giving them a feel of Home away from home by Bhagwan Odhavram. The Ashram is situated at 6.7km from Haridwar Jn. and 43.7km from Jolly Grant airport.

Shri Chetan Jyoti Ashram is known for its free lodging and boarding service without any discrimination between the rich and poor, encouraging mankind to serve every community. The Ashram has a complex to stay in, a dining hall, temple, garden, and parking area. It was established in the year 1997. It is located 4.3km from Haridwar Jn. and 36km from Jolly Grant Airport.

Maa Anandamayi Ashram is dedicated to Sri Ma Anandamayi, known as a prominent mystic and spiritual personality. The ashram has the samadhi of Ma Anandamayi. It has multiple buildings for Yoga and meditation. The Ashram conducts events like Ma Anandamayi Satsang, Meditation and Yoga, Moral and Spiritual Training  Camps, Bhajan Kirtan, etc. It is situated at 4.7 km from Haridwar Jn. and 41.8km from Jolly Grant Airport.

Best Time To Visit Haridwar

• Summer ( March - June ) March is the best time of summer to visit as it’s neither too hot nor too cold. One can witness beautiful sunsets and sunrises in this season. Celebrations of Ramnavami and Saavn Festival are done at this time which is worth experiencing. Other fairs like Kumbh Mela and Ardh Kumbh Mela which happen every 12 and 6 years respectively are also held during summers which attract crowds in millions are also worth experiencing.
• Monsoon ( July - September ) Haridwar receives moderate rainfall yet enough to bring the risk of landslides. Also, there’s enough humidity, therefore, it’s suggested to not travel in this season.
• Winter ( October - February ) Winter is one of the best times to visit Haridwar for Pilgrims as well as for tourists as one can experience festivals celebrated in this season like Diwali, Kartik Purnima, and the Ganga Artis.

How to Reach Haridwar

Haridwar by Air

 The nearest airport to Haridwar is Jolly Grant Airport (DED) which connects flights from airports of many metropolitan cities like Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), Trivandrum International Airport (TRV), etc. From the Jolly Grant Airport, taxis or cab services to Haridwar are available.

Haridwar by Train

The nearest railway station to Haridwar is Haridwar Jn (HW). Haridwar has good train line connectivity from all major cities all around the country. Major routes are from Allahabad Jn, Howrah Jn, and Ahmedabad Jn. Weekly 2 trains run from Allahabad Jn to Haridwar Jn, 6 trains in a week from Ahmedabad Jn to Haridwar Jn, and daily trains available from Howrah Jn in Kolkata, Puri Jn, and New Delhi to Haridwar.
Kalingautkalexp(18478) 
Hw Dli Exp(04058)
Hw Adi Mail(19106) are a few famous weekly trains.
Delhi to Haridwar
Jan Shatabdi SPL
DDN Festival SPL
DDN Shatabdi SPL
Kota DDN SPL

Haridwar by Road

The roads connecting Haridwar are well maintained by the in Uttrakhand. Haridwar is well connected by road with Delhi and other cities of Uttarakhand. Haridwar from Delhi is at a distance of 225 km which can be covered in 6 and a half hours if done via National highway 334. Other cities of Uttarakhand connecting Haridwar are Dehradun at 51.3km, Rishikesh at 20.6km, Tehri at 94.3 km, and Mussoorie at 81.6 km.
Delhi to Haridwar UPSRTC buses is available.

Things To Carry in Haridwar

• ID Proof: Carry a valid ID proof issued by the government.
• Clothing: Winter- Warm Clothing (Down Jacket/Fleece Jacket, Woolen Cap/scarf, Hat, Lowers, Woolen & Cotton Socks, Thermal wears, Cotton Towels. Summer- Regular clothes, Fleece Jacket, Shoes & Shocks.
• Toiletries: Lip Balm, Wet wipes, Skin Moisturizer, Sunscreen.
• Medical: Personal medicines (if any), Mosquito repellent, prescribed medicines for high altitude sickness, Dehydration Salt.
• Optional: Sunglasses, Rubber Slipper, Power Bank, Candy, Dust Mask, Etc.

Do`s & Don`ts in Haridwar

Do’s

• Start trip early in the morning 
• Carry proper travel essentials
• Wear appropriate clothes while visiting the Temple or religious places 

Don’ts

• Do not throw anything in the Ashram, respect the people of Ashram
• Do not disrespect any religious or cultural beliefs
• Do not get fooled by fake people asking for money in the names of NGO’s