Haridwar Rishikesh Kedarnath Tour Packages

The ancient city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand has been a major Hindu pilgrimage site for centuries. Located where the sacred River Ganga emerges from the base of the Himalayas, it’s considered one of the 7 Sapta Puri. The Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years, is also celebrated here. The sacred city of Haridwar offers a colourful and fascinating blend of culture and offers the best tourist places in Haridwar. Being one of the seven holiest cities in India, Haridwar often bustles with devotees. It propitious location near the holy River Ganga has made it gain more popularity.

With the passage of time, it has become more than just a religious city, where people thronged to perform immersion of the ashes or took a dip in the water to wash away their sins. It has in fact evolved into Yoga, cultural and spiritual centre and has also become a prime hub for learning Sanskrit language The modern day, Haridwar is the reflection of the culture of India and thus offer much to its visitors. Here is the list of best 12 places that one must see in this holy city.

While religion plays an important role in Haridwar – many visitors are pilgrims and devotees – there’s more to this holy city. The cuisine is excellent and food lovers eager to try authentic Indian fare will find their palates satiated many times over. Travelers in search of yoga ashrams and centers hoping to improve their physical and mental health won’t be left wanting either. If you’re eager to experience the tourist places in Haridwar, read on to know the best time to visit, how to get here and where to stay.

The little town of Rishikesh, serves as an entrance to the Garhwal Himalayas, and is located in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand. It is considered the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ and has significant religious and spiritual significance. Legend has it that saints and sages are said to have meditated here in search of enlightenment and peace. The dense Sal forests and the holy Ganga river flowing through Rishikesh make the town peaceful and refreshing.

Some of the places to visit in Rishikesh include the suspension bridges of Ram and Lakshman Jhula, which connect temples, markets, and ashrams of on both sides. You can see the 13-story Trimbakeshwar Temple and the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, within the dense jungle that surrounds the Nar-Narayan mountain range. In the evening, you can witness the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat which is a spiritual ceremony including prayer, fire lamps, and chants.

For those seeking adventure sport in Rishikesh can go bungee jumping from India's highest point, try white water rafting on swift-moving river rapids, cliff jump, kayak, and body surf. Those who love nature can hike to the Neer Garh and Patna waterfalls or set up camp by the Ganga river. Thus, gather your belongings and head to Rishikesh city for the ideal holiday amidst adventure, spirituality, and breathtaking scenery.

1. Type of destination: pilgrimage, adventure, nature, meditation, and yoga
2. Prime season: March to May
3. Languages spoken: Garhwali, Hindi, English
4. Local Modes of transport available: taxis, auto-rickshaws, buses, bicycles, private vehicles

Kedarnath etymologically translates to ‘Lord of the Field.’ It is a dainty town in Uttarakhand and is an ancient pilgrimage site. It is popular for the Kedarnath Temple, and according to mythology, it was built by the Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata.

The temperature in Kedarnath varies from -2 to 28 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit this hill station is either from May – June or September – October. If you are a pilgrim going to the site of Kedarnath Temple, then avoid visiting the temple during winters (November – March). Due to the decrease in temperature and heavy snowfall, the temple stays shut during this period. Since monsoons (July – August) come with the hindrance of landslides, visits to Kedarnath are avoided during this time as well.

If you are visiting the Kedarnath temple, then you must visit the Bhairavnath Temple, located at a distance of 500 meters from there. The temple enshrines an incarnation of Lord Shiva, Lord Bhairav. Perched atop a hill, it offers a magnificent view of the Himalayan ranges with mesmerizing beauty. Apart from the Kedarnath Temple, there are several other tourist attractions in Kedarnath. One such attraction is Vasuki Tal, a lake built at an altitude of 4135 meters. It requires a moderate to difficult trekking experience and is a haven for trekkers.

You must have heard of the Adwaita philosophy propounded by Sri Shankaracharya. Kedarnath has another historical shrine known as the Shankaracharya Samadhi. It is said that Sri Shankaracharya attained Nirvana at the age of 32 at this place. Sonprayag here is known to be the place where Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati. It is also the confluence of the rivers Mandakini and Basuki. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and frosty trees, Sonprayag is a cultural-historical site of attraction. Do keep in mind that Kedarnath is mostly cold throughout the year, so pack warm clothes.