Top 5 Hidden Places In Haridwar In 2023

Haridwar, an ancient city in the state of Uttarakhand, is one of India's most revered pilgrimage sites. People from all over the world come to Haridwar to spend time in peace and tranquillity while paying their respects to the Holy River Ganga. This holy city has much more to offer than temple hopping, spending a few days in the Ashrams, or enjoying the local cuisine. Here is a list of four undiscovered hidden gems in Haridwar.

1. Evening Yatra at Daksha Mahadev Temple

Everyone is familiar with Har Ki Pauri's evening aarti ritual, but not everyone is familiar with the same (or better) aarti experience that you can get at this temple. This temple, about 4 kilometers from Haridwar, is where, according to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati jumped into the fire after being scorned by her father, Daksha. Angered by this act, Lord Shiva and Daksha engaged in a massive fight here.

From here, you can see the calm flowing Ganga River, and as it gets closer to dusk, an evening aarti with melodious sounds from musical instruments and ancient rituals begins, which is nothing short of magic to your eyes and music to your ears.

2. Bharat Mata Mandir

Bharat Mata Mandir, which stands 180 feet tall, is located in Motichur and is one of many places of interest that remain unexplored near Haridwar. This temple is dedicated to Mother India and was built to commemorate the sacrifices of all patriots and freedom fighters. Each of the temple's eight stories depicts a different theme dedicated to various legends and deities.

3. Kankhal

Kankhal, a small colony near Haridwar, is one of many places of interest. The Daksheswara Mahadev Temple is probably the only reason people know about this destination. Other tourist attractions in the area include the Maa Anandamoyi Ashram and the Patanjali Yogpeeth. Another little-known fact about this place is that it is one of the 'Five Pilgrimages' in Haridwar, along with Har ki Pauri, Kushwart (Ghat in Kankhal), Bilwa Teerth (Mansa Devi Temple), and Neel Parvat (Chandi Devi Temple).

4. Sapt Rishi Ashram

The Sapt Rishi Ashram, also known as the Sapt Sarovar, is an interesting and historically significant location in Haridwar. The name means "abode of the seven sages" in Sanskrit.

According to legend, the ashram is located where the famous Saptarshi, or seven sages, Kashyapa, Vashishta, Vishwamitra, Atri, Jamadagni, Gautama, and Bharadwaja, met.

The Ganga is said to have formed seven current flows to honor the sage at this location.

5. Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary

The Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary, located only 3.4 kilometers from the city of Haridwar, is a less visited but beautiful tourist destination. It was founded in 1977 and is located on the east bank of the Ganga River. The sanctuary is well-known for its adventurous jeep safaris and elephant rides. It is home to a variety of wild animal species, including wild boar, tigers, elephants, barking deer, peacocks, quails, hornbills, sambhar, and spot deer, among others. A forest rest house in the middle of the jungle provides tourists with lodging.