Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun Trip

Haridwar

Day1 Haridwar Arrival, Local market and Har Ki Pauri

We reached Haridwar station on 13Nov at 5pm. Ganga aarti time at Har ki Pauri is 5:30pm so we couldn't do aarti on same day. We got into Hotel Gayatri Classic and then visited local market towards har ki paudi. We enjoyed rabadi, kadhai milk, sweet potato and Singhada chat. We also saw Lakshman Dhanush bridge (shape like a bow).

Day2 Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi and Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar 

We went to take darshan of Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi at 8am. The combined ticket for Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi at Rs. 444 includes the cable car ( Also called Gandola or Udan khatola) and bus ride connecting the two sites. Kids above 110cm will be charged full ticket. We were back at 1:30pm at hotel.

Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi sit atop hills blanketed in green forests. Together with Maya Devi on the banks of Haridwar, the three are the city’s Siddh Peeths [believed to fulfil wishes]. Mansa and Chandi are avatars of Parvati, Shiva’s consort, and are usually found next to each other.

*Mansa Devi Temple

The Sivalik Hills, the southernmost peak range of the Himalayas, contain the Bilwa Parvat, where Mansa Devi temple is situated. If you do not want to take gandola ride then you can climb also.

*Chandi Devi Temple

The Sivalik Hills, the southernmost mountain range of the Himalayas, have Chandi Devi temple perched atop the Neel Parvat on its eastern summit.

Other places in Haridwar

Shri Ganga bridge Haridwar (🕉 shape)

Jain Temple, 

Gurukul Kangri University, 

Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar, 

Bilkeshwar Mahadev, 

Bharat Mata Mandir, 

Kankhal, Bhimgoda Tank, 

Doodhadhari Barfani Temple,

Suresvari Devi Temple, 

Pawan Dham, 

Parad Shivling, 

Anandamayi Maa Ashram and Patanjali Yogpeeth. 

Ghats in Haridwar Hari ki Pauri Ghat, Kushwan Ghat, Mahila Ghat (Girls and Womens Ghat), Subhash Ghat.

*Har ki pauri

In evening around 4pm we headed towards har ki pauri ganga aarti point. Everyone was sitting and enjoyed the amazing experience. After aarti we visited all temples which are on ghat. We had holy

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Rishikesh

Day3 Neelkanth Mahadev, Ram Jhula  Geeta Bhavan, Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Janki Jhula and Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh

We caught a sharing auto (also called Vikram) to Ram jhula (70rs each) at 8am. Once we reached there we got a shared sumo vehicle which takes 250rs per person to and from Shree Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.

Shree Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Neelkanth, outside Rishikesh, has an interesting myth associated with it. The temple is built on the exact spot where Shiva  done is believed to have swallowed the poisons which emanated from the churning of the oceans by the gods and demons in their quest to obtain amrit [elixir for eternal life]. The poison turned Shiva’s throat blue, hence the name Neelkanth meaning “blue throat.”

Neelkanth is 32 kilometres outside Rishikesh.

Ram Jhula

Ram Jhula is a larger bridge located 2 kilometres downstream of Lakshman Jhula.

In the Indian state of Uttarakhand, 3 kilometres to the northeast of Rishikesh, sits the Ram Jhula, an iron suspension bridge that spans the Ganges.

Parmarth Niketan Ashram

Chant the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Ashram as the sun sets

Along the banks of the Ganges, under the shadow of the beautiful Himalayas, is where you'll find Parmarth Niketan. In 1942, Pujya Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj founded the ashram (1901–1965). Since 1986, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj has served as the organization's president and spiritual leader. Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati has been residing and teaching at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram for the past 25 years.

Janki Jhula

We used it to return to the main road. From main road we took Auto to reach Triveni Ghat.

Triveni Ghat

A ghat called Triveni Ghat is located in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. On the banks of the Ganges, it is the largest and most well-known ghat in Rishikesh. Devotees continue to fill Triveni Ghat with crowds as they take ritual baths to atone for their sins.

We enjoyed Ganga aarti here with live bhajan and crowd dance.

Other places of Rishikesh

Neer waterfall - 5km, 30rs entry

Bharat Mandir,

Lakshman Jhula

Day4 Robbers cave(Gucchu Paani), Tapkeshwar Mahadev and FRI in Dehradun

at 7am we caught bus to Dehradun from bus stand (120rs each). We reached at 9:30am and checked in to nearby Hotel Sumangalam. After putting luggange we started for sightseeing.

Robbers cave(Gucchu Paani)

We caught a shared Tata magic (35rs each) from under bridge near ISBT (Bus stand). It took around 1hr to reach there.

Entry ticket : 35rs

It is actually a gorge (open from top, not a cave). It has about 2 to 3 inches deep water flowing all the time. Depending on the season the water level varies from ankle to waist deep so check with the locals / hotel and be prepared. 

Carry some slippers and wear shorts.

Better to wear slippers to enter and those are available on rent there for a nominal fee of Rs 10. Wearing slippers is not mandatory. There are some food joints.  you can enjoy tea and other food items. 

At 2:30pm we got free and then booked an on spot auto to visit FRI and Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple in 850rs.

Tapkeshwar Temple

Stop: 60 minutes

This temple also has maa Vaishnodevi gufa and big Hanuman ji statue. Small water stream is flowing from center.

Forest Research Institute - 

Average time spent: 60 minutes 

Ticket: 15rs each and 20rs for allowing auto inside.

Forest Research Institute (FRI), a premier institution for forestry research and education. You will be amazed by the grand colonial architecture of the institute and its lush green surroundings

Day5 Sahastradhara and Mindrolling Monastery (Budhda Temple) in Dehradun 

Sahastradhara 

Average time spent: 2-3 hr

Sahastradhara, a popular tourist spot known for its natural beauty and therapeutic properties. Sahastradhara, meaning "thousand-fold spring," is a series of waterfalls and pools formed by the water from the Baldi River. 

There is a rope way (200rs each) to Sai temple.

Mindrolling Monastery 

Average time spent: 30min to 1 hr

Timing: 10am to 7pm. It is closed in the afternoon, from 12 pm to 2 pm.

Mindrolling Monastery, one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India. Here, you can immerse yourself in the peaceful ambiance, marvel at the intricate architecture, and learn about Tibetan culture, history, and Buddhist practices.

The Mindrolling Monastery in Dehradun is a Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma school of Buddhism. There's an impressive 35 metre high gilded statue of a standing Buddha. There's also several stupas which you can climb up to get a birds eye view of the whole complex.

This is a serene place to visit. A huge area with calm environment. There are 3 temples to visit here. Even if you aren't a Buddhist you can enjoy the peace here and can meditate. The vibe is peaceful even on sunday. For entering the temple u have to enter without footwear. They have a locker for ₹3 per pair. No tickets for entry. But a nominal charge for car parking at ₹50. They have a huge campus for school, college, cafe, shops, temple and a lot more.

300m away Buddha temple

Other places to visit in Dehradun

Shree Prakasheswar Mahadev Mandir Dehradun

Timing: 8am to 9pm