Friday, April 19, 2019

Hari ke Dwar – Haridwar

No pilgrimage or spiritual journey in India is complete without a trip to Haridwar; the land of mythologies at the foothills of Himalayas. Located on the banks of the Ganges, Haridwar is considered as the holiest place to wash away sins. For those looking at a weekend break, Haridwar is a comforting haven that holds the confidence of spiritual pursuers from across the world.

We reached Dehradun airport by evening and hired a cab to Haridwar, which is approx. 40 kms away. The weather was pleasant and was getting cooler by the time we reached our hotel Hotel Le Roi, Haridwar @ Har Ki Pauri Road, which is strategically located next to Haridwar station.

Getting around the place is easy with different types of rickshaws (cycle rickshaw, e-rickshaw, regular rickshaw) available at reasonable rates. You also have the option to hire a cab for the day to take you around. The cab option may turn out to be economical as well as a time saver if you want to explore maximum places in a day if you are a first time visitor like us. You can also leisurely walk around the place if you are up to it.

We experienced and explored the holy city of Haridwar by following the below trail over a day and half
Haridwar > GhantaGhar > Har ki Pauri > Ganga Mata Temple and Mahadev-Parvati temple at Har ki Pauri > Morning aarti at Har ki Pauri > Shitala Mata Mandir > Daksheshwar Mahadev Mandir > Mata Anandmayi Ashram > Chandi Devi temple > Vaishno Devi Mandir > Bharat Mata Mandir > Mansa Devi Mandir > Evening aarti at Har ki Pauri > Head to Rishikesh

As we begin our journey, frantic locals and relaxed pilgrims head to their respective destinations as chimes of temple bells and faint chanting of the priests echo through the ambiguous lanes and alleys.... 


Har ki Pauri: Literally meaning the ‘footstep of God’, is a holy bank on the river Ganga. The place is brimming with people wanting to take a dip in the sacred waters. Every morning at the wake of dawn and every evening at sundown as dusk sets in, Ganga aarti is performed at the ghat, with bells ringing and flaming torches. Har ki Pauri has become my favourite place in Haridwar. I thoroughly enjoyed peacefully sitting by the ghat and soaking in the good vibes around me.


Ganga Aarti at Har ki Pauri: The Ganga aarti organized every evening near GhantaGhar at Har Ki Pauri is a mesmerizing experience that must not be missed by anyone. Be sure to reach an hour to two early to catch your seat at a vantage point, which will allow you to have a good view of the proceedings.
The peace in your soul is palpable as you experience the Ganga Aarti at Har ki Pauri. You are transported into a different world as the bells ring, the chants are recited, and the hymns are sung by the priests when performing the pooja.




Float A Wish: Post the aarti, you may want to float a wish in the Ganges by offering flowers, diya and incense sticks neatly placed in leaves. These are easily available along the ghat. Don’t forget to come back to Haridwar to thank Ganga Maiyya when your wish comes true.


Take a dip in holy waters: It would be a sin to come to Haridwar and not take a dip in Bramhakund at Har ki Pauri. Being a part of hordes of devotees who take a dip in the freezing waters of the mighty Ganga is an experience in itself, especially early in the morning. It surely tops the list of things to do in Haridwar. Take a holy dip or soak your feet, but be sure to cleanse your sins here

Temple Hopping: The ancient temples and ashrams in the primordial city of Haridwar see thousands of devotees around the year.
(L-R) Temple view at Har ki Pauri, Ganga Mata Temple & Mahadev-Parvati temple at Har ki Pauri and Shri Daksheshwara Mahadev temple
  • Visit the Ganga Mata Temple and Mahadev-Parvati temple at Har ki Pauri when you are there to take the holy dip or participate in the aarti.
  • The Shitala Mata temple on the riverbank, Shri Daksheshwara Mahadev temple, the Chandi Devi temple on Neel Parvat are some of the other important temples.
  • The Mansa Devi temple atop the Bilwa Parvat is very popular as she is considered to be the wish-fulfilling goddess. You can either walk up the hill or take the cable car.
  • Maya Devi temple, Vaishno Devi temple and Bharat Mata temple are some of the popular ones.
  • Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple completes the trio of popular siddhpeeth in Haridwar.

Food Trail: Haridwar is renowned for its street food. The kulhad chai / lassi / coffee is a must have. The aloo puri at Mohanji Puriwale and the kachoris at Kashyap Kachoriwala are to die for. Try the sweets at Mathura Walon Ki Prachin Dukaan.

Local Shopping: Don’t forget to carry the Gangajal back home. It’s the most pure here. There are shops around the ghat that sell gallons and bottles in varying size for you to have your fill directly from the river.
Shopping is really not one of the prime attractions in Haridwar due to the city’s religious roots. However, if you wish to explore, there are Moti Bazar, Jwalapur, Bara Bazar and Kankhal. These are scattered across the city selling mostly handicrafts, religious curios, and ayurvedic medicines.


Harr Harr Gange! Namami Gange!

The Herb Farm - Igatpuri


Wanting to get away from the hustle bustle of the city, we were scouting for a scenic, easily accessible place to chill over the weekend. That’s how we discovered The Herb Farm, which is situated near the Darna river lake in Mundhegaon, along the Mumbai- Nasik highway. 

Situated along a small village enveloped by dense forest, The Herb Farm has eight raised cottages that are built on pillars. Each cottage is named after an herb, to reflect the green and beige colored theme of this premium resort. 

As you climb the stairs to enter the cottage, you are welcomed by 
a nice spacious balcony with comfortable seating for two.

PC: Google Images
The compact rooms are neat, clean, self-contained and well maintained.

PC: Google Images
The glass roofed bathroom is spacious and well stocked with toiletries.

The property offers a host of outdoor activities that one can choose from. It has a small swimming pool, cycles, badminton rackets, and a few other indoor games. Each cottage has a hammock tied to the pillars. 

There’s a small garden patch lined with canopies and wooden benches 

for those wanting to just chill away in cool hours. 

There are also a few resting decks lined with recliner chairs, 
which face the water bodies.

Just sit back, relax and soak in the scenic view…

The pathway from the cottages to the restaurant is nicely pebbled and lined with colourful flora and fauna that only enhance the charm of the place. 

The restaurant serves some delicious vegetarian fare. The staff is well mannered and helpful. For breakfast, it’s a good idea to check with the kitchen chef what’s on menu and order that. The vegetables and fruits are freshly picked from the farm. If you are lucky, you may get to pick some fresh veggies of the season. Also, when checking out, if the owner is around, he may give the farm fresh produce to you (subject to availability).

During our stay, we were blessed to experience the presence of a few Jain monks who had made a pit stop there for the night before moving on to their next destination. The staff ensured they followed the ritualistic Do’s & Don’t’s when taking care of the monks. Truly impressed by the same.

Things to do around:
  • Explore the vineyards – Sula, York, Vallonne
  • Relish a meal at Malaka Spice at Vallonne Vineyards
  • Walk along the Vaitarna Lake / Dam
  • Visit Dhamma Giri, the Vipassana International Academy at Igatpuri

We would love to experience the place in different seasons. The Herb Farm is an ideal destination for monsoons and winters. In summers, the heat could get unbearable and not allow you to experience the place as it’s meant to be. Enjoy the sound of the rain and the blanket of lush greenery in monsoons. Warm up to the winter bonfire as conversations flow freely over music and drinks.

PC: Google Images
The tropical beauty of its natural surroundings, makes The Herb Farm a pleasant mainstay destination for a weekend stay.