History
King Vikramaditya is credited with building the sacred ghat, which is more than two hundred years old. In honour of Bharati, the brother of King Vikramaditya, who meditated on these banks of the Ganges, Har Ki Pauri was constructed. The precise location of the morning and evening aartis is known as “Brahmakund,” where it is thought that the amrit droplets fell. Since Har ki Pauri has become a popular tourist destination, the ghats there have received extensive renovations and additions. Hargyan Singh Katara, a zamindar from Agra in Uttar Pradesh, completed the first extension in 1938, and he completed the second one in 1986.
The Ganga is credited with been transported from heaven to earth by the legendary ruler Bhagirath. According to local lore, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh – three immortal Gods – were present when Haridwar was blessed.
Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar
Thousands of people watch the Aarti offered to the Ganges. Har Ki Pauri has a supernatural feel to it because of the priests’ all-white attire, their carrying of big fire bowls, mantra chanting, and the sound of gongs coming from the temples. Between 5:30 and 6:30 in the morning and between 6:00 and 7:00 in the evening, Ganga Aarti is performed. The Ganges River is honoured during the Ganga Aarti ceremony in Haridwar.
Many pilgrims and tourists flock to see the big Ganga Aarti procession to hear the white-clad high priests sing hymns toward the sacred river. At Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, the Ganga Aarti is performed. One should attempt to arrive 30-45 minutes early to secure the best viewing location for the Ganga Aarti due to the intense crowds.The aarti is conducted by priests chosen by the Ganga Sabha. An NGO called Ganga Sabha oversees the morning and evening aartis at Har Ki Pauri and works with the government to maintain the ghats’ cleanliness and administration. Sit on the ghats on the other side of the temples for the greatest view.
You can also take a seat on “Malviya Dweep,” an island-style ghat. Every day, more than 3,000 people attend the Aarti, and the attendance increases on weekends. The magnificent Aarti is performed after the reciting of Pandit Jagannath’s Sanskrit poem “Ganga Lahari,” which serves as the opening act of the ceremony.
How to Reach Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar
On the banks of the Ganga, in the heart of Haridwar, lies a place called Har ki Pauri. From the bus stop in Haridwar, one can take an auto rickshaw to Har ki Pauri. The closest train station to Har ki Pauri is Haridwar (3 km) and the closest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (33 kms).
