History, Importance, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri Ghat, Haridwar
Har Ki Pauri is one of the famous Ghats of Haridwar on the bank of the one of the seven sacred river Ganga in state of Uttarakhand. It is the place where Ganga leaves the mountain and enters into plains area. Har ki Pauri is popular Ghat due to Kumbh Mela which is held every after 12 years and the Ardh Mela which is held every 6 years when millions of devotee and tourist across the world visits. It is believed that drop of nectar – Amrit fell down here at Har ki Pauri during the battle between devas and asuras. For this it is considered as one of the holiest place to take bath in the river Ganga. Ganga Aarti held in Brahamakunda the place where Lord Shiv and Lord Vishnu visited is the key attraction here at Hari Ki Pauri every evening and morning. Ganga Aarti, the worship of holy River Ganga is representing the pure devotion towards the divine mother who gives the life in the form of water.
Hari ki Pauri, Ghat was constructed on the banks of the Ganga by king Vikramaditya to commemorate his brother Brithari’s penance to get divine blessings. According to Indian mythology it is believed that at this spot the Amrit (nectar) felled on earth by Garuda after the Samudra Manthan. It is also believed that lord Vishnu had visited the Brahamakunda as a step of footprint is been observed in the stone wall and people believed it’s the lord Vishnu footprint.
Every day number of people take a holy dip in the one of the seven most sacred river Ganges as it is believed that Ganga Snaan helps to washes away all sins . The Ganga aarti in Haridwar which is held twice-once in the morning and once in the evening. The time of the Aarti depends upon the sunrise and the sunset of that particular day. Usually the Aarti is held between 5:30am to 6:30am in the morning and in the evening 6pm to 7pm. The priest holds large fire bowls in their hands, the gongs in the temples at the Ghat are rung and chants fill the air. People float Diya’s, with burning flickers and flowers in them as symbol of hopes and wishes. Due to the high rush during Aarti, it is advisable to reach bit early before time so you can enjoy the spiritual environment and feel the positive aura of surrounding area.
All Activities you wanted to know about Ganga Aarti, Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar
The first activity of Ganga Aarti, Haridwar is, carrying the idol of Holy River Ganga in Palkhi by priests from temple located near the Ghat. Then Idol is placed on the platform of ghat near river ganga. Then several panditji come and starts the grand ceremony with chanting Sanskrit slokas along with offering things as cotton, colors, milk, honey, suger, curd, ghee etc. After this worship, they starts singing Ganga Lahari - A Sankrit Poem written by Pundit Jagannath. After the Ganga Lahari the pundits takes promise from everyone to not to pollute the holy river Ganga. Then entire surrounding is blessed with chanting of "Har Har Gange, Jai Ma Gange" for some time. Then main Ganga Aarti starts, pandits lights the Aartis and you can hear the Ganga Aarti song on loudspeaker with the background music of bells. This song is for 5 mins during which you can see several panditji waving Aarti in front of holy river Ganga. For better view of Ganga Aarti, you can seat on the small island type of Ghat known as "Malviya Dwip". From here you can see the priest performing the Ganga Aarti clearly in front of you along with flow of river Gange.
Ganga Aarti Timing Haridwar, The world famous Har Ki Pauri Aarti Time
It is believed that world popular Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri was started by Pundit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1910. Recently he was awarded as "Bharat Ratna" highest civilian award by government of India. The small island infront of Har Ki Pauri Ghat is named after him.
Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is organized twice in day, morning at sunrise and evening at sunset time. The Ganga Aarti starts time depends on the sunrise and sunset. Generally Morning Ganga Aarti in Haridwar arranged between 5.30 A.M. to 6.30 AM and Evening Ganga Aarti held between 6 P.M to 7 P.M. So it is advisable to reach at Har Ki Pauri before 30 min of Ganga Aarti time and stand at suitable place to avoid rush and clear Darshan and view of Ganga Aarti Haridwar.
Evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is very popular and thousands of devotee and tourist reaches here. To avoid heavy rush and for peaceful Ganga Aarti view, you should attend Morning Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
Ganga Aarti is performed by the panditji selected by Ganga Sabha, the NGO who is managing Ganga Aarti. Ganga Sabha is also manages the Ghat with help of govt.
You will see some people from various NGO or social welfare group asking for donations for helping poor people and managing Gaushala, but it is not compulsory to do the donation. It is up to you only.
As millions of devotee across the world visits Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar around the year, all required facilities are available here. You can find lots of Dharmshala near Har ki Pauri haridwar and restaurants as well. There are several hotels near Hari Ki Pauri Haridwar where you can stay and easily reach to Ganga Aarti spot by few min walk.
How to Reach Har Ki Pauri, World Famous Site of Ganga Aarti in Haridwar, The Gate way of Supreme Lord, Uttarakhand, India
Har ki Pauri is the most popular and major pilgrimage site of Haridwar where millions of devotee and tourist across the world reaches around the year during their Haridwar tour. Har Ki Pauri is main attraction of Haridwar and located in center of holy city. It is just 3 km from railway station and 6 km from Bus Station so devotee can easily reach via auto or private vehicle. Haridwar is one of the Sapt Puri – Seven holy pilgrimage of Sanatan Dharma which grants pilgrims with Moksha. Haridwar is very well connected with all the major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Haridwar has major railway junction which is well connected with all major cities across India. Also you can easily reach Haridwar via road network of national and state highway. Nearest airport from Haridwar is Jolly Grant Airport located in Dehradun, the capital of state of Uttarakhand at just 37 km from Haridwar. You can get flights to almost all cities of India from here. For local transport, Haridwar has a good public and private transport facility to reach any part of city easily. You can get taxi, auto rickshaw and now lots of e rickshaw also available to reach each temple of city. Haridwar is located at around 54 km from Dehradun, 30 km from Rishikesh – the Yoga capital of world, 90 km from Mussoorie, 240 km from Delhi, 190 km from UttarKashi and 203 km from Guptkashi.
