Haridwar situated on the right bank of the River Ganga is among the seven sacred cities of India. All journeys to the spiritual towns of Uttaranchal start from Haridwar which literally means the Gateway to God ('Hari' meaning God and 'dwar' meaning Gate). The city is a four hour journey on the well constructed highway from Delhi and 1 hr drive from Rishikesh. This is also the place where 'Amrit Kalash' or 'The Nectar of Immortality' is believed to have fallen thus making it one of the sites where one of the largest spiritual gathering – The Kumbh Mela – is held once after every 12 years.
In the evening lights, the town looks like a jumble of colors – houses, shops, bazaars, snarling traffic and dhabas – all drenching you in a thick coat of religious fervor and enthusiasm.
Hundreds of shops selling souvenirs, sweets, food, music cassettes and CD’s, books and other religious paraphernalia were put up for sale. As we wandered down the meandering gullies (lanes) of the city along with the bustling crowd that was sifting around, we realized, that this place called the Bara Bazaar was not just a shopping place but also a tourist attraction.
Recommended buy from my side the next time you are in the city.
There are a lot of ashrams for staying along with many good hotels (Hotel Suvidha is one where I have stayed before). It is better to book in advance to avoid any last moment hassles. Rates are low during off-season.
I like the buns here but their other offerings like bhatures, kulches and even chaval (rice), each served with hot and spicy chole (spicy chickpeas curry, a popular north Indian delicacy) are equally tempting. Also do not leave without gulping down the special tari (the gravy that floats atop the chole) at the end of your meal. And be sure to come here before 6 p.m. or the joint will be closed.
Serves a variety of street side stuff like gol guppas, dahi vadas, aloo tikiyas and kanji vadas but I would recommend you to try out their spicy and tangy papri chaat, sure leaves a tantalizing aftertaste!
and a host of other flavorful masalas thrown in - I love it!
Be very very careful with the beggars and the sadhus. Trust no one as there are many who are always on the lookout for ways to fleece the tourists. Auto rickshaws are available in plenty but the best way to explore the town is by cycle rickshaw or on foot.
Wow.Looks very very interesting place because I have never seen most of the food and goods.I would like to try to eat all of them.
I have never read a better article on Haridwar than this...thank you so much!!! Haridwar and Benaras are my obsessions, my magnificent obsessions!!! I have been travelling to Haridwar since 1970s with my brother who is the architect for Jai ram ashram. But never explored Haridwar , the way you have done , a must during my next trip.
Oh! forgot! Dushera and Durga puja greetings to you .
keep travelling and keep posting..
I bet you have really captured the flavor of this whole place really well!!! Gosh, I bet one could spend days here, and still not have seen and tasted everything! The food is so different looking from what we have here. Your favorite, the next to last picture, what is that? Is it meat of some kind, maybe stew? Everything closes at 6:00? Then when does it get dark?
Thanks so much Ushnish Da.
Haridwar is a place very close to my heart too, since my father and grandparents spent many years there.
Hope Badrivishal calls you soon, its fascinating to be in Badrinath during Diwali.
The second last pic, its called Papri Chaat, a very popular street food in India. It consists of crushed papri (made of fried white flour) and mixed with boiled potatoes, boiled peas, green chutney, tamarind chutney, chillies, yogurt and topped with various spices and freshly cut coriander.
And it does get dark very early in the hills, at 5 or 6 pm.
Another marvelous and interesting post with fantastic photos, Arti! I do love the tours you take us on and all the wonderful information you share! They are, without a doubt, the next best thing to being there in person! Thank you for sharing so much of your beautiful and interesting country! Have a great weekend!
PS:pliss notice my blog url has changed..
The market place and good food now that will always make a visit to a city worthwhile. Wonderful post.
not only i love to read your blogs but it turns out to be very informative as well...everytime i read.
thoroughly enjoyed amd came to know a lot more about haridwar.
What an amazing place and many thanks for sharing your wonderful photographs. I have often enjoyed seeing the market and food stalls on travel shows and I know how the smells of the spices must be delightful.
Let's hope this comment goes through. I have had trouble commenting on blogspot lately. Thanks for your comments on my blog, as well. Yours is so interesting I have added it to my blogroll. Aloha for now!
Love the soft focus and action in your shots. Those red chili pickles look dangerously hot!
This is a lovely blog, packed with info, I'm going to follow.
Pictures of such mouthwatering fare!Indeed very informative.
Wow, the shopping here looks fantastic, just my cup of tea. I dislike big department stores but love markets as they tend to be colourful and individual.
A neat write up with meaningful pictures depicting the life in Haridwar.
Arti, THose pickles (red chilly) would be the end of me! I'll have one of those Chaats though. I like when you take us on walks and show your culture. A town that holds our ancestral memories is always special.
Wow what a post, mouth watering.
What a wonderful cullinary post...we haven't had curry in such a long time, you have our mouths watering! Thanks so much for taking time to stop and visit our blog! We have enjoyed yours very much!!
Lip smacking post;) Yummy...loved the pictures. Seems papdi chat is your favourite too;) Great stomachs eat alike:P That is a wealth of information on Haridwar. Good work, Arti.
wow! what a detailed post! and yummy food pics! i remember the hardwar market, but we didnt eat anything there... next time will try these out!
Great post Arti. Very detailed. I have been to this place in childhood days. But I find it very filthy. All the people who worship there should work towards this too and make it a cleaner and healthier place. It is a great holy city.
P.S. The markets always look so lively and the food is mouth-watering.
You have a great blog. Always love to learn things from other cultures and for a country so big as yours there are not many blogs who show us a piece of their life. Thanks for showing and also thank you for visiting my blog.
OUTSTANDING! So all my plans when I visit Haridwar on bike (this year or the next) will be laid according to what has been suggested. I had visted the place quite sometime ago, albeit just frisked through the outskirts. Looking forward to spending quality time there this time. Thanks for the heads-up, Arti.
Yes, I love Papri chaat and also chaat in general!!
Thanks. Are they also visiting the Char Dham or Rishikesh?
Thanks for those wonderful comments. The Red Chilly Pickle, though very spicy will not exactly burn your mouth!!!
I loved this trip! It's a beautiful name for a City. And lovely for you to have your father's memories with you as you travel the streets! Oh my that food all looked so good. It would be hard to resist those extra calories.
Arti, Thanks for you comments on my page.. Glad you liked the golu and hope you will visit often too..
I am happy I found your website because of this - travelling is something I love to do too (not able to do too much but love it!) and your posts offer a localite's insight into the place - something better than a travel brochure - so thanks!
and the red chillies look yummy!
Nice description..I just love this city and would love to live there forever.
Wow, dint know there was so much in haridwar.. Had been there from college, and so was a brief visit..
baap re baap arti ji haridwar me itna kuchh badhiya dekhne v khane tatha ghumne ke liye hai mai to iske baare me jaanti tak nahi thi.main isko kewal teerth -dhaam hi samjhti thi.
par aapki post v photoes dekh kar to laga ki ab to jab bhi mouka mile vahan jaajna hi hai.aor khane ki cheejen dekh kar ti muh me paani aa gaya .sach!
Oh wow, I miss authentic Indian food! Those dishes look super yummy.
I always enjoy your trips, they are so interesting and like the way you post pictures to go along with your story telling. Those big Red Chilly peppers look hot.
Indian markets are so much fun.
I would like to thank you Art for visiting my blog. You'll be always welcome there! Have a nice Wednesday!
Arti, I am drooling badly. You showed us variety of food items which makes us feel we are left out.
I love the way that you share historical and cultural information within your travel articles - it really makes them very interesting. I also enjoyed reading the restaurant recommendations - it all sounds amazingly delicious!
I miss this kind of scenes, Arti. I experienced shopping through Little India in Singapore and for me, it is one of the best experiences I got in immersing with your culture. I want to hear the sound of your stores, taste your food and smell the different spices.
A very detailed post!! Never knew of so many interesting facts of Haridwar..
A very nice post and brought back memories of my visit to Haridwar!
It is good to know that you have continued your trip.
Thank you for your kind commets on my post though almost one month has passed.
I am so glad to visit your post again.
Your love for Haridwar totally comes through when I read this Arti.. Loved the tour.. especially your description of the chaat and kanji vadas! And the big chilly red pickle, wohoo that must be a hot one!
It is so true that a place has so much more meaning when you've heard stories about it from someone close. I've not been to Haridwar but always wanted to visit because my mother talked about it so much, having lived there for some years.
It was good to see what the bazaar there is like. Recently, a friend talked about the Barra Bazaar in Calcutta, a must-see she said. The description of food is great, a sure shot way to get us geared up to visit a place!!
a very interesting read..you write like a pro! I love papri chaat :)too..will visit haridwar sometime..
Can I be frank? I never was attracted to Haridwar. I just found it crowded...although Ganga arti lovely but always preferred Rishikesh. But I guess it was my attitude that contributed to the dislike too. You write with a certain nostalgia that makes me curious, wanting to open up a bit and allow for Haridwar to have her own beauty!
Hmm... now I'm craving for some Papdi chaat. :D.
Nice to see the markets of Haridwar. I can quite imagine the life and smells of those streets.
The red chilli pickle looks tempting...but would that be hygienic?
Also there's a aloo puri place near har ki paur which I heard is quite good...haven't tried though.
I went Haridwar in Feb and it was splendid. Loved the evening aarti..its so mesmerizing!
Among the famous bengali eating joints in haridwar is DADA BOUDI.
All these pictures got me hungry.