Asthi Pravah Ghat
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · riverfront
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Asthi Pravah Ghat is one of Haridwar's principal sites for asthi visarjan — the Hindu rite of consigning a departed relative's cremated ashes (asthi) and charred bone remains to the Ganga. It lies on the river bank in the heart of Haridwar, just south of the Ganga Mandir and the great bathing steps of Har Ki Pauri, and draws grieving families from across northern India who come to release the remains of their dead into flowing water whose current, by tradition, carries the soul toward moksha — liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. The ghat sits within Haridwar's larger sacred geography: the city is one of the seven Saptapuri (holiest towns), and at Brahmakund the Ganga is said to leave the Himalaya for the plains, which is why immersion here is held to be especially auspicious.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Kankhal satvik bhojanalayas near Daksha Mahadev Mandir – simple pure-vegetarian thalis, often cooked without onion or garlic; homely and inexpensive, though hours can be irregular, so confirm on arrival.
- ✦Hoshiyar Puri (Bara Bazaar, near Har Ki Pauri) – a legendary pure-vegetarian aloo-puri institution a short walk away; reported to date back many decades. Best in the morning.
- ✦Mohan Ji Puri Wale (Har Ki Pauri area) – long-standing pure-vegetarian counter known for puri-sabzi and kachori; entirely veg like the rest of Haridwar.
- ✦Pure-veg thali houses and bhojanalayas around Bara Bazaar and Upper Road – dependable satvik meals a short walk from the ghat; confirm the outlet and timings on arrival.
About
Asthi Pravah Ghat is one of Haridwar's principal sites for asthi visarjan — the Hindu rite of consigning a departed relative's cremated ashes (asthi) and charred bone remains to the Ganga.
- It lies on the river bank in the heart of Haridwar, just south of the Ganga Mandir and the great bathing steps of Har Ki Pauri, and draws grieving families from across northern India who come to release the remains of their dead into flowing water whose current, by tradition, carries the soul toward moksha — liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
- The ghat sits within Haridwar's larger sacred geography: the city is one of the seven Saptapuri (holiest towns), and at Brahmakund the Ganga is said to leave the Himalaya for the plains, which is why immersion here is held to be especially auspicious.
- In the Sanatana tradition the immersion of asthi in a tirtha (sacred river-crossing) such as the Ganga at Haridwar is among the final and most consequential of the antyeshti, the last rites.
- Families usually arrive after a cremation performed elsewhere, carrying the ashes wrapped in cloth; a local tirtha-purohit (priest) guides the sankalp (ritual resolve), the simple offerings and the immersion itself.
- Many also perform shraddh and pind-daan here for earlier ancestors, and the ghat is at its busiest during Pitru Paksha, the fortnight in September–October dedicated to the departed.
- The character of the place is quiet and functional rather than a tourist spectacle — riverside steps, the steady sound of the Ganga, and priests who keep genealogical registers of the families they serve.
- For any visitor, this is first a place of mourning and devotion, not sightseeing.
- Observe from a respectful distance, do not photograph grieving families or the rituals, dress modestly, and never wade carelessly into the water, where currents can be strong.
- Haridwar and Kankhal are wholly vegetarian and alcohol-free by law and long custom, so no meat, egg or alcohol is sold anywhere nearby.
- Families and visitors take simple satvik bhojan — often cooked without onion or garlic — at the pure-vegetarian bhojanalayas of Bara Bazaar and the Har Ki Pauri area close by, with more satvik options a short ride south in Kankhal near the Daksha Mahadev temple.
- Given the solemn nature of a visit, most people eat afterward in the town rather than at the ghat itself.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
On the Ganga bank near the Ganga Mandir, just south of Har Ki Pauri, central Haridwar, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249401
How to Reach: The ghat lies on the Ganga bank just south of Har Ki Pauri, near the Ganga Mandir in central Haridwar. From Har Ki Pauri it is a short walk of roughly 1.5–2 km, or a brief e-rickshaw or auto-rickshaw ride. From Haridwar Junction railway station it is about 1.5–2 km. There is no metro in Haridwar — auto-rickshaw, e-rickshaw or taxi are the usual options; confirm the exact drop point with the driver, as several riverside ghats adjoin one another here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Asthi Pravah Ghat in Haridwar used for?
It is one of Haridwar's principal ghats for asthi visarjan — the Hindu rite of immersing a departed relative's cremated ashes in the Ganga. Families come here, often after a cremation performed elsewhere, to release the ashes into the holy river in the belief that its current helps carry the soul toward moksha (liberation). Many also perform shraddh and pind-daan for ancestors here.
Is there an entry fee for the ghat?
No, there is no entry fee — access to the riverside ghat is free. However, families who engage a local tirtha-purohit (priest) to guide the immersion, sankalp and offerings customarily give a dakshina (donation) for that service. Agree on any amount respectfully and in advance; there is no fixed charge for simply visiting.
How do I reach Asthi Pravah Ghat in Haridwar?
It is on the Ganga bank just south of Har Ki Pauri, near the Ganga Mandir in central Haridwar. From Har Ki Pauri it is a short walk of about 1.5–2 km or a brief e-rickshaw ride; from Haridwar Junction railway station it is about 1.5–2 km. There is no metro in Haridwar, so auto-rickshaw, e-rickshaw or taxi are the standard options. Several ghats adjoin one another here, so confirm the exact drop point with your driver.
Can tourists visit, and how should they behave?
Visitors may come, but this is first a place of mourning and ritual, not sightseeing. Observe quietly and from a distance, do not photograph grieving families or the rites, dress modestly, and remove footwear near the water. Do not wade carelessly into the Ganga, as the current can be strong. Approach the site with the same respect you would show at any place of last rites.
When is the busiest time at the ghat?
The ghat is busiest during Pitru Paksha, the fortnight in September–October dedicated to the departed, when many families arrive to perform shraddh and pind-daan for ancestors. Mornings are generally the calmest time to visit, and the cooler months from October to March are the most comfortable overall.
Where can I eat vegetarian food nearby?
All of Haridwar and Kankhal is vegetarian and alcohol-free by custom and law, so no meat, egg or alcohol is sold. Simple satvik bhojanalayas near the Daksha Mahadev temple in Kankhal serve pure-vegetarian thalis, often without onion or garlic. Haridwar's well-known pure-veg institutions — such as Hoshiyar Puri and Mohan Ji Puri Wale — are a short walk away around Har Ki Pauri and Bara Bazaar. Given the solemn nature of a visit here, most people eat afterward in the town.
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