Bhimgoda Kund & Barrage
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · riverfront
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Bhimgoda Kund is a small, revered bathing tank at the very edge of Haridwar's holiest quarter, lying roughly 500 metres upstream of Har Ki Pauri where the Ganga leaves the last of the Himalayan foothills and spreads into the northern plains. The name joins two words — Bhima, the mighty second Pandava of the Mahabharata, and goda (knee) — and local tradition holds that as the Pandavas passed through on their long journey toward the Himalayas, a thirsty Bhima pressed his knee into the rock and water welled up to form this kund. The tank is fed by Ganga water and, like every sacred pool in Haridwar, is treated by pilgrims as a place for a quiet, meritorious dip away from the crowds and noise of the main ghat. It is a modest, unshowy spot rather than a grand monument — its meaning is devotional and geographic, marking the threshold where the mountain river becomes a plains river.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Mohanji Puriwale (Upper Road / Bara Bazaar area) – long-running pure-vegetarian counter famed for puri-sabzi and kachori; entirely veg like all of Haridwar. Reported popular with pilgrims; confirm timings locally.
- ✦Hoshiyar Puri (Bara Bazaar) – a well-known old pure-veg puri-sabzi institution near Har Ki Pauri, traditionally no-onion-no-garlic; typically busy in the morning.
- ✦Mathura Wale (Bara Bazaar) – reputed pure-vegetarian sweet and snack shop for mithai, kheer and rabri; verify current hours on the day.
- ✦Satvik bhojnalayas along Upper Road – several pure-veg thali and snack counters near Bhimgoda; choose one with brisk turnover and freshly cooked food.
About
Bhimgoda Kund is a small, revered bathing tank at the very edge of Haridwar's holiest quarter, lying roughly 500 metres upstream of Har Ki Pauri where the Ganga leaves the last of the Himalayan foothills and spreads into the northern plains.
- The name joins two words — Bhima, the mighty second Pandava of the Mahabharata, and goda (knee) — and local tradition holds that as the Pandavas passed through on their long journey toward the Himalayas, a thirsty Bhima pressed his knee into the rock and water welled up to form this kund.
- The tank is fed by Ganga water and, like every sacred pool in Haridwar, is treated by pilgrims as a place for a quiet, meritorious dip away from the crowds and noise of the main ghat.
- It is a modest, unshowy spot rather than a grand monument — its meaning is devotional and geographic, marking the threshold where the mountain river becomes a plains river.
- Directly beside the kund stands the Bhimgoda Barrage, one of the most important pieces of water engineering on the upper Ganga.
- This is the headworks of the Upper Ganga Canal: the point where a share of the river is diverted into the canal system that has irrigated the doab for well over a century.
- An original barrage here was completed in the 1850s and rebuilt twice, the present structure dating to the early 1980s; it is a long line of spillway and sluice gates that regulate the flow, help control floods, and feed water downstream.
- For the visitor the barrage is best appreciated as a viewpoint — a broad, open panorama of the Ganga fanning out, gulls and river birds working the shallows, and the Shivalik ridges rising behind.
- It explains, in a single glance, why Haridwar sits exactly where it does.
- Just below the barrage lies Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar, a stretch of the river and its channel that draws migratory and resident waterbirds, especially in winter, making the whole Bhimgoda area a rewarding early-morning walk for anyone interested in birds and river scenery.
- The zone is peaceful in a way the main ghats rarely are, and pairs naturally with a Har Ki Pauri visit — arrive at Bhimgoda first for the quiet, then walk down to the ghat for the evening Ganga Aarti.
- Haridwar is a Ganga pilgrimage city that is entirely vegetarian and alcohol-free by long-standing custom, so the food question here is not whether a place is vegetarian but which pure-veg institution to choose.
- The lanes between Bhimgoda, Upper Road and Bara Bazaar are lined with satvik bhojnalayas, puri-sabzi counters and mithai shops serving pilgrims from dawn — expect kachori-sabzi, aloo-puri, thalis, kheer and rabri, much of it cooked in the no-onion-no-garlic style favoured by devotees.
- As always, a simple rule serves well: eat where the turnover is high and the food is freshly fried.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Bhimgoda, upstream of Har Ki Pauri, on the Ganga (Ganges) headworks, near Upper Road, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249401
How to Reach: Bhimgoda sits just upstream of Har Ki Pauri in central Haridwar. From Har Ki Pauri it is a 5–10 minute walk (about 500 m) along Upper Road. From Haridwar Junction railway station it is roughly 2 km — an auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw costs about ₹40–70 (10 minutes), or a cycle-rickshaw for short hops. Shared vehicles run along Upper Road; the final lanes are best covered on foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bhimgoda Kund and why is it called that?
Bhimgoda Kund is a sacred bathing tank in Haridwar, just upstream of Har Ki Pauri. Its name combines 'Bhima' — the powerful Pandava of the Mahabharata — with 'goda' (knee). Tradition holds that as the Pandavas travelled toward the Himalayas, a thirsty Bhima pressed his knee into the rock and water gushed out to form the kund. It is a quiet devotional spot rather than a grand monument.
What is the Bhimgoda Barrage?
The Bhimgoda Barrage is the headworks of the Upper Ganga Canal, sitting right beside the kund. It is where a share of the Ganga is regulated and diverted into the canal that irrigates the plains, and it also helps with flood control. An early barrage here dates to the 1850s; it was rebuilt twice, with the present structure completed in the early 1980s. For visitors it is a fine open viewpoint over the river as it enters the plains.
Is there an entry fee for Bhimgoda Kund and Barrage?
No, there is no entry fee — the kund and the riverfront by the barrage are free to visit, like Haridwar's ghats. It is best seen in daylight for safe, comfortable viewing; please confirm access locally, especially during the high-flow monsoon months.
How do I reach Bhimgoda from Har Ki Pauri?
It is an easy 5–10 minute walk of about 500 metres along Upper Road, upstream from Har Ki Pauri. From Haridwar Junction railway station it is roughly 2 km; an auto- or e-rickshaw costs about ₹40–70 and takes around 10 minutes. The final lanes are best covered on foot.
What else can I see near Bhimgoda?
Just below the barrage lies Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar, a river stretch known for migratory and resident waterbirds — rewarding on a winter morning. Bhimgoda pairs naturally with Har Ki Pauri: come here first for the quiet and the river views, then walk down to the main ghat for the evening Ganga Aarti.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Bhimgoda?
Haridwar is an entirely vegetarian, alcohol-free pilgrimage city, so every eatery nearby is pure-veg — often cooked no-onion-no-garlic for devotees. The Upper Road and Bara Bazaar lanes have long-running names like Mohanji Puriwale and Hoshiyar Puri for puri-sabzi and kachori, and Mathura Wale for mithai and rabri. A good rule is to eat where the food is fresh and the turnover is high.
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