Gorakhnath Temple (Nath Sampradaya)
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
The Gorakhnath Temple is an active Nath-sampradaya shrine on Upper Road in Haridwar, standing on the busy pilgrim thoroughfare that carries devotees toward Har Ki Pauri, the city's celebrated Ganga bathing ghat. It is dedicated to Guru Gorakhnath (also written Gorakshanath), the revered medieval yogi and mahasiddha regarded as the great systematiser of the Nath tradition and of Hatha Yoga. Followers of the Nath sampradaya — historically known as Naths or Kanphata yogis — hold Gorakhnath in exceptional esteem as a teacher of disciplined breath, posture and inner realisation, and temples in his name serve both lay pilgrims and ascetic practitioners of the order. In a city defined by its Shaivite and Ganga-centred devotion, this temple adds a distinctly yogic strand to Haridwar's spiritual fabric.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Hoshiyar Puri (Upper Road, Bara Bazaar) - a long-running pure-vegetarian, no-onion-no-garlic Vaishnav thali institution on the same road; famous for its aloo-poori and daily sabzi; usually reliable but confirm timings.
- ✦Mathura Walo Ki Pracheen Dukan (near Har Ki Pauri / Bara Bazaar) - a heritage pure-vegetarian sweet house known for rabri, kheer and chhena sweets; a few minutes' walk toward the ghats.
- ✦Bara Bazaar and Upper Road sweet stalls - the entire lane is pure-vegetarian, with chaat, jalebi, kachori and mithai counters serving pilgrims; choose a busy, freshly-cooked stall.
- ✦Pure-vegetarian thali and South Indian sit-down restaurants near Har Ki Pauri - dependable options for a full meal along Upper Road and the Bara Bazaar lanes; confirm the specific outlet on arrival.
About
The Gorakhnath Temple is an active Nath-sampradaya shrine on Upper Road in Haridwar, standing on the busy pilgrim thoroughfare that carries devotees toward Har Ki Pauri, the city's celebrated Ganga bathing ghat.
- It is dedicated to Guru Gorakhnath (also written Gorakshanath), the revered medieval yogi and mahasiddha regarded as the great systematiser of the Nath tradition and of Hatha Yoga.
- Followers of the Nath sampradaya — historically known as Naths or Kanphata yogis — hold Gorakhnath in exceptional esteem as a teacher of disciplined breath, posture and inner realisation, and temples in his name serve both lay pilgrims and ascetic practitioners of the order.
- In a city defined by its Shaivite and Ganga-centred devotion, this temple adds a distinctly yogic strand to Haridwar's spiritual fabric.
- The temple presents an imposing street frontage amid the dense shops and dharamshalas of the Upper Road bazaar.
- Within, the main sanctum enshrines the murti (image) of Guru Gorakhnath, typically shown in a seated meditative posture and honoured with the dhuni (sacred hearth) motif associated with Nath ascetics.
- The complex includes a meditation hall used for contemplation and recitation, along with subsidiary shrines to allied deities of the tradition — Shiva, from whom the Nath lineage traces its ultimate descent, is central here.
- The atmosphere is unhurried compared with the ghats: bells, incense and the quiet discipline of visiting sadhus give the hall a contemplative character.
- The shrine is busiest on Maha Shivratri (February or March), when Shaivite and Nath devotion across Haridwar reaches its peak, and on Guru Purnima, the festival honouring spiritual teachers, which holds special meaning for a guru-centred order.
- Nath observances and the fair days around them also draw ascetics of the sampradaya.
- As a working temple, it welcomes visitors of every background who observe simple etiquette: remove footwear before entering, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, keep voices low during worship, and ask before photographing the sanctum or sadhus.
- Haridwar is a Ganga pilgrimage city that is vegetarian and alcohol-free by long custom, so the streets around the temple are entirely meat-free and dry.
- Upper Road and the adjoining Bara Bazaar are lined with pure-vegetarian sweet shops and thali houses; a legendary no-onion-no-garlic Vaishnav eatery sits on the same road, and rabri-and-kheer counters near Har Ki Pauri are minutes away on foot.
- The temple pairs naturally with a walk to Har Ki Pauri for the evening Ganga Aarti, making it an easy, rewarding stop on any Haridwar itinerary.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Upper Road, near Ram Ghat, on the main road to Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249401
How to Reach: On Upper Road near Ram Ghat, on the main pilgrim route to Har Ki Pauri. From Haridwar Junction railway station it is about 1 km (roughly 0.6 km on foot through the bazaar); a cycle-rickshaw or e-rickshaw costs about 30 to 50 rupees, or it is a 12 to 15 minute walk. From Har Ki Pauri it is a short 5 to 10 minute walk back along Upper Road. Vehicles are restricted in the bazaar core, so the final stretch is on foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Gorakhnath Temple in Haridwar located?
It stands on Upper Road near Ram Ghat, on the main pilgrim thoroughfare that leads to Har Ki Pauri. It is roughly 1 km from Haridwar Junction railway station and a short 5 to 10 minute walk from Har Ki Pauri itself, set among the shops and dharamshalas of the Bara Bazaar area.
Is there an entry fee for the Gorakhnath Temple?
No, entry is free. As an active Nath-sampradaya shrine it is open to everyone regardless of background, with no admission ticket. Please observe temple etiquette: remove footwear, dress modestly, and keep quiet during worship.
Who is Guru Gorakhnath and what is the Nath sampradaya?
Guru Gorakhnath (Gorakshanath) is a revered medieval yogi and mahasiddha regarded as the great systematiser of the Nath tradition and of Hatha Yoga. His followers, the Naths, form a monastic order that emphasises disciplined breath, posture and inner realisation, tracing its lineage ultimately to Lord Shiva. This temple is a place of worship and contemplation for that tradition.
What are the temple timings and the best time to visit?
The temple is reported to be open from roughly 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, sometimes with a midday break, so it is worth confirming locally. It is at its most vibrant on Maha Shivratri (February or March) and Guru Purnima (July). For a calmer visit, come early in the morning or shortly before the evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
How do I reach the temple from Har Ki Pauri or the railway station?
From Har Ki Pauri it is a short 5 to 10 minute walk back along Upper Road. From Haridwar Junction it is about a 12 to 15 minute walk through the bazaar, or a cycle-rickshaw or e-rickshaw for about 30 to 50 rupees. The bazaar core is largely pedestrian, so the last stretch is on foot.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the Gorakhnath Temple?
Haridwar is a vegetarian and alcohol-free pilgrimage city, so the whole area is meat-free and dry. On the same Upper Road, Hoshiyar Puri is a long-running pure-vegetarian, no-onion-no-garlic thali institution, and Mathura Walo Ki Pracheen Dukan near Har Ki Pauri is famous for rabri and kheer. The Bara Bazaar lanes are lined with pure-veg chaat, jalebi and mithai stalls; pick a busy, freshly-cooked counter.
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