Sapt Rishi Ashram & Sapt Sarovar
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · riverfront
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Sapt Rishi Ashram sits on the west bank of the Ganga at Sapt Sarovar, roughly 5 km upstream of Har Ki Pauri on the Haridwar–Rishikesh road, in the leafy Motichur belt. Its name binds together two ideas central to the site: the Sapt Rishi (seven great sages of Hindu tradition — commonly listed as Kashyapa, Vashishtha, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jamadagni, Bharadwaja and Gautama) and the Sapt Sarovar, the "seven pools" or streams. According to the legend attached to the place, the seven sages once sat here in deep meditation on the riverbank, and the rushing Ganga, unwilling to break their concentration, divided herself into seven quieter channels and flowed gently past. That braided, calmer stretch of river is what gives the locality its name of Sapt Sarovar.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Simple tea-and-snack stalls near the Sapt Sarovar turn-off – pure-vegetarian, good for chai, biscuits and light snacks; limited hours, so carry water and don't rely on a full meal here.
- ✦Pure-vegetarian dhabas and thali kitchens along the Bhupatwala / Rishikesh road (a few minutes toward town) – satvik thalis, dal-rice, kachori-sabzi; Haridwar is fully vegetarian, but confirm timings as many close by mid-evening.
- ✦Bhupatwala market eateries – sweet shops and snack counters for jalebi, samosa and mithai; entirely vegetarian neighbourhood catering to pilgrims.
- ✦Har Ki Pauri bazaar (about 5 km) – the widest choice of pure-veg thalis, chaat and sweets if you head back into the town for a proper meal.
About
Sapt Rishi Ashram sits on the west bank of the Ganga at Sapt Sarovar, roughly 5 km upstream of Har Ki Pauri on the Haridwar–Rishikesh road, in the leafy Motichur belt.
- Its name binds together two ideas central to the site: the Sapt Rishi (seven great sages of Hindu tradition — commonly listed as Kashyapa, Vashishtha, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jamadagni, Bharadwaja and Gautama) and the Sapt Sarovar, the "seven pools" or streams.
- According to the legend attached to the place, the seven sages once sat here in deep meditation on the riverbank, and the rushing Ganga, unwilling to break their concentration, divided herself into seven quieter channels and flowed gently past.
- That braided, calmer stretch of river is what gives the locality its name of Sapt Sarovar.
- The ashram itself is a modern devotional complex — reportedly established in 1943 by Goswami Gurudutt — rather than an ancient monument, and it wears its calm lightly.
- Set among old mango groves, it is a working institution with a Sanskrit pathshala and a residential hostel for students alongside its shrines.
- The prayer halls hold images of the seven sages together with much-loved deities such as Ganesha, Durga, Saraswati, Shiva and Hanuman, and the atmosphere is contemplative rather than crowded.
- Because it lies away from the main bathing ghats, it draws a fraction of the footfall of Har Ki Pauri, and many travellers pair a quiet visit here with the birdlife and forest edge of the nearby Rajaji fringe.
- For visitors of any faith, a few courtesies apply: remove footwear before entering the shrine halls, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, keep your voice low during prayers, and ask before photographing people at worship.
- The Ganga here runs fast and cold even where it looks placid — this is a spot for reflection and a careful dip at most, not for swimming, and children should be kept well back from the water.
- Haridwar is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free city by long custom, so every kitchen you meet in this area is pure-vegetarian.
- The ashram neighbourhood itself is quiet, with only simple tea-and-snack stalls, so most visitors eat back toward Bhupatwala or the town, where satvik thalis, chotiwala-style meals, kachori-sabzi and hot jalebi are easy to find.
- Carry your own water, and treat the riverbank as the peaceful retreat it is meant to be.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Sapt Sarovar Road, Motichur, near the Haridwar–Rishikesh road, on the west bank of the Ganga, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249411
How to Reach: Sapt Sarovar / Motichur, about 5 km from Har Ki Pauri on the Haridwar–Rishikesh road. From Har Ki Pauri or Haridwar Junction Railway Station (about 6.5 km), a shared or reserved auto-rickshaw costs roughly ₹80–150 and takes 15–20 minutes; e-rickshaws and Vikram tempos also run along the Rishikesh road. There is no metro. Drivers can drop you near the Sapt Sarovar turn-off, from where the ashram is a short walk toward the river.
More places in Haridwar
- Har Ki Pauri (Brahma Kund)Haridwar's holiest ghat, where the Ganga leaves the Himalayas for the plains — and Brahma Kund, the spot the evening Ganga Aarti has honoured for over a century.
- Mansa Devi Temple (Bilwa Parvat)Hilltop Siddh Peeth to the wish-granting goddess Mansa atop Bilwa Parvat — one of Haridwar's Panch Tirth, reached by ropeway or a short forested trek.
- Chandi Devi Temple (Neel Parvat)A hilltop Shakti shrine to Goddess Chandi crowning Neel Parvat above Har Ki Pauri — one of Haridwar's Panch Tirth, reached by a five-minute ropeway or an hour-long trek.
- Ganga Aarti at Har Ki PauriHaridwar's world-famous nightly Ganga Aarti at Brahma Kund — a river of lamp-lit diyas, ringing bells and conch calls, held here since 1916.
- Maya Devi Temple (Shakti Peeth)One of Haridwar's oldest intact temples (c. 11th century) and a revered Shakti Peeth — home to Maya Devi, the tutelary goddess after whom the city was once named Mayapuri.
- Daksheshwar Mahadev TempleThe Daksha-yagna site at Kankhal where Sati self-immolated and Shiva's Veerbhadra destroyed the sacrifice — a major Shiva pilgrimage thronged on Mahashivratri.
- Kushavart Ghat, KankhalAn ancient, contemplative bathing ghat in Kankhal — one of Haridwar's Panch Tirth and its foremost site for pind-daan and shraddh rites for departed ancestors.
- Sati Kund, KankhalA small, walled sacred pond in Kankhal revered as the yajna-pit where Sati immolated herself — a quiet node of the Daksha-yagna legend beside Daksheshwar Mahadev.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story behind Sapt Rishi Ashram and Sapt Sarovar?
According to Hindu tradition, the seven great sages (Sapt Rishi) — usually named as Kashyapa, Vashishtha, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jamadagni, Bharadwaja and Gautama — meditated on this stretch of the Ganga bank. So as not to disturb them, the river is said to have split into seven gentle streams, giving the area its name Sapt Sarovar ("seven pools"). The ashram commemorates that legend and honours the seven sages.
Is there an entry fee for Sapt Rishi Ashram?
No, entry is free. It is a living ashram and place of worship open to visitors of all faiths, with no admission ticket. Any donation you make is entirely voluntary.
What are the timings of Sapt Rishi Ashram?
It is generally open through the day, reported roughly from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with a quieter midday lull. Darshan and aarti timings shift with the season, so it is best to confirm locally, especially if you want to catch a morning or evening prayer.
How do I reach Sapt Rishi Ashram from Har Ki Pauri?
The ashram is about 5 km from Har Ki Pauri along the Haridwar–Rishikesh road, in the Sapt Sarovar / Motichur area. A shared or reserved auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw costs around ₹80–150 and takes 15–20 minutes; Vikram tempos also ply the Rishikesh road. There is no metro in Haridwar, so road transport is the way to go.
Is Sapt Rishi Ashram worth visiting, and how long does it take?
Yes, if you enjoy quiet, spiritual spots away from the crowds. Unlike the busy main ghats, it is calm and shaded by mango groves, with shrines to the seven sages and deities such as Shiva, Durga and Hanuman, plus the peaceful braided river at Sapt Sarovar. Most visitors spend about 30–60 minutes. Remember to remove footwear before the shrine halls, dress modestly, and stay well back from the fast-flowing Ganga.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Sapt Rishi Ashram?
All of Haridwar is strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free, so every option nearby is pure-veg. Right by the ashram there are only simple tea-and-snack stalls, so for a full meal head a few minutes toward Bhupatwala or back into town, where satvik thalis, kachori-sabzi and fresh jalebi are easy to find. Carry your own water, as the immediate riverside area is quiet.
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