Shri Ganga Mandir (Har Ki Pauri)
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Shri Ganga Mandir is the presiding riverside shrine to the goddess Ganga (Ganga Devi), standing immediately beside the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar — the point where the river, having descended from the Himalaya at Devprayag and Rishikesh, is believed to leave the mountains and enter the plains. While pilgrims the world over know the sweeping stone steps of Har Ki Pauri and its Brahmakund, the temple itself is a distinct and older structure: a compact, upward-soaring sanctuary crowned with a classic North-Indian shikhara (the curvilinear tower that rises above the sanctum). It is dedicated not to Shiva or Vishnu but to Ganga herself, personified as a serene goddess who carries the river's purifying grace to every devotee who touches the water below.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Mohan Ji Puri Wale (Bara Bazaar area) – long-standing pure-vegetarian institution famed for puri-sabzi and kachori; typically no onion-garlic. Confirm the day's menu locally.
- ✦Pure-veg thali houses and bhojanalayas around Bara Bazaar and Upper Road – satvik thalis and North-Indian staples a short walk from the ghat; hours vary, confirm on arrival.
- ✦Mathura Walo Ki Pracheen Dukan (near Har Ki Pauri) – historic pure-vegetarian sweet and namkeen shop for peda, laddoo and mithai prasad.
- ✦Ghat-side chaat and mithai stalls – Haridwar is entirely vegetarian and alcohol-free, so street snacks here are pure-veg; choose busy, freshly-cooked stalls for hygiene.
About
Shri Ganga Mandir is the presiding riverside shrine to the goddess Ganga (Ganga Devi), standing immediately beside the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar — the point where the river, having descended from the Himalaya at Devprayag and Rishikesh, is believed to leave the mountains and enter the plains.
- While pilgrims the world over know the sweeping stone steps of Har Ki Pauri and its Brahmakund, the temple itself is a distinct and older structure: a compact, upward-soaring sanctuary crowned with a classic North-Indian shikhara (the curvilinear tower that rises above the sanctum).
- It is dedicated not to Shiva or Vishnu but to Ganga herself, personified as a serene goddess who carries the river's purifying grace to every devotee who touches the water below.
- The temple's origin is traditionally attributed to Raja Man Singh of Amer, the celebrated sixteenth-century Rajput noble and general, whose patronage of pilgrimage sites left a mark across northern India.
- Centuries of monsoon, flood, and the sheer press of pilgrim crowds took a heavy toll on the fabric, and the shrine was later carefully conservation-restored by INTACH (the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), which stabilised the masonry and returned the shikhara and its detailing to sound condition.
- The result is a rare thing at Har Ki Pauri — a quiet, historically layered building amid one of the busiest ritual spaces in the country, its tiered tower a familiar silhouette in every photograph of the ghat.
- Inside, worship is simple and continuous: an image of Ganga Devi, garlanded and offered flowers, receives a steady flow of pilgrims who first bathe in the Brahmakund and then climb to the shrine to give thanks.
- The temple is at its most atmospheric at dusk, when the world-famous Ganga Aarti unfolds on the steps just outside — priests circling great tiered lamps as thousands of small leaf-boats of marigold and flame drift downstream.
- Visitors of every faith are welcome; the customary etiquette applies — remove footwear, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, keep valuables secure in the crowd, and be mindful that photography during the aarti is best done discreetly.
- Haridwar is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free holy city by long custom, so every eatery around the temple is pure-vegetarian.
- The lanes of Bara Bazaar behind the ghat brim with satvik thali houses, kachori-sabzi stalls, and famous mithai counters, making it effortless to pair a visit with a wholesome, meat-free meal.
- Combine the temple with the evening aarti, a walk along the ghats, and the nearby Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi cable-car temples for a full Haridwar pilgrimage day.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Beside Har Ki Pauri ghat, Brahmakund, near Malviya Dwip, Haridwar, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249401
How to Reach: Beside Har Ki Pauri, in the heart of old Haridwar. From Haridwar Junction railway station it is about 2 km — a cycle-rickshaw or auto-rickshaw costs roughly ₹40–80 (10–15 minutes), or a 20–25 minute walk. Motor traffic is restricted near the ghat, so expect the last stretch on foot through Bara Bazaar. From Rishikesh (about 25 km) shared autos, buses and taxis run frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shri Ganga Mandir the same as Har Ki Pauri?
No — they are distinct. Har Ki Pauri is the famous riverside ghat (with the Brahmakund) where pilgrims bathe and the evening Ganga Aarti is held. Shri Ganga Mandir is a separate temple building standing right beside the ghat, dedicated to the goddess Ganga and crowned with a classic North-Indian shikhara tower. Most visitors experience both together.
Who built the Ganga Temple at Har Ki Pauri?
The shrine is traditionally attributed to Raja Man Singh of Amer, the sixteenth-century Rajput noble known for patronising pilgrimage sites across northern India. Over the centuries the structure decayed and was later conservation-restored by INTACH (the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), which stabilised the masonry and repaired the tower.
Is there an entry fee for Shri Ganga Mandir?
No, entry is free. Like the Har Ki Pauri ghat beside it, the temple is open to everyone regardless of faith, with no admission ticket. You may make a voluntary offering if you wish, but none is required.
What are the timings, and when is the best time to visit?
The temple is reported to be open roughly from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, though timings can shift with festivals and crowds, so confirm locally. The most moving time to visit is around sunset, when the world-famous Ganga Aarti is performed on the steps just outside — arrive early to find a spot, as it draws large crowds.
How do I reach the temple, and is it crowded?
It sits in the heart of old Haridwar beside Har Ki Pauri, about 2 km from Haridwar Junction railway station (₹40–80 by auto or cycle-rickshaw, or a 20-minute walk). Vehicles are restricted near the ghat, so the final stretch is on foot through Bara Bazaar. It is busy year-round and extremely crowded during Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh, Ganga Dussehra and major bathing days — keep valuables secure and mind your footing on wet steps.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the temple?
Everywhere nearby — Haridwar is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free holy city, so every eatery around the ghat is pure-vegetarian. The Bara Bazaar lanes behind Har Ki Pauri have satvik thali houses, puri-sabzi and kachori stalls, and famous mithai shops such as Mathura Walo Ki Pracheen Dukan for peda and laddoo. Choose busy, freshly-cooked stalls, and confirm no-onion-garlic satvik options directly if that matters to you.