Har ki Pauri, Sacred ghat in Hardwar, India
Har ki Pauri is a collection of stone steps at the Ganges in Hardwar where Hindus perform ritual washing and attend ceremonies. The steps run along the riverbank and provide space for many people at once, with platforms for priests and small temples along the waterfront.
King Vikramaditya had these steps built in ancient times when his brother Bharthari withdrew into meditation here. Over the centuries, the site grew into one of the most important pilgrimage destinations on the Ganges and now draws devotees from across India.
Daily bathing here is considered especially powerful because the water touches the point where a divine footprint is said to remain. During Kumbh Mela, millions gather here to enter the water and listen to religious chants.
The morning ceremony starts around 5:15 AM and the evening ceremony around 5:30 PM, both drawing large crowds. Visitors who want to avoid congestion should arrive outside peak prayer times and wear comfortable shoes for the steps.
A stone wall shows an impression that many regard as the footprint of Vishnu and has been venerated for centuries. During the aarti, hundreds of oil lamps are lit and placed on floating leaves into the water, making the river glow at night.
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