When you board cheap flights to Haridwar, you will arrive at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. From there, take the Dehradun Shatabdi train to cover the trip to Haridwar; the train runs thrice daily and the journey lasts four and a half hours. You can also board one of the deluxe buses from Delhi for a cheaper yet equally comfortable journey to your destination after disembarking one of the many Haridwar flights.
It is quite easy to get around most of central Haridwar on foot, which is where the top attractions are clustered. You will also see plenty of cycle-rickshaws on the road, which are ideal for longer trips at a very reasonable price. Taxis offer convenience and speed, but at a higher rate. Be sure to negotiate a rate before getting in, regardless of which transportation means you choose. You can pick up either mode of transportation at the bus or train station in Haridwar.
Many tourists and pilgrims take cheap flights to Haridwar to visit the sacred sites present here. Haridwar is an important pilgrimage centre in India for the Hindus because the holy River Ganga flows into the country through this city. Brahma Kund is a sacred bathing site built by King Vikramaditya along the banks of the River Ganga in memory of his brother. Devotees believe that a few drops of an elixir for immortality were spilled here many years ago; they call the place Har ki Pauri, which literally translates to footsteps of the Lord. Facing the Brahma Kund on the other bank of the River Ganga is the Chandi Devi Temple. It is named after the Goddess Chandi, who killed the local demon king. From this vantage point atop the Neel Parvat hill, you will be able to see the city, the river and the surrounding countryside in all its glory.
The main shopping areas in Haridwar are Upper Road, Gandhi Ashram, Kankhal, Jwalapur and Moti Bazar. Thanks to cheap airfares, the streets along the market place are crowded any time of the day all year long. You will immediately notice that most of the shops stock supplies for pilgrims, such as prayer books, beaded chains, bangles, incense sticks and sandalwood. The naturally-polished stones from the River Ganga display a wide variety of colours, shapes and sizes, and these are used to make religious idols. Another top-selling item here is containers for visitors to carry a little of the holy water from the river back home with them. After booking cheap tickets to Haridwar, don’t miss out on the delicacies beckoning from the windows of the sweet shops that abound in the area; sweetened dry mango preserve and milk sweets are the local favourites.
Being a holy place, the majority of restaurants and eateries in this city serve vegetarian food only. Be prepared for this when you set off on Haridwar flights, though the South Indian and North Indian fare will be more than enough to satisfy your taste buds. In keeping with the sanctity of Haridwar, there are no clubs, bars, or discotheques. People gather along the banks of the River Ganga every evening to participate in the daily worship ritual. Watching hundreds of devotees set lighted earthen lamps afloat on the water offers an incredibly beautiful experience.