Haridwar: A Sacred Beginning to Our Journey

Every great journey has a prologue — a place where the mind quiets, the heart opens, and the spirit feels the road ahead. For us, that place was Haridwar.
We arrived in the early morning, the city already stirring with the hum of pilgrims, priests, and shopkeepers. After a quick breakfast and check-in at Gujarat Bhavan, we were eager to step out and let Haridwar’s energy wrap around us.

The First Steps – Har Ki Pauri & Mansa Devi Temple
Our first stop was Har Ki Pauri, the heartbeat of Haridwar. Standing by the ghats, watching the sacred Ganga flow in its determined, timeless rhythm, I felt the journey truly begin. The river here isn’t just water — it’s a living thread connecting generations of faith.
From there, we set out for the Mansa Devi Temple, perched atop Bilwa Parvat. This revered shrine, especially on a Shravan Monday, was buzzing with devotion despite the shadow of a recent tragedy in the city. The climb was steep, the sun unrelenting, and the heat almost dared us to stop. But step by step, with sweat on our brows and prayers in our hearts, we reached the top — proof that the first challenge of the trip had been met.

The Climb Continues – Chandi Devi Temple
An auto-rickshaw whisked us next to the base of Chandi Devi Temple, resting high on Neel Parvat. This ascent was even more demanding than Mansa Devi, and the midday heat was merciless. We chose to walk the sacred path, although daunting in the sweltering heat— watching Haridwar’s green and golden landscape unfold around us — and were rewarded with a serene and quick Darshan. The ropeway ride back down felt like a gift from the gods to our weary legs.

Evening Magic – Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri
Back at our room, a hearty lunch and a short nap revived us for the evening. As the sun began to set, we returned to Har Ki Pauri for the Ganga Aarti.
Well before the first conch shell blew, the ghats transformed. During Aarti, Priests moved in perfect rhythm, lamps in hand, as chants filled the air and the reflection of fire danced on the river. The crowd pressed in from all sides, but it didn’t matter — the energy of that moment was bigger than the discomfort.
We stayed long after the formal rituals ended, watching the current carry away a few floating diyas, each a prayer sent downstream. It was the perfect closing note to our first day.

Why Haridwar Matters
For many, Haridwar is a destination. For us, it was a beginning — a place to cleanse our minds, ground our intentions, and ready our spirits for the mountains ahead. Every climb, every trek, every challenge is easier when you start from a place of devotion and gratitude.
Tomorrow, the road would rise. But tonight, the river carried our prayers forward.

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