Varanasi or Haridwar?

Preeti

Hello All!

Originally my mother and I were planing to go to varanasi in the end of May for a bit to take a bath in the Ganga River. However, we are now debating between varanasi and hardiwar/rishekesh. I know the two are completely different in their own right, and equally beautiful and both spiritual... i wish we could do both! But i guess at this point, we really only have time to do one...so between the two, whcih one should we include? the distance from delhi isnt too much a problem... the main reason to go is to take a bath, and as an added bonus, to see the sights and take in the atmosphere. Any recommendations?

Thank you all so much for your help!!

Brisso

Rishikesh/ Haridwar - the water is clean. Ganga at Varanasi is filthy.

hawaiiyogagrl

I've never been to Varanasi, so I may not be most qualified to answer, but I will anyway.
Haridwar & Rishikesh are two of the most amazing places on the planet. Ganga-ma is clean, aarti is blissful, the temples in Haridwar are so fun and so sweet.
UMMM, and Chotiwalla's!
Good luck where ever you go- and report back on the experience.

ranjan154

Hi Preeti, I have been to both the places.. And my strong recommendation will be Haridwar/Rishikesh.

Varanasi should be done in winters..and as Brisso said .. the water is quite dirty to take bath..I couldn't dare .

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spicetrekker

For having a bath - Haridwar is the place to go. Firstly Water is much cleaner and also Har Ki Pauri is considered more sacred by the hindus

abhimeranaam

Hi Preeti,
Rajan has said right ,,,,,,
You can not compare Varanasi with Haridwar/Hrishikesh ....in Varanasi no doubt u will get a chance to visit and watch Shri KASHIVISHWANATH and DADHASHWAMEDH GHAT and Others, and pooja of Ganga Ji in evening ,,,, but no natural beauty.
In Haridwar/Hrishikesh you can visit lot many places CHANDI DEVI,MANSA DEVI, many TEMPLES and HAR KI PAIDI with the FLOW OF GANGA JI and ARTI in EVEING.... all will really enchant you.
Hrishikesh... you may visit this place for natural beauty and to visit any of the AASHRAM. here also you may watch many a temples (BHARAT MATA MANDIR,DUGDHADHARI MANDIR etc.) and RAM JHULA ,LAXMAN JHULA and no doubt a dip in the currents of GANJA JI at any of its natural ghats.

BETTER YOU CHOOSE NOW >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

steven_ber

I visited Varanasi and Haridwar/Rishikesh last November.

If you were tourists with no Indian background and you were visiting when the weather is cooler in Varanasi, I'd recommend Varanasi, the great thing about Varanasi is that it has everything that is good, bad, mystical, spectacular and sad about India, and all these things are concentrated along the river, an amazing experience, But also an experience you're not seeking.

Haridwar/Rishikesh was also wonderful, far better than I expected, and given your needs and Itinerary, Haridwar/Rishikesh would be my choice.

There are flight (Air Deccan, about Rs2300 in late May) from Delhi (very early morning and about 16:30) to Dehra Dun. (and flights departing Dehra Dun to go to Delhi at about 07:00 and 17:20)

You could also go direct from Phagwara to Haridwar (overnight train, 00:10 till 07:45 I think) or the other way (21:40 to 05:00)

There are slow overnight trains between Haridwar and Delhi (both ways) and faster (4.5 to 5 hours) daytime trains, but Haridwar-Agra (either way) isn't an attractive option.

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Preeti

thank you everyone for such helpful replies! i cant help but feel this pang of guilt for skipping out on varanasi though if we do choose haridwar/rishikesh (ultimately up to Mum) is it better to get hotel in hardiwar or rishikesh? also, how much minumum time is advisable to take in the sights? THANKS ALL!!!

Steven, seems like this itenerary changing will never end!! thanks for the continued support!! you're absolutely awesome!

capt_mahajan

My recommendation- Haridwar/Rishikesh, hands down.

Preeti

thanks capt mahajan!

jyotirmoy

My vote goes for Haridwar/Rishikesh.

Preeti

it seems like everyone agrees that hardiwar/rishikesh is the place for me this time around! I read of two or three hotels in one of the threads below, are there any others that are recommended? also, should we stay in rishikesh or hardiwar? it seems that rishikesh is the more peaceful one of the two...also, should two days be enough? thanks so much my fellow IM'ers!

all my love,
Preeti

ilovetravel

If the go is to take a dip in holy ganges. I don't think of any difference between the two. However, hardwar is cleaner and gives a nice feel of religious tourism.

You can ask anyone there and everyone will help you. Many people stay in the ashrams of baba ramdev( and any other ) without costing anything.

For varanasi , ITDC hotels are good to stay and many more 'star' category hotels present there..

For hardwar , I suggest to cover mussoorie, rishikesh and dehradun ( if the trip is 2-3 day long )..

varanasi : places to visit : ghats , kashi vishwanath temple, birla temple , BHU.

Hav a nice trip .

atala

Rishikesh/Swargashram side (near the lower bridge) is the quieter location but perhaps not worth the hassle if you go for only two or three nights.

What used to be the U.P. Tourist Bungalow (now Uttarkhand state, still state property?) in Haridwar also is in a quiet location right at the Ganga. There are other hotels in town that are quiet enough. If it is not next to a temple, I recall haridwar to be rather quiet.

A bath in Varanasi? If you are not living in India this would be close to impossible, and you would have to watch carefully not to get sick, since your head has to go under the water surface 3 times.

Preferably do not go on a weekend to take a dip at Haridwar or Rishikesh, because then considerably more pilgrims will be there.