3 nights in Haridwar - advice.

Matthew Morris · Sep 30th, 2009, 17:33

Does anyone have any advice about Haridwar

Was looking that they have Makar Sakranti (mass bathing) on Jan 14th...worth taking a look, will it absolutely heaving with people?

Also are there interesting day trips from Haridwar...I know Rishakesh is just around the corner...but is it possible to see snowy mountains (obviously depending on weather) from Haridwar...or is it possible to drive a few hours to where you can see snow capped mountains...

Anywhere close by to Haridwar I could take a look?

Finally can it snow in Haridwar in January?

Cheers Matt

delhiwala · Oct 1st, 2009, 03:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Morris

Was looking that they have Makar Sakranti (mass bathing) on Jan 14th...worth taking a look, will it absolutely heaving with people?

It's the first royal bath of Kumbha 2010. It will be a sea of people there on that day. I bet you would have never seen such a big crowd in your life.....

Quote:

Also are there interesting day trips from Haridwar...I know Rishakesh is just around the corner...but is it possible to see snowy mountains (obviously depending on weather) from Haridwar...or is it possible to drive a few hours to where you can see snow capped mountains...

No such views from Haridwar. You can go upto Mussorie (3 Hrs.) or Dhanolti (4 Hrs.) from Haridwar.

Quote:

Finally can it snow in Haridwar in January?

It never snows in Haridwar

Matthew Morris · Oct 1st, 2009, 03:26

Hey Delhiwala,

Thanks very much for the information, much appreciated....so given that there will be an enormous amount of people...would arriving the evening before be problematic...will it be utter chaos?..I assume booking train tickets and hotel rooms before hand is a wise idea?

delhiwala · Oct 1st, 2009, 03:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Morris

..I assume booking train tickets and hotel rooms before hand is a wise idea?

Definitely yes ! Else it will be a big problem....

You may book Hotel Teerth, it's bang on Ganges...

Matthew Morris · Oct 1st, 2009, 03:46

Is there a place that the bathings can be watched from atop, like roof top restaurant or something, does Hotel Teerth have this, i checked their website, but can't see it.

And what about getting in and out of Haridwar when this happens?

Paleface · Oct 1st, 2009, 03:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Morris

And what about getting in and out of Haridwar when this happens?

You may have to walk a Km or two and going North would be easier, if we assume that most people coming to Kumbh will be coming from all points South, East and West.

delhiwala · Oct 1st, 2009, 03:56

Hotel Teerth is some 300-400 Mtrs. away from the main bathing ghat called Har ki Pauri. There are some hotels who have a direct view of Har ki Pauri but they are very smallish places... I do not remember their names....

For getting out of Haridwar also, you should prebook your train tickets in advance.

machadinha · Oct 1st, 2009, 03:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Morris

will it absolutely heaving with people?

Matthew, have a look also at this thread: Kumbh Mela, and search the site for threads on previous Kumbh Mela's too (that's what this festival is called).

machadinha · Oct 1st, 2009, 04:23

& nb Matthew, I'm currently looking at going there myself (it'll be my first time to this area, so of Uttarakhand), and just flicking through my Lonely Planet '07 coming up with more interesting-sounding destinations in the wider area than I could possibly handle. Including long and short treks, possible snow, national parks, villages, bazaars, you name it.

How much of that would be fit for three days only, no idea; but you might want to have a look yourself.

(I reckon both the getting there & away, so to Haridwar for Kumbh Mela -- and I reckon some roads to other nearby places will be likewise packed, Rishikesh for instance is a popular place to stay for people attending the Kumbh I hear -- and the finding a bed could prove a major hassle though, and it's something I'm not looking forward to. For just three days, I'm not sure I'd even try. But, up to you.

I've been to a much smaller but nonetheless massive Mela in the past; it's hard to imagine, or for me to even properly recall, all those people in one place, and it being hard to even move a few meters, and etc.)

Matthew Morris · Oct 1st, 2009, 04:41

Well I'm not sure how big the first day will be, it's Jan 14th so this is very early on in the Kumbh Mela.

I've checked 2 hotels and both have rooms available.

I hear what you're saying about going only for 3 days...but I actually didn't even realise it was on..and now I would have the opportunity...I think I should take it...It does look a little scary though...not sure if it will be too much or not. I'd like to be able to be somewhere where I can watch it away from the crowd...but that's probably completely unrealistic.

Thanks for the link, will check it out.

machadinha · Oct 1st, 2009, 04:46

There's a decent somewhat "official"- (officious-?) looking site on it too: http://www.kumbhamela.net/.

delhiwala · Oct 1st, 2009, 04:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Morris

Well I'm not sure how big the first day will be, it's Jan 14th so this is very early on in the Kumbh Mela.......

The first day too will have big crowds and it'll be most colourful too....

Many Ascetics (sadhus) will take first bath, it's a mad rush, like a competition of taking bath first. In the past, there have been bloody skirmishes between various Sadhu groups on the issue of precedence in taking bath... now'it's almost settled...

You'll have fun watching all the melee.....

delhiwala · Oct 1st, 2009, 04:52

machadinha, The real official site is www.kumbh2010haridwar.gov.in

machadinha · Oct 1st, 2009, 05:03

Thanks, DW

nb

Quote:

Originally Posted by delhiwala

Many Ascetics (sadhus) will take first bath, it's a mad rush, like a competition of taking bath first.

Yes; note people getting trampled to death in such stampedes (not just of sadhus, but of pilgrims, too) is not unheard of; I'll be sure to not stand in their way!

Matthew Morris · Oct 1st, 2009, 05:48

Bet the queues for the ATM machine are unbelievable! ;-)

Hmnn, have to think carefully about this one...I have to be in Delhi for the 17th of Jan to fly home....I think trying to leave Haridwar from the evening of the 15th might be a good idea just in case...get a first class chair pre-booked on the train.

Think I might look at coming on the 12th instead of the 13th...I don't fancy trying to wade through seas of people with backpacks...

Sep 30th, 2009, 17:33	#1
Matthew Morris Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Netherlands Posts: 141	3 nights in Haridwar - advice. Does anyone have any advice about Haridwar Was looking that they have Makar Sakranti (mass bathing) on Jan 14th...worth taking a look, will it absolutely heaving with people? Also are there interesting day trips from Haridwar...I know Rishakesh is just around the corner...but is it possible to see snowy mountains (obviously depending on weather) from Haridwar...or is it possible to drive a few hours to where you can see snow capped mountains... Anywhere close by to Haridwar I could take a look? Finally can it snow in Haridwar in January? Cheers Matt __________________ I have the wisdom of Buddha combined with the body of Peter Andre - oh...no..it's the other way round..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Urgent advice needed - Haridwar-Rishikesh trip	dceite	Indian Railways	6	Oct 1st, 2009 01:06
Haridwar - Badrinath - Haridwar by Cab	satish_454	Uttarakhand	4	Sep 3rd, 2009 02:44
Dharamsala to Haridwar-advice needed	gurupaulj	Himachal Pradesh	5	Aug 23rd, 2009 23:38
Haridwar-RDprayag-Badrinath-VOF-Karnprayag-Haridwar	itchyfeet_26	Uttarakhand	13	Jun 1st, 2009 17:24
Haridwar-Badrinath-Haridwar ..Possible to make in 3 days?	harimakesh	Uttarakhand	11	Jul 20th, 2008 15:15

Oct 1st, 2009, 03:26	#3
Matthew Morris Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Netherlands Posts: 141	Hey Delhiwala, Thanks very much for the information, much appreciated....so given that there will be an enormous amount of people...would arriving the evening before be problematic...will it be utter chaos?..I assume booking train tickets and hotel rooms before hand is a wise idea?

Oct 1st, 2009, 03:46	#5
Matthew Morris Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Netherlands Posts: 141	Is there a place that the bathings can be watched from atop, like roof top restaurant or something, does Hotel Teerth have this, i checked their website, but can't see it. And what about getting in and out of Haridwar when this happens?

Oct 1st, 2009, 03:56	#7
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,817	Hotel Teerth is some 300-400 Mtrs. away from the main bathing ghat called Har ki Pauri. There are some hotels who have a direct view of Har ki Pauri but they are very smallish places... I do not remember their names.... For getting out of Haridwar also, you should prebook your train tickets in advance.

Oct 1st, 2009, 04:23	#9
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,385	& nb Matthew, I'm currently looking at going there myself (it'll be my first time to this area, so of Uttarakhand), and just flicking through my Lonely Planet '07 coming up with more interesting-sounding destinations in the wider area than I could possibly handle. Including long and short treks, possible snow, national parks, villages, bazaars, you name it. How much of that would be fit for three days only, no idea; but you might want to have a look yourself. (I reckon both the getting there & away, so to Haridwar for Kumbh Mela -- and I reckon some roads to other nearby places will be likewise packed, Rishikesh for instance is a popular place to stay for people attending the Kumbh I hear -- and the finding a bed could prove a major hassle though, and it's something I'm not looking forward to. For just three days, I'm not sure I'd even try. But, up to you. I've been to a much smaller but nonetheless massive Mela in the past; it's hard to imagine, or for me to even properly recall, all those people in one place, and it being hard to even move a few meters, and etc.)

Oct 1st, 2009, 04:41	#10
Matthew Morris Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Netherlands Posts: 141	Well I'm not sure how big the first day will be, it's Jan 14th so this is very early on in the Kumbh Mela. I've checked 2 hotels and both have rooms available. I hear what you're saying about going only for 3 days...but I actually didn't even realise it was on..and now I would have the opportunity...I think I should take it...It does look a little scary though...not sure if it will be too much or not. I'd like to be able to be somewhere where I can watch it away from the crowd...but that's probably completely unrealistic. Thanks for the link, will check it out.

Oct 1st, 2009, 04:46	#11
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,385	There's a decent somewhat "official"- (officious-?) looking site on it too: http://www.kumbhamela.net/.

Oct 1st, 2009, 04:52	#13
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,817	machadinha, The real official site is www.kumbh2010haridwar.gov.in

Oct 1st, 2009, 05:48	#15
Matthew Morris Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Netherlands Posts: 141	Bet the queues for the ATM machine are unbelievable! ;-) Hmnn, have to think carefully about this one...I have to be in Delhi for the 17th of Jan to fly home....I think trying to leave Haridwar from the evening of the 15th might be a good idea just in case...get a first class chair pre-booked on the train. Think I might look at coming on the 12th instead of the 13th...I don't fancy trying to wade through seas of people with backpacks...