Best Photo Spots in Haridwar
Haridwar has one great photo, the evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri, and it rewards some planning. The rest of the day is for the hill temples, their cable cars and the quieter lanes of Kankhal.
Entry Free
Bharat Mata Mandir
- Best timeMorning for soft light on the tower and fewer people at the entrance; late afternoon for warm light and river views from the top floor.
- ColorsSaffronWhiteGreen
Entry Free (ropeway extra)
Chandi Devi Temple
- Best timeMid-morning for clear views back across the river to the town; late afternoon for softer light on the Shivalik ridge.
- ColorsRedSaffronCream
Entry Free
Daksheswara Mahadev Temple
- Best timeEarly morning for soft light on the white spire and an empty courtyard; late afternoon for warm light at the ghat behind.
- ColorsSaffronWhiteRed
High crowdEntry Free
Har Ki Pauri
- Best timeSunset for the lamps of the evening aarti glowing on the water; sunrise for a calm ghat and soft light.
- ColorsSaffronWhiteMarigold
High crowdEntry Free (ropeway extra)
Mansa Devi Temple
- Best timeEarly morning for clear views over the town before the haze; late afternoon for warm light on the river channels below.
- ColorsRedSaffronWhite
The aarti, from the right side
At Har Ki Pauri the priests face the river from the steps of Brahmakund. If you stand on those steps, you see their backs and a wall of heads. The better view is from across the channel, on the island ghat and the bridges facing Brahmakund. From there you get the priests, the big brass lamps and the reflections in one frame. Get there 45 minutes to an hour before sunset, as the good spots go early. A phone on night mode handles the lamp light well. Use a tripod only if you can find space, as the crowd will not make room for one.
The cable cars
The cable cars to Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi give the best views of the town. From the Mansa Devi car you look down over the bazaar rooftops and the Ganga channels spreading south. Shoot through the side of the cabin away from the sun. The Chandi Devi hill looks back across the river at the town and the Shivalik ridge. Go early, before the haze builds and the queues grow.
Quieter frames
Daksheswara Mahadev Temple in Kankhal has a white spire, a courtyard and a small ghat on the river. It is calm for most of the day and easy to photograph without a crowd. Bharat Mata Mandir is a tall tower that fits a phone frame best from the road outside. Its top floor looks out over the river and the Sapt Sarovar area.
Rules worth knowing
Most temples do not allow photos of the idol inside the sanctum; look for signs or ask. Do not photograph people bathing, and never photograph funeral rites at the ghats. Ask before taking close portraits of sadhus. Some will ask for money afterwards, so settle that first. Keep your phone on a strap at the aarti, where the crowd is tight and pockets get picked.
For dress that suits the ghats and temples, see what to wear.
Questions
Haridwar — FAQ
Where is the best place to photograph the Haridwar aarti?
From across the channel, on the island ghat or the bridges facing Brahmakund. You see the priests and lamps face-on instead of from behind.
Can I use a drone at Har Ki Pauri?
Do not fly one without police permission. The ghat is a crowded religious site with tight security, and drones are routinely stopped during big bathing days.
Is the morning aarti worth photographing?
Yes, if you want calm. It is much smaller and quieter than the evening one, with soft light and fewer people in the frame.
Can I take photos from inside the cable car?
Yes. The cabins have windows, so shoot at an angle to cut reflections, and try the seat facing downhill on the way up.