I spent just one night in Haridwar but I could tell the city was different than the others I had visited along the sacred Ganga. It was a city for Indian tourists not their Western counterparts.
I loved Varanasi but after visiting Haridwar I learned that I loved it because the city had been tailored to western needs. Sure, Varanasi is one of the holiest spots along the Ganga and it's swarming with Hindu pilgrims, but the big city is also a haven for international travellers and it can be seen in the restaurants, the oodles of internet cafes and the inexpensive accommodation. Haridwar on the other hand, wasn't nearly as affordable as Varanasi nor was it as easy to find to a place to grab Chinese food.
I didn't have much time in Haridwar so I spent the afternoon walking up and down the ghats looking at everything for sale. It was a Hot Damn of a day so I sat myself under a tree and people watched for a bit, too.
Bathing in the Ganges is popular all along it's banks. Haridwar is an especially popular spot because it's one of the seven holiest places to Hindus. I don't get the throwing garbage everywhere thing, but at this point, whatever.
This kid swore the cow wasn't girlfriend. I didn't believe it for a minute.
Because Haridwar was my last stop before home, I decided on a little henna. If I have any advice for anyone going to India, make sure you agree on a price before you commit to something. This was the only time I didn't confirm a price and they totally took advantage of me. The henna should have cost about $4 CAD but they tried to make me pay $12. Fortunately, Indian men do not respond well to crying and I got them down to about $6.
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