Divine Delights: Best Food Finds in Haridwar

Welcome back to my blog! This is my fourth blog on "MUST TRY WHEN IN". If you have stayed tuned, you might now have known my journey since the past 2 years!

March 2021 - Jaipur
January 2022 - Bihar
March 2022 - Jamshedpur
April 2022 - Agra
December 2022 - Haridwar
January 2023 - Ludhiana;
February 2023 - Manali

This was my TRAVEL TIMELINE for the past 2 years. The first 3 blogs are already out and now, here I am presenting you the best of the eateries to explore in Haridwar.

The place needs no introduction. Haridwar is the land of holy river Gange. The spiritual gateway to the holy River Ganges. Apart from its religious significance and soul-stirring atmosphere, Haridwar is also a haven for food enthusiasts. The city offers a unique blend of traditional vegetarian cuisine and delectable street food that will leave you craving for more. In this blog, we will explore the best food finds in Haridwar, allowing you to embark on a culinary journey that perfectly complements your spiritual experience. I literally wanted to travel here to attend the Ganga Aarti which was my dream-come-true. I must not forget to mention the bliss and peace I gathered here. Not only my mind was calm but my heart equally was at peace. We stayed here at the Prem Nagar Ashram which has breath-taking views of the Ganga.


We began the day at 5 AM in the morning and set off to Har ki Pauri as we did not wanted to be late for the morning Ganga Aarti. It was 2 degrees. When we reached the ghat and touched the holy water, it was extremely chilling-cold. But the cold knew no boundaries when we finally were a part of the aarti. It was so soul-filling, calm and peaceful that it is not explainable in words.



1. MOHANJI PURI WALE - ALOO POORIS & KACHORIS

Start your food adventure in Haridwar with a plate of piping hot Aloo Poori. This classic breakfast dish consists of fluffy deep-fried bread (poori) served with a spicy and tangy potato curry (aloo). The combination of the crispy pooris and flavorful aloo sabzi is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Indulge in this traditional dish to kick-start your day on a delightful note. Right after the Ganga Aarti and a cold dubki in the chilly morning, we immediately headed to Har ki Pauri. We stopped at this shop named Mohan Ji Puri Wala and tried their Puri Chole plate (4 puris with chole and aloo) and the Kachori with sabzi which I found quite average. It was early in the morning (7:30 AM) that we arrived at this shop and we were amazed seeing the crowd! After that, we had tea from a local vendor. I must say, this was a heavy breakfast!

Haridwar is renowned for its scrumptious Kachoris, a popular street food snack. These deep-fried pastries are stuffed with a variety of fillings such as lentils, spices, and aromatic herbs. The crispy and flaky exterior of the kachoris, combined with the flavorful fillings, creates a burst of flavors with every bite. Accompanied by tangy chutneys, Kachoris are a must-try for street food lovers.




2. CHOTIWALA

After covering a few more local temples here, at 11 AMish, we again sat down at Chotiwala to have the craziest and crunchiest chole bhature. Chotiwala also serves a variety of other North Indian dishes, Indian desserts, and drinks. We were then ready to do our UDAN-KHATOLA ride to Mansa Devi Temple.




3. MANSA DEVI TEMPLE

At the top of the temple, we prayed religiously and sat at the local canteen where they serve chinese, south Indian and basics. The place is pretty commercialized now. The Idli-chutney that we had was just satisfactory.


View from Mansa Devi Temple top


4. BADA BAZAAR

Once we came down, we realised our full-course meal was incomplete without dessert. Hence, we immediately hunted for a shop to serve us with the best dessert. We found a gem and tried the Kala Jamun there. They also had rabdi and lassi but we were too full to try anything else out! We spent the rest of the exploring the local markets and returned to our ashram at 5 PM. Also, no visit to Haridwar is complete without trying the famous Malai Peda. These creamy and melt-in-your-mouth sweet delights are made with condensed milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom. The pedas are often garnished with pistachios or almonds, adding a delightful crunch to their smooth texture. Don't miss the chance to savor this traditional sweet treat that has been a part of Haridwar's culinary heritage for generations.



5. Om Bhojnalaya

After resting a bit, we again headed out for dinner. We had the most amazing Chaap roll, Veg Kebab Parantha and juiciest paneer roll. It was the best paneer roll that I have had here. I must mention this is a small stall located just in front of the Prem Nagar Ashram but serves the best rolls. Aaaand, we were too full and tired. Hence, we rushed back to the hotel to rest up!

6. STREET SIDE GUAVAS

The juiciest guavas we had later (the other morning). Since we had eaten just way too much the other day...we had to control a bit.




The next day, we headed to Rishikesh to explore the area. We did rafting and other activities and here also, explored the local eateries. #Staytuned to my next blog to read more about it!

Haridwar's culinary offerings provide a delightful fusion of spiritual experiences and gastronomic delights. From the soul-satisfying Aloo Poori and Chole Bhature to the indulgent sweetness of Rabri and Malai Peda, the city's food finds will leave you with a sense of fulfillment and a memorable culinary experience. So, when you embark on your spiritual journey to Haridwar, make sure to treat your taste buds to these divine delights. Happy feasting.

Instagram Reference Guide - https://www.instagram.com/diptijha3/guide/travel-series-06-haridwar/17970246116199231/

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