A self-guided walk through Kankhal, Haridwar's oldest quarter: Daksheswara Mahadev, Sati Kund, old havelis and ashrams.
A few kilometres south of Har Ki Pauri, Kankhal feels like a different town: quiet lanes, painted havelis, old ashrams and calm ghats. It is also one of the most sacred places in the Shaiva tradition, and the perfect half-day break from the Kumbh crowds.
The legend of Kankhal
King Daksha Prajapati held a great yagna in Kankhal and deliberately did not invite his son-in-law, Lord Shiva. His daughter Sati, Shiva's wife, went anyway. Humiliated by her father's insults to Shiva, she gave up her life in the sacrificial fire. Shiva's grief and fury, and the scattering of Sati's body across the land, gave rise to the Shakti Peethas. Maya Devi in Haridwar is one of them.
The walk
1. Daksheswara Mahadev Temple
Begin at Daksheswara Mahadev, built at the site of Daksha's yagna. The complex includes a pit said to mark the yagna kund, and the Das Mahavidya temple. Behind it is the Daksha ghat on the Ganga.
2. Sati Kund
A short ride away, Sati Kund is traditionally associated with Sati's self-immolation. It is a quiet, reflective spot.
3. Kankhal's lanes and havelis
Wander the old lanes. Many 19th- and early 20th-century havelis have carved doorways, wall paintings and courtyards. Several old families of Haridwar's pandas (pilgrim priests) live in this area.
4. Ashrams
Kankhal is home to several well-known ashrams, including the Anandamayi Ma Ashram, where the saint's samadhi shrine is located. Visitors are generally welcome at set times. Please dress modestly and keep silence where asked.
Practical tips
- Best time: morning, before the day gets busy.
- Getting there: e-rickshaw or taxi from Har Ki Pauri, about 15–20 minutes depending on traffic.
- Maha Shivratri week (6–8 March 2027): Daksheswara Mahadev is very crowded. Visit another day if you want calm.
- Combine with a riverside lunch, then return for the evening aarti.
Add Kankhal to your trip
Kankhal is included in our Haridwar Kumbh Snan Package and Senior Citizen Yatra. Kankhal's ashrams are also an option for longer, quieter stays.
By KMII Travel Desk · Updated 3 Oct 2026
