Haridwar, India

Capital City

Haridwar is no spiritual utopia - it's a congested pilgrim hub with a population of 310,562 (2011). The bureaucratic headaches are a persistent nuisance, from strict bans on meat and eggs within city limits to the complex paperwork required to access protected nature reserves. And while the Ganges river may be sacred, it's also polluted, with the water quality varying wildly by season. Overall, Haridwar caters primarily to the devout, offering little for those seeking a tranquil retreat.