Haridwar

Situated in the Indian State of Uttarakhand, Haridwar is the place where the river Ganga enters the Indo-Gangetic plain, after traveling 253 kms from its origin at Gomukh, located 10300 ft above sea level. Because of its association with the river Ganga, Haridwar is also called Gangadwara.

Haridwar is regarded by the Hindus as one of the seven holy places where a man can have his sins washed off and soul purified by taking a dip in the Ganga. This is also a favourite place for the sages and spiritually devoted people to meditate on the banks of the river. Devout Hindus believe that this is the place where the nectar of immortality fell from the pitcher, which was being carried away by the mythical bird Garuda after the “Samudra Manthan”. Kumbh Mela is held in Haridwar every 12 years to mark this significant mythological event. The other places where the nectar fell are Ujjain, Nasik and Allahabad. Kumbh Mela is also held at these places once in every 3 years. Millions of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world converge on Kumbh Mela to celebrate the event.

Legend

A number of popular legends revolve around Haridwar. Ganga was impressed by prolonged penance undertaken by Bhagirath. She decided to come down on the earth and cleanse it of the ashes of Bhagirath’s ancestors who became the victims of the curse of the great sage Kapila who had his hermitage in Haridwar. Another legend has it that “Haridwar” derives its name from the fact that it is the “Dwar” (Door) to “Hari” (Vishnu). It is one of the seven sacred places where one can attain “Moksha”.

According to the third legend, King Shwet worshipped Lord Brahma at Har Ki Pauri. Satisfied with the King’s devotion, Lord Brahma granted him a boon. The King’s wish was that Lord Brahma should henceforth reside at the place along with Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The name Brahmakund, the stream of water at Har Ki Pauri, can be traced back to this legend. Devotees take dip in the stream with the belief that they will enjoy the blessings of all the three Lords forming the Holy Trinity of Hinduism.

When to go

The ideal time to visit Haridwar is between October and March. However, tourists can visit the holy city at other times of the year too.

How to go

Haridwar is well-connected by road to other cities of the country. National Highway No.45 passes through Haridwar and visitors can available themselves of all types of vehicles for local transportation and inner city drives.

Excellent railway services to Haridwar are available from all parts of the country. In fact, trains cope with the majority of the visitors to Haridwar round-the-year.

Jolly Grant in Dehradun is the nearest airport which is located 41 km away from Haridwar.

Where to stay

A wide range of stay options are available in Haridwar. Right from luxury hotels to budget hotels, visitors of all classes can choose suitable accommodation according to their need and capacity. A large number of pilgrims prefer to stay in ashrams and “dharamshalas” that provide simple accommodation at cheap rates.

Places to visit

Har Ki Pauri

Har Ki Pauri, or Brahmakund, is believed to be the place where the Ganga enters the plains. According to another legend, the divine nectar (Amrit) fell on this spot from the cosmic “Kumbh”. This is the most popular “Ghat” in Haridwar.

Chandi Devi Temple

Chandi Devi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Chandi who killed Chanda-Munda, the lieutenant of the notorious demons Shumbh-Nishumbh. It was built by Suchat Singh, the King of Kashmir, in 1929 AD. It is located on top of Neel Parvat and is 3 km away from Chandi Ghat. The legend has it that the original image of Goddess Chandi was established by Adi Shankaracharya in 8th century. The temple can be accessed by rope way car or Udan Khatola as it is called by the local people.

Mansa Devi Temple

Dedicated to Goddess Mansa, this temple is located 1 km north of Har Ki Pauri on top of Bilwa Parvat. It is accessible by the rope way and by trekking. Visitors can have a spectacular view of Haridwar from Bilwa Parvat. .

Daksha Mahadev Temple

This temple is situated in Kankhal, located 4 km away from Haridwar. As the legend says, King Daksha Prajapati did not invite his son-in-law Lord Shiva to a great “Yagna” performed by him. Moreover, he made some adverse comments on Lord Shiva in front of the invitees. His daughter Sati, wife of Lord Shiva could not bear the insult to her husband. In protest against her father’s act, she immolated herself in the fire of the “Yagna”.

Sapt Rishi

Located 5 km away from Haridwar, this is the place where the Ganga divides herself into seven small streams. Sapt Rishi means seven sages who forced the Ganga to divide herself into seven channels with their devotion.

Maya Devi Temple

This ancient temple is dedicated to Maya Devi, the “Adhisthatri” deity of Haridwar. It is considered to be one of the “Shaktipeethas” in India. The legend has it that when Lord Shiva was carrying the dead body of His wife Sati, who had burnt herself to protect her husband’s honour, her heart and navel had fallen at this place.

Ganga Aarti

It is an extraordinary experience to see “Ganga Aarti” in the evening at Har Ki Pauri. Innumerable people stand on the banks of the river and offer lamps and flowers to Ganga. Against the background of darkness, thousands of floating lamps in the Ganga make an irresistible spectacle.

Kanva Rishi Ashram

Situated on the banks of the river Malini, the ashram is dedicated to the famous ancient sage Kanva. It is 42 km from Haridwar along the forest road to Kotdwar.

Rajaji National Park

Chila Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Rajaji National Park, is one of the most sought after tourist spot in Haridwar. This is of special interest for the wildlife enthusiasts who can have thrilling views of elephants, tigers, leopards, deer, and a host of resident and migratory birds moving around in the jungle.

Rishikesh

The holy town, located on the banks of the Ganga, is famous for its rope bridge “Lakshman Jhula”. It is said that Lord Rama’s brother Lakshman had crossed the river on a rope made of jute. Subsequently, a modern bridge was set up to enable the devotees to cross the river. There is a temple dedicated to Lakshman on the western bank of the river.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

The temple is located 12 km from Rishikesh. According to legend, during “Sagar Manthan” a huge quantity of effluent venom gushed out of the ocean and it endangered the existence of the earth. Lord Shiva gulped all the venom to save the earth and as a result, the colour of His throat turned blue (Neel). Hence Lord Shiva is also called Neelkanth.

Sati Kund

It is 4 km away from Haridwar and situated in the Kankhal. According to legend, Sati courted death by burning herself in this kund.

Bhimgoda Tank

Legend has it that while the Pandavas were on their way to the Himalayas, Bhima drew water from the rocks by pushing his knee through to the ground. The tank is located 1 km away from Har Ki Pauri.

Parad Shivling

A huge Shivling, weighing about 150 kg, is situated in Harihar Ashram, 2 km away from Haridwar. Pilgrims turn out in large number to have a “darshan” of the Ling and a Rudraksha tree within the premises of the temple.

Bharat Mata Mandir

It is a modern temple, dedicated to the Bharat Mata, where there is pictorial display of the the history of India, ranging from the days of the Ramayana till its attainment of independence.

Piran Kaliyar

This famous Dargah of the 13th century Sufi saint Hazrat Alauddin Sabir Kaliyari was built by Ibrahim Lodhi. Located in Kaliyar village, thousands of devotees from all over the world visit this Dargha during the annual ‘Urs’ festival. It also stands as a symbol of communal harmony.