The land where the holy River Ganges descends into the planes,
Haridwar is the holiest of Hindu cities.
Haridwar, literally meaning the gateway of the Lord, is visited by devout Hindus at least once in a lifetime to get rid of ones sins and purify the body and soul by bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganges. Located on the foothills of Shivaliks,
Haridwar is thronged by pilgrims and tourists from across the globe alike. This mystical town of Haridwar opens the windows of the rich Hindu civilization to a person coming from the west. Haridawr has been called by many names in ancient holy texts such as Mokshdwar, Gangadwar, Mayapuri and Kapilsthan.
Haridwar is a holy town which happens to be sanctified by being one of the major Shakteepeethas since times immemorial.
Haridwar has also been a major center of Hindu learning, philosophy and culture and arts.
Haridwar is one of the oldest cities of India which have continued maintaining the Gurukul tradition of learning.
Haridwar is the gateway of the revered char dhams situated in Uttarakhand- Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamnotri.
This revered city is one of the four places where the much celebrated Ardh Kumbha Mela takes place in every six years and the Kumbha Mela in every 12 years. Being enveloped by the Himalayas the holy city of Haridawr looks magnificent. Nature's bounty can truly be witnessed by a traveler here.
The spiritual experience one gets in
Haridwar is unparalleled. The daily Ganga arti at Har-ki-pauri, with thousands of pilgrims singing praises of the sacred river with lit up lamps, is something which will leave you completely mesmerized. The spiritual extravaganza is accompanied by a healthy way of living which includes several Yoga and Ayurvedic centers in the city.
Haridwar undoubtedly provides one with a kaleidoscope of Indian civilization and culture.
Places to See in HaridwarThe gateway of Gods,
Haridwar is undoubtedly a kaleidoscope of Indian civilization and culture. Being blessed by the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh Haridwar holds immense significance for a devout Hindu. The numerous temples dedicated to a host of Hindu gods and goddess is a major puller for the pilgrims. Haridwar also happens to be an ancient shakteepeeth thus again attracting lot of ardent devotees. As it is in
Haridwar that the holy Ganges descends in the planes, a large number of Hindus come here to take a holy dip. Read on to know more about the places to visit when in
Haridwar.
Hari Ki Pauri Hari ki pauri ghat was built by King Vikramaditya to commemorate the descending of Ganga after years of difficult prayers and fasting done by his ancestor Bhagirathi. Lord Vishnu is believed to have left his foot prints on a rock at this ghat. Everyday at twilight the Har ki pauri ghat comes to life with singing prayers and lit up lamps along the Ganges where people in hundreds and thousands view this mesmerizing and cleansing ritual. It is believed that the one who bathes at Har ki pauri gets rid of all sins and completely cleanses their soul. Floral tributes and lit up diyas floating on the Ganges is the most enchanting sight one gets at this ghat.
Chandi Devi Standing atop the Neel Parvat, the Chandi Devi temple was built in 1929 AD by the king of Kashmir Suchat Singh. It is believed that the main statue of goddess Chandi devi, who killed the demon brothers Shumbh-Nishumbh, was laid here in the 8th century AD by Adi Shankracharya. The Chandi Devi temple can now be reached by a ropeway as well.
Mansa Devi Situated on the southernmost hill of the Shivalik ranges is the Durga temple called Mansa Devi. One can reach this temple either on foot or by a cable car. Perched on Bilwa Parvat, the temple provides a panoramic view of the Haridwar city with the Ganges flowing in its middle.
Sapt Rishi Ashram & Sapt Sarovar It is at this place that Ganges is believed to have divided itself into seven small streams to not to disturb the Sapt (seven) Rishis meditating and worshipping here.
Bharat Mata Mandir It is one of its kind temples in Haridwar and is dedicated to Mother India, tracing its history from the times of Ramayana to present day. This eight storied temple houses the pictures and idols of some of the great Indian men from ancient to present times and pictures of the cities of the country. A must visit to get a sneak preview in to the history and culture of India.
Sati Kund This is the holy place where the wife of Lord Shiva, Mata Sati is believed to have done the ritual of self-immolation. The ghat here is thus famous today as Sati Kund.
Rajaji National Park / Chila Wildlife Sanctuary The Rajaji National Park, spread over an area of 240 sq km, houses the Chila wildlife Sanctuary and is situated at a distance of 10 km from Haridwar. Situated on the banks of River Ganges, the sanctuary is a haven for a large number of animals. This biodiversity park boasts of nearly 23 mammals and about 315 fauna species. The river in the park houses large number of fishes and fauna in the water. At Chila you can have the pleasure of spotting leopard, tigers, jungle cat, herd of elephants, wild boar, stags, spotted deer, sloth bear, langur, monkeys, woodpecker, king cobra etc. During the monsoons the park remains closed and otherwise it is open after sunrise and closed after dusk.
How to Reach HaridwarLocated at the foot of Himalayan Shivalik ranges, Haridwar is situated in the state of Uttarakhand. Haridwar is close to several major North Indian cities and is about 214 km from the capital city of New Delhi. This revered city of Hindus is visited by millions every year to experience the spirituality and the divinity associated with the place. Find about various ways how you can reach this holy city from different parts of the country and beyond.
By Air Haridwar does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport to Haridwar is located in Dehradun called the Jolly Grant airport* which is about 35 km away from the city. From Dehradun you can either board a train or hit the road to reach
Haridwar. Also one can take a flight to the International Airport at Delhi and from here one can take a train or road journey to the holy city. Jolly Grant airport is presently undergoing renovation and therefore closed for flights
By Rail The Indian Railways has a railway station at
Haridwar which is connected by trains from major cities of India. Reaching Haridwar by train is one of the most convenient and economical means. Trains from Ujjain, Delhi, Varanasi, Bombay, Allahabad, Amritsar, Lucknow and Dehradun all ply regularly to
Haridwar. Some of the important trains running to Haridwar are Bombay-Dehradun, Doon Express, Gorakhpur - Dehradun Express, Ujjaini Express, Varanasi-Dehradun Express, Dehradun-Allahabad Link Express, Mussoorie Express (Delhi-Dehradun), Shatabdi Express (Delhi- Dehradun).
By Road Many inter-state deluxe, semi-deluxe and ordinary buses ply to Haridwar everyday. If you wish to come in a large group you can even book a private bus for coming to Haridwar. For a smaller group private cabs or even your own vehicle can be used to reach
Haridwar. In the course of the journey you will find several restaurants, hotels, motels and even garages for servicing of the vehicle.
