Haridwar, on the right bank
of River Ganga at the feet of Shivalik ranges, an ancient pilgrim city is
one of the holiest places for Hindus. Haridwar is at the point where the
river Ganga spreads over the northern plain. It lies at the base of the
Shivalik Hills where the Ganga passes through its last gorge and begins a
2000 km journey across the plains. One of the four venues for the Kumbh
Mela, a festival held once in twelve years, it is among the seven sacred
cities of India. A holy dip at Har-Ki-Pauri is a must for every devotee.
Har ki Pauri
Haridwar has very rich ancient
religious and cultural heritage. In the ancient scriptures of India, this
place is well known by the name of Mayapur. This city is also well known
for many other things apart from the holy river Ganges. Haridwar has
privilege of having IIT at Roorkee, formerly known as University of
Roorkee, founded in 1847 as a first technical institute of India.
The tomb Piran Kaliar of
Shabir Shahib in Roorkee is a living example of religious harmony in India
which is visited by the people of all religious sects from all over the
world. There is another University in the city called Gurukul Kangri
Vishva Vidyalaya apart from the head quarter of Uttaranchal State Public
Service Commission also being established at Haridwar.
Connectivity :
By Air :
The nearest airport is Delhi, 220 kms away.
By Rail :
There are convenient train connections from Delhi.
By Road :
It's around a 5 hours drive from Delhi, and about a 2 hours drive from
Dehra Dun.
Rishikesh is just 22 km away.
A cascade of devotion!
Har-ki-Pauri : The Main ghat and is supposed to be at the precise spot where the Ganges
leaves the mountains and enters the plains. Consequently, the river's
power to wash away sins at this place is superlative and endorsed by a
footprint Vishnu (God of Hindu) left in a stone here. The ghat is on the
west bank of a canal through which the Ganges is diverted just to the
north.
Bara
Bazaar : On the north
side of the canal, between Har-Ki-Pauri and the Upper Rd, is the vivid
Bara Bazaar. Along with the religious paraphernalia, or prasaad (food
offered to the gods, images of the deities, religious pamphlets etc) are
scores of small stalls crammed along both sides of bazaar selling an
assortment of goods including shawls, brassware, glass bangles, wooden
whistels, bamboo canes and can baskets.
Mansa
Devi Temple: On the top
of the hill overlooking Haridwar, this temple is dedicated to the goddess
mansa. Mansa is one of the forms of Shakti Durga who makes wishes come
true. It is connected by a ropeway to the heart of town.
Chandi
Ghat Temple :
Constructed on Nhil Hill by a Kashmir raja, Suchet Singh, in 1929, and
there are a number of temple at the hill. You may see large river turtles
on the banks of the Nildhara River.
Gorkhnath
Temple : An imposing
edifice dedicated to Guru Gorkhnath on main road leading to Har- Ki-Pauri.
As might be expected in such an ancient pilgrim centre, Haridwar has
temples for all devotees, all shades of religious persuasions under that
great umbrella of faith called Hinduism.
Saptrishi
Ashram : About 5km from
Haridwar, named after the seven rishis (sages) who prayed here for the
good of humanity. It has mythological origin and it is said that
Saptrishis (Seven sages) who had trapped the Ganga agreed to release the
River on King Bhagirath's request, provided it split into seven streams.
Bharat
Mata Temple : It is a
'modern' temple dedicated to 'Mother India'. An imposing seven- storyes
high structure, it has statues of gods and goddesses and other Indian
saints, sages and heroes of Indian myth and legend.
Pawan
Dham temple : This
temple is famed for its fantastic glass and mirrorwork, and its
elaborately garbed idols. |
