Legend holds that one can attain moksha (nirvana) just by the touch of Ganges from Haridwar or the Gateway to God. The village has got such an esteemed place in Indian way of thought. Haridwar is considered to be blessed by the trio of lords Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva). Har ki Pauri is one of the holiest ghats in India and it is believed that a drop of the immortal exilier fell here, testimonied by the footprint of Lord Vishnu. Haridwar became an integral part of Uttarakhand on 9th November 2000 when the state was carved out of Uttar Pradesh. Today it houses many symbols of modern growth like Industrial Estate of State Infrastructure & Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCUL) and BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) and the ancillaries of these businesses. Many professional builders have constructed housing societies for vacationers and retired people. Get to know more about Haridwar through this section.
Attractions
People visit Haridwar to forget all their worldly desires, anxieties and ‘unholy’ things connected with their lives. Haridwar has the ‘Panch Teerth’ mentioned in the Puranas located within the district mainly known as Gangadwara (Har-ki-Pauri), Kushwart Ghat, Kankhal, Bilwa Teerth (Mansa Devi) and Neel Parvat (Chandi Devi).
Chandi Devi Temple
Situated on the top of Neel Parvat, in Haridwar, Chandi Devi Temple is one of the most famous temples of India. Considered to be one of the Shaktipeeths of North India, this place is of great religious significance. It is said to have the power to fulfill the wishes of devotees and this is why it is also known as Siddhpeetha.
Daksha Mahadev Temple
Daksha Mahadev temple is one of the most ancient temples of Lord Shiva, situated in Kankhal. The temple is approximately 4 km away from the main township of Haridwar. Mythologies relate this temple to Daksha Yagya. According to the legends, Goddess Sati's father Daksha Prajapati performed a yagna, a holy ritual, at this place, but did not invite Lord Shiva, his son-in-law.
Places to See Near Haridwar
Considered as one of the most sacred pilgrims in Hindu Religion, Haridwar according to some mythological text is one of those four sacred places in India where the elixir of immorality accidentally spilled from heaven. It is also famous for the Kumb Mela celebrated here once in every three years.
Har Ki Pauri Haridwar
One of the most famous and most visited sites of Haridwar, Har ki Pauri is considered as one of its five main holy sites. It is believed to be the sacred place where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, two great Hindu Gods, appeared in the Vedic era. This place is considered equivalent to the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Banaras, in religious terms.
History
The city of Haridwar is an ancient city of India, mentioned in several Upanishads and Puranas with different names such as Gangadwara, Mayapuri and Kapilasthana. The city’s name literally meaning the ‘Doorway of / to Gods’, is equally important to both Shaivites (Shiva followers) and Vaishnavites (Vishnu followers).
How to Reach
Haridwar is a sacrosanct place in Uttarakhand well-connected to the rest of India by various means of transport. Delhi, the capital of India, is just at 214km from Haridwar. Hardwar’s existence is supposed to be from the days of Pandavas of Mahabharata, so one can safely assume that the place is really ancient.
Things to Do in Haridwar
Haridwar, considered to be blessed by the Hindi Trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahesh (Shiva), is one of the most sacred cities in India. It is home to Har ki Pauri, the bathing ghat where river Ganga is said to rid people of all their sins, just by taking a dip in its waters.
Mansa Devi Temple
Situated atop the Bilwa Parvat, on Shivalik Hills, Mansa Devi is approximately 2.5 km from the main township of Haridwar. One of the most visited temples in North India, the temple is known for being the holy abode of Goddess Mansa, the wife of Nag Vasuki and the brainchild of Saint Kashyap.
Weather
Haridwar is located in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. However, since it is not cradled by the mountains, its weather is also affected by the conditions in other parts of Northern India. Maximum temperature in summers reaches up to 42°C. In winters, the temperature falls to 18°C in winters.
Shopping
Haridwar, being primarily a pilgrimage destination, has numerous shops along its streets selling all essentials that a pilgrim would need. The streets between the railway station and famous Har Ki Pauri are filled with such shops.
