About Haridwar
Haridwar is a city in Uttarakhand state in India. Haridwar is the place where after flowing through 250 kms from its origin Gaumukh (Gangotri Glacier), river Ganges enters in plain areas i;e enter north India.
Haridwar is the place where people not only from India but also from all over the world come to visit the pilgrimage and also for taking a holy dip into the holy river Ganges. Haridwar is an ancient city & it is one of the most revered cities in India. The diverse nature of Hindu religion in Haridwar has attracted foreign tourists from all over the world. This is the place where foreigners are forever fascinated because at Haridwar they can personally familiarize with various Hindu rituals, India's complex culture and the ancient civilization.
Haridwar is the place from which river Ganges come out from the mountains & enters the plain. Abundant green forests and crystal like clear water of river Ganges & background of mountains all contribute in enhancing the charming beauty of this holy city. In the evening the beauty of Ghats is eye-catching, when Ghats hundreds of diyas (lamps) and marigold flowers float and light up the river Ganges. . "Agar apne paap dhone hai to Haridwar mein Gangaji ki dubki lagao" (If you want to purify yourselves take a holy dip in the water of river Ganges at Haridwar. All your sins will be purified). This is most common thing which you can hear about Haridwar all over India. For wildlife tour you can enjoy Rajaji National Park which is just 10 kms from Haridwar. Those who are wild life and adventure lovers this is the perfect destination.
The word Haridwar is a union of two words Hari & Dwar. Hari means god & Dwar means gate. And so Haridwar means gateway to the god. India is famous for the Chardham yatra and this yatra is to the four holy temples Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath located on the hills, the yatra is known as Chardham yatra and these temples are famous as Chardham. Haridwar is doorway to these chardham. So if you want to visit chardham then you have to visit Haridwar first. As per Shaivites Haridwar is Har Dwar i:e Gateway to Lord Shiva (Kedarnath Temple) and as per Vaishnavites it is HariDwar i:e Gateway to Lord Vishnu (Badrinath Temple). As per our mythology Haridwar is blessed by the existence of all three chief Gods of Hindus Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar. This is the reason which makes Haridwar as the Gateway to God.
Located in the foothills of the shivalik range in Garhwal Himalayas Haridwar is an ancient pilgrimage spot. It is the place which welcomes river Ganga to the plain areas. Haridwar in actual sense means innumerable temples, gurgling of river Ganges, enchanting sounds of Vedic hymns, groups of monks in saffron clothes and the divine holiness.
Haridwar has not only religious importance but is also a centre for learning different arts & culture. Like Rishikesh Haridwar is also huge source of Ayurvedic medicines & herbal remedies. In Haridwar you can see “Gurukula” till now which is an Indian tradition of teaching. Since 1902 Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalay is providing unique teaching in Gurukul.
For researchers Haridwar is always a place of interest because it is one of the oldest living cities in India. It is the place which has numerous temples with interesting legacies. It is at Haridwar only that Maa Ganga after carrying the purity of heaven from the kamandal of Lord Brahma, washing the feet of Lord Vishnu and flowing through the sahastrara of Lord Shiva came on this earth and made Haridwar a divine flow area.
From several years Maa Ganga has been doing the duty of absorbing the heat and negativities of this earth. Gegraphically Haridwar is divided in several small areas such as Mayapur, Jwalapur, Ranipur, Har Ki Pauri, Devpura, Motichur, Bhupatwala, Haipur Kalan, Shivalik Nagar, Haipur Kalan, Brhampuri. Not only this, Haridwar is the place where one of the four places where Kumbh Mela occurs after rotation of every twelve Years and ArdhKumbh after every six years.
History of Haridwar:
It has been proved by archaeological findings that terracotta culture had an existence in Haridwar during 1700 B.C. & 1800 B.C. Haridwar has been in people's mind from the period of Buddha to the British arrival & still in the 21st century. Haridwar was ruled by Maurya Empire from 322 BCE to 185 BCE and later it came under the rule of Kushan Empire according to historical evidences. Well-known Chinese traveler Huan Tsang visited India in 629 AD. He has mentioned Haridwar in his travel journal. At that time Haridwar was part of the kingdom of the King Harshvardhan (590 to 647). The city was also invaded by Timur Lang (1336–1405), a Turkish King on January 13, 1399. First Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak (1469–1539) bathed at ‘KushwanGhat’ on Baisakhi Day. Later in the 16th century Haridwar came under reign of Mughals and emperors like Akbar and Jehangir stamped their dominated here. According to Ain-e-Akbari Mughal Emperor, Akbar drank water from the Ganges river collected from Haridwar, which he called ‘the water of immortality’.
Thomas Coryat, an English traveler visited Haridwar during the reign of Jehangir. In 18th century Haridwar was a port city & it was widely used by ships of East India Company. One of the two major dams on the river Ganges is the Bhimgoda Dam. It is situated in Haridwar. Dam was opened in 1854. Haridwar Municipality' was constituted in 1868 including Kankhal&Mayapur. Haridwar was connected with railways by Laksar Railway Station in 1886. In 1901, Haridwar has population of 25,597 &Haridwar was a part of the Roorkee tehsil, in Saharanpur district of the United Province. Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya was established in 1902. In 1946 Haridwar was merged in Uttar Pradesh State.
Haridwar Legends:
Haridwar is mentioned in various ancient Indian scriptures (Purans, Upanishads & Mahabharata) as a Mayapur, Kapilsthan, Mokshdwar or Gangadwar. In Mahabharata great sage Dhaumya mentioned Haridwar (Gangadwar) as a major pilgrimage town to Yudhisthira.
The legendary King Bhagirath, great grandson of the King Sagar of Suryavanshi clan (an ancestor of Lord Rama), is said that he brought the river Ganga down from heaven, through his long penance of many years, for the salvation of the souls of his 60,000 ancestors from the curse of the sage Kapila. The penance was answered & the river Ganges trickled out from Lord Shiva's locks and its ample holy waters rejuvenated the 60,000 sons of King Sagara. Sage Kapila lived here in his ashram so this place was also known as Kapilsthan. The tradition which was established by King Bhagirath is now followed by thousands of Hindu devotees, who bring the ashes of their departed family members, in hope of their salvation by the water of river Ganges.
Pandits (Priests) of the Haridwar have been known to keep genealogy records of most of the Hindu population. Known as vahis, these records are updated on each visit to the city, and are a repository of vast family trees of family in North India.
It is believed that nectar (Amrit) which was one of the fourteen valuable ornaments that came out from the sea churning (Samundra Manthan) was sprinkled at 12 places in the entire universe. Out of that 12 places 08 places are in heaven & only 04 places on earth. Har-Ki-Pauri in Haridwar was one of the four places where Amrit was sprinkled on earthr. As a result, every 12 years Khumbh Mela comes to Haridwar& draws more than half a million pilgrims. The Ardha Kumbha Mela comes once in every six years.
It is also said that Haridwar has been blessed by the attendance of all three major Gods; Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh. Lord Vishnu is said to have left his footprint on the stone that is set in the upper wall of Har-Ki-Pauri, where the Holy Ganges touches it. It is believed to have been the place where Sati (Lord Shiva’s first wife) consigned herself in the Yagna (sacrificial fire). The terrible TandavaNrutya (dance of destruction) performed by Lord Shiva in sorrow led to Lord Vishnu dismembering Sati’s body, with the different parts scattering across India. Pilgrims believe that they can go to heaven by getting their salvation after a holy dip in the river Ganges at Haridwar.
Shopping In Haridwar:
Whenever we go to visit a place we always wan some special souvenirs of the trip for our family, friends or relatives. Haridwar is a pilgrimage place, so the trend of big shop bargains is missing. In Haridwar you can have varieties for Shopping. In the local markets you can get gems, precious & semi precious stones, jewelry, clothes, rudraksh, idols, spiritual books & other spiritual items. The major shopping areas are in the main market.
Weather in Haridwar:
Haridwar is a place which can be visited throughout the year, though the best time to visit Haridwar is September, October & November. From Mid February to late May its spring season in Haridwar. From mid May to July its summer season. In Haridwar monsoon begins in late July till the September. In winter the temperature is as low as 6 degree Celsius & during summer temperature is as high as 39 degree Celsius.
How to reach Haridwar:
Haridwar is well connected by road with Delhi as well as other cities. Haridwar Railway Station is also very good option. Dehradun is nearest airport to Haridwar which is just 25 kms far from here & have daily flights from New Delhi.
Haridwar by Air: There are daily flights from New Delhi to Dehradun. There is also Air India flight from Lucknow on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Air India, Jet Konnect & Spice is major airlines which have daily flights from Delhi.
Haridwar by Road: Haridwar is Just 220 kms far from New Delhi by Road. It takes almost 06 – 07 hrs drive to reach here. Road is via Meerut Bypass & Roorkee.
Haridwar by Rail: Haridwar Railway station is very popular option to reach by train. Shatabdi Express (Train Number 12017), A/C Special (Train Number 12205) & Mussoorie Express (Train Number 14041) are one of the best options to reach Haridwar from New Delhi.