Haridwar
Haridwar is one of the most frequented and revered holy destinations in India.
‘Haridwar’ literally means ‘Gateway to God’. It’s perhaps named so as it opens the doors to ‘Char Dham’ namely Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
Haridwar has been recounted, time after time in Hindu mythology where it’s been referred to by various names like Gangadwar, Kapilasthan and Mayapuri.
This is where Ganga descends into plains from the heavenly mountains and its believed that a dip in the holy waters of Ganga washes away one’s sins, rejuvenates the soul and facilitates achieving salvation or ‘moksha’.
Haridwar has been a place of interest to both believers and non-believers who are simply struck by the atmosphere of the town. Clear water of Ganga, believers bathing on the ghats, sadhus sitting in deep meditation, pandits performing pujas and the celestial evening aarti at Har-ki-pauri…. all make up the experience an ethereal one and represents the view of India as we see on picture postcards.
Today’s generation is taken aback when they are approached by strange men who escort them to their family ‘pandas’ who keep their genealogical records called ‘vahis’ which are a repository of vast family trees of most of the families in North India. These are updated by pandas on each visit from any of the family members to the place.
Legend
As per mythology, Haridwar is one of the four places where drops of ‘amrit’, the elixir of immortality accidently spilled from the pitcher being carried by the celestial bird ‘Garuda’. These drops had fallen at ‘Brahma-Kund’ located at ‘Har-ki-pauri’ which literally means ‘footsteps of the Lord’ and is believed to bear the footprints of Lord Vishnu.
The other three places where the ’amrit’ drops had fallen (Ujjain, Nasik and Allahabad) are again held in deep reverence and Kumbh Mela is organized every three years in rotation among these places and hence held every 12 years at each of these cities.
Another mythological story associated with this place is that of King Bhagirath, the great-grandson of King Sagar, who performed rigorous self-penance here, in response to which lord Shiva sent forth the Ganga cascading from his knotted locks to wash away the sins of his ancestors.
Things To Do in Haridwar
Must attend evening aarti at Har-ki-pauri, immediately after which offerings of diyas and flowers are made. Innumerable diyas flowing along the Ganga make a delightful sight.
What to Buy in Haridwar
Rudraksha seeds and strings are a popular buy here.
Copper and Brass Puja Utensils
Stone and wood handicrafts
Ayurvedic medicines
Fast Facts Haridwar
Distance to Haridwar from New Delhi – 205 Km
Best time to visit Haridwar – All year round
How to Reach Haridwar
Nearest Airport – Jolly Grant, Dehradun (34 Km)
Nearest Railway Station – Haridwar
Route to Haridwar
Delhi – Meerut – Muzaffarnagar – Roorkee - Haridwar
Around Haridwar
Rajaji National Park (9 Km)
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