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About Haridwar
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 Haridwar is
the gateway to the four pilgrimages of
Uttarakhand. It's also your starting point on
the journey to the sacred sources of the Ganga
and the Yamuna Rivers. This holy city is home to
some of the Most sacred Hindu rituals. Round the
year, devotees from all over the country flock
here in their thousands to perform "Poojas" or
prayers. Renowned for the "Maha Kumbh Mela"
which appears Every 12 years and the enchanting
"Aarti" at "Har Ki Pauri" which captives the
beholder with hundreds of burning wick lamps
floating down the Ganga, this town has been
distinguished for centuries in the Indian
society.
Haridwar or 'the Gateway to the Gods' is one of
the seven holiest places according to Hindu
mythology, as the Gods are believed to have left
their footprints in Haridwar. Due to its
geographical location too, Haridwar stands as
the gateway to the other three important
pilgrimages of Uttrakhand namely, Rishikesh,
Badrinath and Kedarnath. Referred to as
Mayapuri, Gangadwar, and Mokshadwar in the
ancient scriptures and epics, Haridwar has
always remained a major pilgrimage for the
Hindus.
According to the mythology it is known as
Kapilastaan. legend goes that the suryavnshi
Prince Bhagirath performed penance here to
salvage the souls of his ancestors who had
perished due to the curse of the sage Kapila.
The penance was answered and the river Ganga
trickled forth from Lord Shiva's locks and its
bountiful waters revived the sixty thousand sons
of King Sagara. Mythological, drops of nectar
churned out from the primordial ocean fell at
the four sites of the Kumbh mela including
Haridwar. The Kumbh mela, happening once every
12 years and the ArdhKumbha Mela (Coming once
every six years) are big draws. One of the
oldest living cities, Haridwar has been in
people's mind from the period of Buddha to the
British advent and now even is the 21st century.
Besides being a religious place, it has served
as the center for learning arts, science and
culture.
Fact
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Area : |
12.302 sq. km.
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Population : |
3,48,142 (1991 census)
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Altitude :
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294.70 meters above sea level.
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Season : |
Round the year.
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Clothing :
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Summer : |
Cottons;
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Winter : |
Woolens ;
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Language :
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Hindi & English
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Local Transport :
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Taxis, Tongas, Tempos, Buses, Cycle-Rikshaws,
Auto-Rickshaws
STD Code : 0133
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Places to visit
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.
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,
monkeys, woodpecker, king cobra etc. During
the monsoons the park remains closed and
otherwise it is open after sunrise and
closed after dusk.
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