Haridwar - Gateway to God
Located in Uttarakhand, Haridwar is one of the seven holiest towns in India. It is situated where the holy Ganga River first meets the plains of the Indo-Gangetic region. Replete with shrines, retreats, and winding streets all throughout the city, Haridwar is a well-known Hindu pilgrimage destination where millions of followers gather to bathe in the sacred Ganges. It is said that bathing in the holy Har Ki Pauri absolves one of all sins.
The renowned Ganga Aarti, which takes place every evening at the Har ki Pauri Ghat, is the main attraction in Haridwar. Floating diyas and offering prayers to the Ganga river bring thousands of people together. Every twelve years, Haridwar, together with Ujjain, Nasik, and Allahabad, are the four cities that play host to the Kumbh Mela. Here, too, the annual Kanwar Mela is held during the saawan (rainy season). In addition, it serves as the entry point to Uttarakhand's Char Dham and the starting point for several other popular tourist destinations, including Rishikesh and Devprayag.
Hindu customs state that Haridwar is home to the Panch Tirth, or five pilgrimages. These are Mansa Devi Temple (Bilwa Tirth), Chandi Devi Temple (Neel Parvat), Ghat (Kushwart), Har ki Pauri (Gangadwar), and Kankhal. Globally, Haridwar is renowned for its Ayurvedic, meditation, and yoga practises. It is a religious centre, hence non-vegetarian food and drink are not allowed. The city has excellent bus and train connections, although from May to October—the yatra season—it gets extremely busy.
More on Haridwar Travel
Bathing in River Ganga in Haridwar
For every Hindu, taking a dip in the Ganga River is a must-do experience. One of India's holiest cities is thought to be Haridwar. Because it is the main location where the Ganga River emerges, the city is well recognised. The city is renowned for reinforcing the roving faith in God of all its devotees. In addition to offering a sense of cleanliness, taking a bath in the Ganga river serves as a springboard for many. Many people think that you may wash away all of your sins with only one dip in the holy river.
Family Genealogy Registration in Haridwar, India
Due to its spiritual status, death rites are performed in the city of Haridwar. It is believed that burying a deceased person's ashes in the Ganga river will allow them to enter paradise. As a result, a lot of people travel to Haridwar to perform funeral rites for departed family members. As a result, the Pandits who perform these rites began documenting marriages, the family's gotra, and other important details. Due to this, detailed family genealogy was documented for centuries and is currently a source that allows people to follow the history of their own family.
Hardwar - The Land of Lord Vishnu
A ghat called Har ki Pauri is situated alongside the Ganga River. Pauri signifies footsteps, while Har is the name of Lord Shiva. It was stated that Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu had visited this location during the Vedic era. There, etched on a stone wall are the footsteps of Lord Vishnu. As such, this location is highly sacred and is frequented by pilgrims from all around the nation.
History of Haridwar
The renowned Ganga river is found at Haridwar, a city in the state of Uttarakhand that is referred to as the "doorway for the gods." Ancient legends state that the city was created when a drop of Amrit, an immortality potion created by the gods and devils together, landed on Earth. Among the four locations where the Amrit was divided was Haridwar. This city has a rich and fascinating mythological past. It is regarded as one of India's holiest locations. The city was initially recorded in the Mauryan empire's scriptures between 322 and 385 B.C., and then again in Hiuan Tsang's travels in 629 A.D. Because it was believed that the water from the Ganga would bring immortality, Emperor Akbar carried jars filled with the river's water and drank from them when travelling. Raja Maan Singh established the current Haridwar's foundation. He constructed two dams on the Ganga, which had a negative impact on the river's flow.
Kumbh Mela in Hairdwar
Kumbh Ka Mela is held in Haridwar once every twelve years. This is a large-scale assembly of Hindu devotees in Haridwar. There are millions of individuals involved. In addition to being the world's largest crowd of religious pilgrims, the gathering is regarded as one of the most tranquil. People pray to the gods and goddesses, light lamps and diyas, and take a plunge. It is among India's most revered assemblies. Hindus see this mela as one of their sacred rites. The mela offers a tonne of rides, games, shopping, and dining options.
How to Reach Haridwar
Road and rail systems from all over India connect Haridwar to other parts of the country. The closest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is roughly 40 kilometres distant. Haridwar is 200 miles away from Delhi, which has another nearby airport.
Best Time To Visit Haridwar
Haridwar Tour Packages
Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, Haridwar
Daksha Mahadev, located in Kankhal, Haridwar, is one of the oldest temples and a popular pilgrimage destination for Shaivites. The temple’s primary deities are Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati. The temple is named for King Daksha Prajapati, the father of Goddess Sati. It is also known as Daksheswara Mahadev Temple and includes the Yajna Kund and the Daksha ghat on the left side of the main temple, where pilgrims can take a plunge in the holy Ganga. The temple is especially famous for its elaborate Shivratri celebrations.
Read MoreBharat Mata Mandir Haridwar
The name of the Bharat Mata Mandir in Haridwar comes from its dedication to India as a nation. “The Moth India Temple” is how its name is translated. The multi-story temple in Sapt Sarovar represents the numerous freedom fighters and patriots of the Indian Struggle for Independence rather than being a place of worship for gods or having any religious overtones. The magnificent temple Bharat Mata Mandir also honors India’s enormous culture and distinctiveness. Some other things that the Bharat Mata Mandir highlights for us are the nation’s unity and diversity.
Read More
Chandi Devi Temple Haridwar
Located atop the Neel Parvat of the Shivalik Hills, the Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar is a quaint temple devoted to the Chanda Devi Goddess. One of Haridwar’s five pilgrimages, the Chandi Devi Mandir, also called Neel Parvat Teerth, is also called Siddha Peetha, a location where worshippers go to fulfill their desires. Additionally, trekking visitors favor the Chandi Devi temple because to its location. A ropeway, which offers an amazing perspective, is another way to go to the temple’s peak.
Read MoreMansa Devi Temple, Haridwar
The goddess Mansa Devi, who is regarded as a manifestation of Shakti and is said to have arisen from Lord Shiva’s intellect, is the object of devotion at the well-known Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The temple is one of the five pilgrimages in Haridwar, called the “Panch Tirths,” and receives thousands of Hindu visitors each year. The temple, which is situated atop the Bilwa Parvat on the Sivalik Hills, is also referred to as Bilwa Tirth.
Read More
Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar
Considered one of the holiest ghats in Haridwar and India, Har Ki Pauri is a hallowed location that attracts a lot of devotees and tourists who come to pray for the blessings of Holy Ganga. Located in Haridwar, one of the seven holiest cities in the nation, is Har Ki Pauri, which means “Steps to Lord Shiva” in exact translation. In Indian mythology, it is one of the four locations where the celestial bird Garuda unintentionally spilt the droplets of elixir (‘Amrit’), and a plunge in the Ganges is thought to cleanse one’s sins. The river is filled with a golden hue of countless diyas offered by devotees floating along the river
Read More