Rang7 Guides
Rang7 members have created & contributed 308 Destinations, 77 Festivals, 47 Monuments, 39 National Parks and 58 Other Guides. Go ahead and Explore now!
Haridwar
[ Edit ] Overview
The Ganges’ descent into the plains from the Himalayas begins in Haridwar (also spelled Hardwar). The name means ‘Dwar of Hari’ or ‘Gateway to God’. As such, the town has a unique status as one of the seven holiest places to visit for devout Hindu making a pilgrimage. The city is also the gateway for people making the Char Dham pilgrimage (i.e. the Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri).
[ Edit ] History
According to Hindu mythology drops of Amrit (nectar of life) churned out of the sea by the gods was collected into an urn. While being transported, some of it’s content were spilt in four cities - Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik & Ujjain. This mythology is the reason many Indians visit Haridwar.
Quick Facts
[ Edit ] State
[ Edit ] Location
Haridwar is located 200 km from Delhi at an altitude of 815 feet.
[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit
Given it’s religious importance, Haridwar is a year round destination. However, summers will be hot and are best avoided.
[ Edit ] Tourist Offices
Tourist Bureau, Laltarao Bridge, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, Tel: 0133-4224240
[ Edit ] STD Code
0133
Sightseeing
[ Edit ] Bharat Mata Mandir
The Bharat Mata Temple is relatively new, eight-storeyed building dedicated to ‘Mother India’ has images of important historical figures and Hindu deities - half temple and half nation building exercise. This temple is located 5 km north of the city center.
[ Edit ] Bhimgoda Tank
The mythology associated with this water tank relates to one of the Pandava brothers – Prince Bhima – while passing through Haridwar en route to the Himalayas. It is said that he, Bhima, drew water from the rocks here by thrusting his knee, or goda, into the ground with such force that he left behind the tank.
[ Edit ] Chandi Devi Temple
Chandi Devi Temple was built by the King of Kashmir, Suchat Singh, in 1929. Legend has it that two demon kings Shumbha and Nishumbha fought against Lord Indra and captured his kingdom. Taking pity on the Lord Indra’s plight, Goddess Parvati took the form of Chandi Devi to slaughter the demon and return the kingdom to him – after which the place got it’s name ‘Chandi Devi’. Chandra Devi is believed to have rested on top of this hill – thus the temple dedicated to her. The main idol was built by Adi Shankaracharya in 8th century A.D. The temple is located on top of a hill, Neel Parvat, on the eastern bank of the Ganges and is 6km from Haridwar. It can be reached by trekking 3km from Chandi Ghat or via a cable car.
[ Edit ] Daksh Mahadev Temple
The Daksh Mahadev temple is situated at a distance of 6 km from Haridwar. Mythology has it that the King Daksh Prajapati, father of Sati (Lord Shiva's first wife) performed yagya at this place, but didn’t invite Lord Shiva (Mahadev). When he arrived uninvited, Lord Shiva was further insulted by the king. The infuriated Sati burnt herself in the yagna kund. Lord Shiva followers, in anger, killed King Daksha. However, Lord Shiva bought him back to life and King Daksha was given a goat’s head. The Daksha Mahadev temple, built by Queen Dhankaur in 1810, pays tribute to this legend.
[ Edit ] Har-Ki-Pauri
The main ghat in Haridwar is the Har-Ki-Pauri - the main destination for all visitors. Legend has it that this is where one of the four holy sites where drop of nectar / amrit fell from the churning of the oceans when the world was created. In addition, it is believed that Vishnu’s footprint can be seen on a stone wall. The evening prayer (Aarti) ceremony, starting at around 7 pm, shouldn’t be missed. Thousands of worshippers gather to pray and place diyas (floating lamps) in the river. This sacred Ghat was constructed in the 1st century BC by King Vikramaditya. The story goes that King Vikramaditya’s brother, Bhrithari, came to Haridwar to meditateon the banks of the Ganges. Upon his death, the King built a ghat in memory of his brother and over time, the ghat came to be known as Hari-Ki-Pauri. However, the majority of the present days ghats were largely developed in and after the 1800s. more
[ Edit ] Mansa Devi Mandir
The Mansa Devi temple is situation on a hill near the center of town and is worth a visit for the panoramic view. The temple can be reached by cable car or by a road that gently winds uphill (about 2 km), starting from Railway Rd. more
[ Edit ] Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar
Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar (or “Neel Dhara”) is a bird sanctuary situated on the main Ganga river, or, at the Bhimgoda barrage about 3.5km from town. It is home to migratory birds during the winter season.
[ Edit ] Piran Kaliyar
Piran Kaliyar, located in the village of Kaliyar, is the dargah (“burial site) of Alauddin Sabir Kaliyari, a Sufi Saint. The dargah was built by the then ruler of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodhi, in the 13th century. After Amjer Sharif (in Ajmer, Rajasthan), the Piran Kaliyar is arguably the most revered shrine for Muslims. People of all faiths come to the dargah to seek the blessings of the saint. The only time things get really busy is during the annual ‘Urs’ festival ("marriage") celebrating the saint's death anniversary, and hence his marriage with God. Piran Kaliyar is located 20 km from Haridwar and 7 km from Roorkee.
[ Edit ] Rajaji National Park
Wild Elephants and rich biodiversity, with the majestic Ganges flowing through it, are the primary attractions of Rajaji National Park. The Park is spread across 820 sq. km. in the Shivalik Hills of the Outer Himalayas and has two rivers flowing through it - Rivers Ganga and Song. In addition to these rivers there are numerous streams and brooks which flow during the monsoons but dry up for most parts of the year. The park is home to 24 species of mammals including elephants, tigers, and panthers and 316 species of birds. Rajaji National Park is located 12 kms from Haridwar. more
[ Edit ] Sapt Rishi Ashram & Sapt Sarovar
Sapt Rishi Ashram & Sapt Sarovar is a picturesque place 7km from Haridwar. According to legend the Saptarishis or the “Seven great Sages” were deep in meditation here. The Ganga, not wanting to disturb them split herself into seven streams and flowed around them – thus creating ‘Sapt Sarovar’. The Seven Sages are: Atri, Bharadwaja, Gautam, Jamadagni, Kashyapa, Vashisht, and Vishwamitra.
[ Edit ] Sati Kund
Sati Kund is a pond located 4 km from the city center. The mythology associated with this pond is that Sati immolated herself here.
Planning a Trip
Getting There
[ Edit ] Air
Dehradun's (20 km away) is the the closest airport to Haridwar.
[ Edit ] Rail
Haridwar Junction is easily accessible by train with Delhi offering the most options as a starting point. The station is situated on the south side of Haridwar and is within easy walking distance to the main hotels area.
[ Edit ] Road
Haridwar is about 200 kms from Delhi.The Bus Station in Haridwar is very close to the railway station. There are regular bus services between Delhi and Rishikesh. Journey times from Delhi can be as long as 6-7 hours depending on traffic. On a good day, it would take only 5 hours. Rishikesh is further 1 hour away.
Driving distances to Haridwar from:
- Dehradun: 65 kms
- Delhi: 200 kms
- Lucknow: 220 kms
- Rajaji National Park: 12 kms
[ Edit ] Getting Around
Many low cost options exist to get around including Tongas, Tempos, Buses, Cycle-Rikshaws, Auto-Rickshaws and Taxis.
[ Edit ] Other Information
Given it’s prime location next to the River Ganga, Haridwar is the site of many religious festivals. Most notable among them is the Kumbh Mela, a festival that rotates between Haridwar, and Allahabad, Ujjain and Nashik every twelve years. The Ardh Mela, or "half mela", is held every six years. Both will be held in Haridwar for the next time in 2010. Other festivals include Baisakhi (in April), Kanwar Mela (in July), Somwati Amavasya (in July) and Kartik Purnima (in November 15 days after Diwali on the first night of the full moon).
[ Edit ] Shopping
[ Edit ] Food
[ARCHIVES ]
