Hardwar
or Haridwar ( Vishnu's gate) is an important pilgrim centre of the
Hindus and one of the seven holy places ( Sapt Puri ) that promise
'moksha' or salvation to the devout. Haridwar is situated 214 km
northeast of Delhi, in Hardwar district in Uttaranchal, on a 3 km
stretch in the foothills of the Shivaliks at the point where the
Holy Ganges River emerges from the Himalayas. It is therefore, also
known as 'Ganga Dwar' or the Gateway of Ganga.
The
city is associated with both Lord Shiva as well as Lord Vishnu.
'Har' means Shiva, 'Hari' means Vishnu. Pilgrims usually visit Haridwar
before going on their pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrines of Shiva
in Kedarnath and Vishnu in Badrinath.
In
the Hindu mythology, Haridwar is known as Kapilsthan. According
to the legends, Prince Bhagirath of Suryavanshi clan performed severe
penance and Lord Shiva, in response, sent the Ganges cascading into
the earth from his matted locks. It was at this place that Prince
Bhagirath's ancestors were burnt to ashes by the curse of the sage
Kapila. Kapilsthan, a spot in Haridwar is pointed to as Kapila's
hermitage. The ancient town is also mentioned in the books of Hieun
Tsang the famous Chinese traveller who describes Haridwar as Mayura,
on the eastern banks of the Ganges.
The
chief attraction here is the main ghat Har-ki-Pauri (steps of Shiva)
believed to be the precise spot where the Ganges leaves the mountains
and enters the plains. Lord Vishnu is believed to have left his
footprint on a rock here. Bathing here is believed to cleanse the
soul of all sins . Har-ki-Pauri was constructed by king Vikramaditya
in the memory of king Bhagirath. Every evening at break of dusk,
'aarati' of the Mother Ganga is performed by the priests at the
site, after which flowers and 'diyas' (earthen lamps) are set afloat
on the waters of Ganga. The spectacle of hundreds of miniature lamps
floating along the river is breathtakingly beautiful.
Haridwar
is also famous for the Kumbh Mela held every twelfth year and Ardh
Kumbh held every intervening sixth year when millions of Hindu devotees
take a holy dip in the Ganga. The colourful Bara Bazaar and Moti
Bazaar on the upper road, north side of the canal, lined with stalls
selling images of deities, copper and brass puja utensils, sandalwood
rudraksh and an assortment of goods, sweets, glass bangles, cane
baskets etc are worth a visit.
» How
to reach Haridwar
By Air : The nearest
airport from Haridwar is Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun, 35 kms
from here.
By Rail : Haridwar is connected
with all the major cities via train. Haridwar railway station is
halt of some major trains coming from Ujjain, Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi,
Calcutta, Allahabad, Gorakhpur and Sri Ganganagar. The trains from
and to all these cities are till Dehradun and halt at Haridwar.
By Road : Haridwar is amongst
the most easily accessible cities. It is located on National highway
number 45. There are state run buses from some major cities, or
one can also arrange his own conveyance. Distance from some major
cities is Delhi - 214, Agra - 386, Ambala - 168, Badrinath - 325,
Dehradun - 52, Kedarnath - 250, Saharanpur - 81 and Nainital - 386.
Haridwar,Religious Places in India Reservation Form
