Haridwar takes you beyond the superficial sophistry of politically correct modern day Hinduism and introduces you to a faith as simple as the curves of a lily in full bloom, as old as the heaven amidst the northern snows. This magnanimity makes Haridwar the ”Gateway to the Gods”. Located at the base of the Shivalik hills of Uttar Pradesh, an feeling of divinity surrounds this sacred town. It is here that the Ganga is believed to wash away the sins of millions just by taking a dip in its holy waters. Folklore traces the origins of place to the great penance performed by King Shweta. Daksha Prajapati, Lord Shiva’s father-in-law, also performed a yagna here. Again, it is here that the Devas (Gods) brought the pitcher of nectar to spoil the designs of the Rakshasas (Deamons). Besides its religious reverrence, Haridwar is a major adventure sports circuit and offers facilities for river rafting, tracking and mountaineering. It is also popular for its herbal remedies and Ayurveda (the ancient Indian science of medicine).
Haridwar Facts:

• Area: 15.07 sq. Km
• Population 1,49,011 (1991)
• Altitude 292.7 m above sea level
• Languages spoken Hindi, Punjabi, Garhwali, and English
• Best time to visit October to March
• STD code 0133


Tourist Attractions in Haridwar

Haridwar attracts a lot of tourists through out the year. Har-ki-Pauri is the centre of action in Haridwar: piousness and brisk business go hand in hand here. There are numerous Hindu ritual and ceremonies performed on the banks of Ganga here. Some popular ones include thread ceremonies, holy dips, tonsuring ceremonies and ash immersion ceremonies. But the real beauty is of the evening aarti when the ghats of Har-ki-Pauri command rapt attention from the onlookers. The other attractions here include the Chandi Devi Temple on top of the Neel Parvat and the eight-storeyed Bharat Mata Temple towering over the small town. Then there is Shanti Kunj, with its Gayatri Temple housing 24 images of Gayatri, close to the Saptarishi Ashram. The bazaars of Haridwar display kumkum (vermilion), rudraksh, Gangajal (vessels containing Ganges water), Ayurvedic medicines and precious stones. The famous bazaars include Moti Bazaar, Upper Road, and Jwalapur.

Tourist Attractions around Haridwar

After you are through with major places of interest in Haridwar, indulge in some of the exotic locations around it. For the spiritually inclined, many nearby ashrams like the Sapta Rishi Ashram and Kanva Rishi Ashram offer a peaceful hideaway. Rishikesh, renowned since the time of the Ramayana, Triveni Ghat, the holy place of the major religious ceremonies; Neel Kantha, the legendary place associated with Lord Shiva; and the Chila Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the other exiciting places to visit around Haridwar.




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