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HARIDWAR
| FACTS & FIGURES |
| Area |
12 sq. km. |
| Altitude |
2927 Mts. |
| Climate |
Summer:- Max 35.6ºC, Min 16.9ºC
Winter :- Max 28.3ºC, Min 10.6ºC |
| Clothing |
Summer:- cottons/tropical
Winter:- woolens |
| Languages spoken |
Hindi, English, Garwali |
INTRODUCTION
Haridwar is situated at the base of the Shivalik hills, where the
Ganga, comes down from the mighty Himalayas meets the plains. Haridwar,
literally is 'The gateway to the Gods'. "This place is very
beautiful", at one sight one will say so and fall in love with
the scenic beauty of the blend of height and plains. A Gateway to
the four pilgrimage of Uttarakhand, Haridwar is also known as Gangadwar,
Tapovan and Mayapuri. In its long history back to pre-historic time,
the Haridwar got it name from the rishis. According to the mythology
it is known as Kapilsthan. 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. Mythologically, drops of nectar churned out from the
primordial ocean fell at the four sites of the Kumbh mela including
Haridwar. The kumbha mela, happening once every 12 years and the
Ardha Kumbha Mela (Coming once every six years) are big draws. One
of the oldest living cities, Hairdwar 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.
PLACES TO VISIT:
Har-ki-Pauri
 The
Main ghat and is supposed to be at the precise spot where the Ganges
leaves the mountains and enters the plains. Consequently, the river's
power to wash away sins at this spot is superlative and endorsed
by a footprint Vishnu (God of Hindu) left in a stone here. The ghat
is on the west bank of a canal through which the Ganges is diverted
just to the north.
Bara Bazaar
On the north side of the canal, between Har-Ki-Pauri and the Upper
Rd, is colorful Bara Bazaar. Along with the religious paraphernalia,
or prasaad (food offered to the gods, images of the deities, religious
pamphlets etc) are scores of tiny stalls crammed along both sides
of bazaar selling an assortment of goods including shawls, brassware,
glass bangles, wooden whistels, bamboo canes and can baskets.
Mansa Devi Temple
Atop a hill overlooking Haridwar, this temple is dedicated to the
goddess Mansa. Mansa is one of the forms of Shakti Durga who makes
wishes come true. It is connected by a ropeway to the heart of town.
Gorkhnath Temple
An imposig edifice dedicated to Guru Gorkhnath on main road leading
to Har-Ki-Pauri. As might be expected in such an ancient pilgrim
centre, Haridwar has temples for all devotes, all shades of religious
persuasions under that great umbrella of faith called Hinduism.
Pawan Dham temple
This temple is famed for its fantastic glass and mirrorwork, and
its elaborately garbed idols.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehra Dun 35 km.
Rail: Haridwar is directly connected by rail with Delhi,
Varanasi, Allahabad, Kalka, Lucknow, Mumbai.
Road: Haridwar is well connected by road with all major cities
in the state.
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