Overview
Haridwar is an ancient city and important Hindu pilgrimage site in North India’s Uttarakhand state, where the River Ganges exits the Himalayan foothills. The largest of several sacred ghats (bathing steps), Har Ki Pauri hosts a nightly Ganga Aarti (river-worshipping ceremony) in which tiny flickering lamps are floated off the steps. Worshipers fill the city during major festivals including the annual Kanwar Mela.
Haridwar’s long standing position as a great source for Ayurvedic medicines and herbal remedies as well as its unique Gurukul school of traditional education, the scenic beauty and lush greenery.all give the city unique flavors and charm; a must among the sojourn centers in a discoverer’s intinary of Uttarakhand.
Hindu worshippers come to Haridwar before visiting the four pilgrimage sites. Shaivites think of Haridwar as the gateway to Lord Shiva (who is worshipped at the Kedarnath temple) and Vaishnavites think of it as the gateway to Lord Vishnu (who is worshipped at Badrinath).
Haridwar is a beautiful city on the banks of river Ganga. The pollution free air makes you feel relaxed and calm. Being described as a holy place, a large of number of devotees come here to to take a dip in the river Ganga as it is known to cleanse the sin of the people who take dip in it.
The five pilgrimages located within the periphery of Haridwar, are Gangadwara (Har Ki Pauri), Kushwart (Ghat), Kankhal, Bilwa Tirtha (Mansa Devi Temple) and Neel Parvat (Chandi Devi).
» Mansa Devi Temple – Pay Reverence To Goddess Shakti’s Avtaar.
» Chandi Devi Temple – Visit During Navratri Or Kumbh Mela.
» Har Ki Pauri Ganga Temple – The Breathtaking ‘Steps Of Shiva’
» Daksh Mahadev Temple – A Prominent Lord Shiva’s Temple.
A famous temple in Kankhal, Haridwar Daksha Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is swarmed by devotees in the auspicious month of Sawan in August. The temple is named after King Daksha Prajapati, the father of Sati who was the first wife of Lord Shiva.
