About the place
Located
in the foothills of the Himalayas, Haridwar bears huge religious
significance to the Hindus. The town has been an ageless source of Ayurvedic
medicines and herbal remedies. It serves as the gateway for those embarking
on the Char Dham Yatra or the 'Four Pilgrimages' in the Uttarakhand region.
A pilgrimage to Haridwar is held in high esteem by the Hindu community all
across the globe. It is believed that taking a bath here washes away all
impurities of one's soul, thereby taking one towards ultimate freedom or
'Nirvana'. The town has been blessed by the trinity of Shiva, Vishnu and
Brahma. Today, Haridwar has emerged as a major learning centre for arts,
science and culture. The town marks the point where the Ganges meets the
plains. The Chinese traveller describes the place as Mayura, located on the
eastern bank of the river Ganges. Haridwar is also the site where the
celebrated 'Kumbh Mela' is organised every twelve years.
Distances from Major Cities & Towns
Delhi - 225 km, Rishikesh - 24 km, Dehradun - 55 km, Joshimath - 274 km,
Guptakashi - 194 km, Gangotri - 282 km, Kedarnath - 250 km, Meerut - 141 km,
Saharanpur - 81 km, Mussoorie - 90 km, Yamunotri - 255 km, Agra - 386 km,
Ambala - 168 km, Badrinath - 320 km
Nearby Attractions
» Mansa Devi Temple - The Mansa Devi Temple is
perched on the Bilwara Parvat. It can be reached either by the rope-way or
by the normal trekking route reaching the top. Wonderful views of Haridwar
can be had from this point.
»
Har Ki Pauri - Har Ki Pauri is considered to be the most sacred Ghats in
the country. It is said that the Ghat was built by Vikramaditya in memory of
his brother Bhartrihari. Also known as Brahmakund, the Ghat sees a large
number of devotees as Maha Arti is observed in the evenings.
» Chandi Devi Temple - Located on top of a hill
called the Neel Paravat, the Chandi Devi Temple is another attraction of the
town. The king of Kashmir Suchat Singh got the temple built in 1929 AD. From
the place Chandi Ghat the temple is but a 3-km trek.
» Sapt Rishi - The Sapt Rishi marks the point where
the holy Ganges divides herself into seven small streams. The scenic
surroundings of the place leave no one untouched.
» Maya Devi Temple - The Maya Devi Temple is
counted among the Shaktipeethas (Shrines of special significance) of the
country. It is said that as Shiva was carrying his consort Sati, who had
burnt herself to keep honour of her husband, her heart and navel had fallen
at this place, hence a Shaktipeetha.
Accessibility
The Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun is the closest airport from Haridwar.
The town is well linked by rail-route to almost all the major cities of the
country. The National Highway no. 45 passes through Haridwar, providing it
an excellent link to the major cities of the country.
Ideal Time
Summers are hot with temperature reaching up to 40 degrees. During the
winters, the temperature drops down to a minimum of 6 degrees centigrade.
However, the ideal time to pay a visit to this sacred town is between the
months of September and June.
