Location:
Uttarakhand Region (Uttranchal)
Main Attractions: Har Ki Pauri,
Chandi Devi Temple
Best Season: September to June
Nearby Attractions: Rishikesh,
Deoprayag |
Tourism in
Haridwar
Haridwar-- gateway to the four
pilgrimages in the Uttrakhand region, is
located on the foot hills of Shivaliks. It
is on the banks of River Ganga. The Ganga
leaves the mountains and enters the plains
with Haridwar being the first major town on
the plains.
Though the Ganges does not lose its rapids
completely nevertheless it becomes very
quite and calm here. The water is clean and
people prefer taking bath on the numerous
ghats built on the river shores. It is said
that taking bath here purifies the soul and
opens the way for the ultimate freedom,
Nirvana.
Haridwar has earned fame as being the place
which has been blessed by the trinity of
Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is also
one of the major Shaktipeeths.
Down the ages, Haridwar has purified the
mind, the body and the soul. Not only in
spiritual or religious terms Haridwar has
come up as a major learning center for arts,
science and culture. This place has
maintained the Gurukul tradition of
teaching. This ancient tradition of teaching
has maintained its fervour in Haridwar.
Haridwar has since ages been a source of
Ayurvedic medicines and has been providing
herbal remedies. Haridwar one of the first
towns to be developed on Ganges is still
lush and green with forest and trees. With
Rajaji Park in the vicinity Haridwar has
also been the destination for the wildlife
and nature lovers. The city acquires a
unique charm in the evening when the ghats
become breath takingly beautiful with
thousands of Diyas and Marigold floating in
the waters of Ganges.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Religious Places
Har Ki Pauri
This ghat is one of the most sacred ghats in
India. People say that this ghat was built
by Vikramaditya in memory of his brother
Bhartrihari. This ghat is also known as
Brahmakund. In the evening a Maha Aarti is
performed on this ghat. It is an event which
is a must, not be missed by any visitor.
Chandi Devi
This temple is on the top of a hill called
the Neel Parvat which is on the other side
of the river Ganga. The temple was
constructed by the King of Kashmir, Suchat
Singh, in 1929 AD. Chandi Devi is a three km
trek from the Chandi Ghat.
Mansa Devi
This temple is located on top of a hill
called the Bilwa Parvat. The temple can be
reached by the rope way or one can take the
normal trekking route to the top. The top of
the hill gives you an excellent view of
Haridwar.
Kavand Mela
The fair is held ten days before Shivteras,
during the Hindu months of Shravan & Phalgun.
Daksha Mahadev Temple
Four kms from Haridwar is a town called
Kankhal. Mythology says that the king of
this place King Daksha Prajapati performed a
yagya. His daughter, Sati was married to
Lord Shiva. But Daksha was not happy with
this marriage and did not invite Shiva-Sati
in the Yagya.
But Sati came and was insulted by her
father. She could not take the insult and
burnt herself in the yagya kund. On hearing
this the followers of Shiva killed Daksha.
But later Mahadeo (Shiva) brought Daksha to
life. The Daksha temple is an attribute to
this legend. This place is one of the five
sacred places in Haridwar.
Sapt Rishi
At one place Ganga divides herself into
seven small streams. This place is known as
the Sapt Rishi and provides a very pleasing
sight.
Maya Devi
It is one of the Shaktipeeths in India. This
ancient temple of Maya Devi is also the
Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar. It is said
that when Lord Shiva was carrying his wife
Sati, who had burnt her self to keep the
honour of her husband, then the heart and
navel of Sati had fallen at this place.
Others
Gurukul Kangri University
This university is known for its unique
system of education. it is located on the
Haridwar-Jwalapur bypass road. This old
institution follows the ancient tradition of
Guru-Sishya pattern of education. The
institution also has the Ved Mandir Museum
which is has a very good collection of
archaeological exhibits and displays
artifacts which are of historical value.
Beauty Point
On the Mansa Devi temple road, about two
kilometer from Haridwar is a point which
provides an excellent view of Haridwar and
the near by greenery. This place is called
the beauty point as the sight from here of
the surrounding is very exciting and
enthralling.
Neel Dhara Pakshi ViharThis place is an
enchanting bird watching point particularly
during the winters. There are various
species of birds which can be spotted here.
Around Laljiwala on the banks of river
Ganges one can expect the Siberian Cranes,
which are one of the prized visitor to this
Pakshi Vihar.
EXCURSIONS
Rishikesh :
24 kms from Haridwar is Rishikesh. This
place is known as the Tapo Bhumi or the
place for meditation of the Gods. Rishikesh
is one of the popular pilgrimage for the
Hindus. At this place the Ganges leaves the
mountains and prepares herself to begin a
long journey through the plains.
Dehradun:
This hill station is located in the Shivalik
hills. Just 54 kms from Haridwar. The thick
woods and scenic beauty of the place is
enough to capture the imagination of any
tourist.
Mussoorie:
The queen of hill stations is just 89 kms
from Haridwar. The salubrious climate and
deep woods makes it an ideal hill station.
Piran Kalier :
On the outskirts of Roorkee is the Dargah of
Hazrat Makhdum Allauddin Ali Ahmed 'Sabir'.
It is a must for any visitor to visit this
place. The place is known as Piran Kalier
and is located 23 kms South of Haridwar.
This Dargah is famed for its mystical powers
and is visited in large numbers both by
Hindus and Muslims. In fact this place is an
living example of Hindu-Muslim unity. During
the Rabeeull month of Islamic calender, an
Urs is celebrated from the first day of
sighting the moon to the sixteenth day.
Chila :
At Chila is located the Rajaji National Park
a popular destination for nature and
adventure lovers. The pristine scenic beauty
and rich biodiversity of the park has been
attracting wildlife lovers from India and
abroad The park has 23 species of mammals
and about 315 avifauna species.
Deoprayag:
This is again one of the sacred places for
the Hindus. At this place the aggressive
Alaknanda merges with the gentle flowing
Bhagirathi. The place is 95 kms from
Haridwar.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:In the region Air Services are available
only upto Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun.
Rail: The Railways have a station at
Haridwar. This major pilgrimage center has
been well connected by trains to all the
major towns of India. In fact trains bring
the major load of pilgrims and tourist
inflow to Haridwar.
Road: The National Highway No - 45 crosses
through the city so it is connected to other
cities of the State as well as other towns
in India in an efficient manner. There are
buses available from Delhi to this place.
The state transport has ordinary as well as
deluxe and semi-deluxe buses on this route
for long distance travel. There are private
buses avaialable too, which willtake you to
nearby places and some of these private
deluxe buses run on the long distance
routes.
PLACES TO STAY
Being a major pilgrimage center, do not
expect to get luxury over here. The
accommodations are simple, yet elegant and
on a resonable price. One can easily get
accommodation in hotels as well as in
Dharamshalas and in number of Ashrams
situated within this religious town. The
govt accommodation include GMVN tourist
hotels and Shankar Niwas.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Ardh Kumbh:
Though all the Hindu festivals are
celebrated here with pomp and gaiety, it is
the Ardh Kumbh which attracts the mind of
any tourist to this place. The Ardh Kumbh is
held every six years and the last Ardh
Kumbha of this century ended this year. It
is said that a holy dip in the river Ganges
during the Kumbh gives you Moksha or
Nirvana.
People gather in huge number to take the
holy dip during these holy days. There are
Saints, Naga Sadhus, Politicians almost
every one is here. The city is overflowing
with people. If going to Haridwar during the
Ardh Kumbh then avoid the over crowded ghats.
Every there are reports of stampedes and the
various factions or Akharas of Sadhus clash
with each other. Ensure your accommodation
well in advance if going during the Kumbh.
SHOPPING
Haridwar is a pilgrimage center and visitors
come here to visit the temples so as such
there is no particular item which can be
recommended to be bought here. But Haridwar
offers you some good handicraft items which
can be kept as decorative pieces or can be
used as gift items. In the markets
surrounding the temples, one can find
jewellery imitations which are very popular
among the devotees. The bangles, chains, ear
and nose rings are some items which can be
bough there.
Then the shops also have items made of
stone. From Rishikesh, Ganga enters the
plains and in all this area it sheds its
load of stones which are not only polished
naturally but come out in amazing shapes and
sizes. These stone are used to make small
idols which are very neatly, delicately and
intricately carved.
Look out for Kitchen set toys made from
stone. You can also get some items of talk
stone. The main shopping centers are Moti
Bazaar, Upper Road, Jwalapur, Kankhal. The
UP handloom Emporium is near the Bharat Mata
temple and the government Emporium, Gandhi
Ashram is near the Haridwar post office.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES
Regional Tourist Office - Haridwar, Uttar
Pradesh, India.
Tourist Bureau - Laltarao Bridge, Haridwar,
uttranchal, India
Tourist Information Center - Railway
Station, Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh, India
Tourist Reception Centre - 36, Chandralok
Building, Janpath, New Delhi - 110 001
CLIMATE
Haridwar is located at a height of almost
300 meters . One Should never expect any
sort of pleasant high altitude climate here.
During the summers the temperature usually
hangs around 40 degrees but winters sees the
mercury dipping as low as six degrees. So
neither of the seasons are suitable or ideal
for tourists to venture in Haridwar. The
monsoons further add to the miseries of the
visitors. The best seasons to visit Haridwar
is some where between September and June.
NEARBY CITIES
Delhi - 214 kms.
Rishikesh - 24 kms.
Meerut - 129 kms.
Mussoorie - 90 kms.
Badrinath - 290 kms.
Yamunotri - 240 kms.
Dehradun - 52 kms.
Kedarnath - 250 kms.
GENERAL INFORMATION
POPULATION: About three and half lakh People
reside in this city.
MAIN LANGUAGES: Hindi, Punjabi, Garhwali and
English.
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India
Travel Guide / States / Uttarakhand / Cities / Haridwar Travel
