
Haridwar
is located at the foot hills of the Shivalik range,
where the Ganga, comes down from the mighty Himalayas
and embraces the plains. The city of enchanting devotion
is located 52 kms from Dehradun, the capital city of
Uttaranchal. Haridwar, literally refers to 'The gateway
to the Gods'. "This place is the ultimate devotional
destination", 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.
Connectivity :
By Air : The nearest airport is Delhi,
220 kms away.
By Rail : There are convenient train
connections from Delhi.
By Road : It's around a 5 hours drive
from Delhi, and about a 2 hours drive from Dehra Dun.
Rishikesh is just 22 km away. A cascade of devotion!
Haridwar is essentially a Hindu pilgrim town with temples,
hermitages and Dharamsalas besides the banks of the
Ganga. There are numerous legends anchored with its
perpetuation which are as colorful as the mythology
that infuses the Hindu religion. Haridwar is said to
have been sanctified by the three deities of the Hindu
Pantheon-Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva). Har-ki-Pauri,
the most popular bathing ghat (bank of the river) of
Haridwar, has a footprint on stone which is said to
be that of Lord Vishnu.
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 place 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 the vivid Bara Bazaar. Along with
the religious paraphernalia, or prasaad (food offered
to the gods, images of the deities, religious pamphlets
etc) are scores of small 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: On the top of the 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.
Chandi Ghat Temple : Constructed on
Nhil Hill by a Kashmir raja, Suchet Singh, in 1929,
and there are a number of temple at the hill. You may
see large river turtles on the banks of the Nildhara
River.
Gorkhnath Temple : An imposing 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 devotees,
all shades of religious persuasions under that great
umbrella of faith called Hinduism.
Saptrishi Ashram : About 5km from
Haridwar, named after the seven rishis (sages) who prayed
here for the good of humanity. It has mythological origin
and it is said that Saptrishis (Seven sages) who had
trapped the Ganga agreed to release the River on King
Bhagirath's request, provided it split into seven streams.
Bharat Mata Temple : It is a 'modern'
temple dedicated to 'Mother India'. An imposing seven-storyes
high structure, it has statues of gods and goddesses
and other Indian saints, sages and heroes of Indian
myth and legend.
Pawan Dham temple : This temple is
famed for its fantastic glass and mirrorwork, and its
elaborately garbed idols.