| Haridwar is in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and is a | | | | bathe and offer their offerings to the god. They are: |
| famous pilgrimage destination for the Hindus from all | | | | Gangadwara, Kankhal, Nila Parvata, Bilwa Theertha, |
| over the world. Situated between the Shivalik Hills in | | | | and Kussavata. The beautiful sight of thousands of |
| the north and the north east and the Ganga River in | | | | diyas with marigold flowers floating in the waters of |
| the south, Haridwar inspires those inspired by | | | | the sacred river is very enriching, and it turns out to be |
| spiritualism and nature. Haridwar blessed by all the | | | | the experience of a lifetime. |
| gods of the trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh was | | | | Apart from the its many bathing ghats, Haridwar is |
| earlier known as Kapilsthan and Mayapuri. | | | | also much famous for its numerous temples--much like |
| Considered to be one of the seven holiest places on | | | | Varanasi. Gangadwara Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, |
| earth for the Hindus, Haridwar is also one of the four | | | | Mansa Devi Temple, Maya Devi Temple, Daksha |
| places where the 'elixir of immortality' fell from the | | | | Mahadeva Temple, Vaishno Devi Temple, and Bharat |
| heaven when a tussle for the elusive pot of nectar of | | | | Mata Temple are just some of the many well-known |
| immortality had taken place between the gods and the | | | | temples of Haridwar that are worth visiting. |
| demons. The Brahma Kund at Har-Ki-Pauri is the place | | | | Haridwar is a pilgrimage centre not only for the Hindus |
| at Haridwar where the elixir of immortality is believed | | | | but for the Muslims also. Piran Kaliyar, also known as |
| to have fallen. | | | | Kaliyar Sharif--the much revered dargah of Hazrat |
| The other three places are Nasik, Ujjain and Allahabad. | | | | Makhdum Allauddin Ali Sabir--is a pilgrimage destination |
| Like these places, at Haridwar also Ardh Kumbh and | | | | for the Muslims and the Hindus alike. It is located just |
| Maha Kumbh Mela are held after every six and 12 | | | | 23 km away from Haridwar. |
| years respectively which attract thousands of pilgrims | | | | For the wildlife and nature lovers, there's the Rajaji |
| and visitors from all over the world. | | | | National Park in Haridwar which is home to many |
| Mythology has it that King Bhagirath brought Ganga to | | | | varieties of flora and fauna. Spread over an area of |
| Haridwar to salvage the souls of his ancestors who | | | | 820 sq km, the Rajaji National Park is home to 23 |
| had been cursed by the sage Kapil. Haridwar is a very | | | | species of mammals and 315 species of birds. |
| ancient town; it finds mention by the famous Chinese | | | | And oh, did I mention that Haridwar is also much |
| traveller Hiuen Tsang who has mentioned Haridwar as | | | | renowned all over India for its Ayurvedic medicines? In |
| Maurya. | | | | fact, the place is the best resource for these |
| Haridwar is also the place where the River Ganga, for | | | | medicines. No wonder, the practitioners of this ancient |
| the first time, enters the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Maybe, | | | | form of alternative treatment make it a point to visit |
| that's why the place is also known as Gangadwara. | | | | the place at least once in their life. |
| The waters of the sacred river look sparklingly clean | | | | Haridwar is 214 km away from Delhi and just 28 km |
| and fresh at Haridwar. Haridwar is also the entry point | | | | away from Rishikesh--another holy destination of |
| to the Char Dham-Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and | | | | Uttarakhand--and is well connected by rail, air and road. |
| Yamunotri. A holy dip in the Ganga at Haridwar is | | | | The National Highway 45 passes through Haridwar, |
| regarded very auspicious and cleanses one of all sins | | | | and hence, the place is easily reachable from all parts |
| and impurities. | | | | of the state and beyond by road. The nearest airport |
| Besides the renowned Har-Ki-Pauri at Haridwar, which | | | | is at Dehradun. |
| is much renowned for its mesmerizing aartis and the | | | | Author is an expert writer on travel domain, and have |
| floating diyas, there are some other ghats spots at | | | | great experience on travel writing. |
| Haridwar visited by the pilgrims in good numbers to | | | | |