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Haridwar
has very rich ancient religious and cultural heritage. In the
ancient scriptures of India, this place is well known by the
name of Mayapur. This city is also well known for many other
things apart from the holy river Ganges. Haridwar has
privilege of having IIT at Roorkee, formerly known as
University of Roorkee, founded in 1847 as a first technical
institute of India. The tomb Piran Kaliar of Shabir Shahib in
Roorkee is a living example of religious harmony in India
which is visited by the people of all religious sects from all
over the world. There is another University in the city called
Gurukul Kangri Vishva Vidyalaya apart from the head quarter of
Uttaranchal State Public Service Commission also being
established at Haridwar.
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!
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. |
