Haridwar

Haridwar : Gateway of Gods Bird eyeview : Hariwar after Dawn

Haridwar is one of the most ancient pilgrimage centres in India that has been reverence from times immemorial. Hari means Lord/God and Dwar means Gateway. Hence Haridwar means Gateway to the Lord. According to the India mythology, it is one of the four places where drops of elixir, Amrita accidentally spilled over from the pitcher or Kumbha, in which it was being carried away by the celestial bird Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. These four spots have today become places where the Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years in succession - Nasik ,Ujjain, Haridwar and Allahabad. Millions of devotees and tourist congregate from all over the world to celebrate this celestial event and perform ritualistic bathing on the banks of the river Ganges.

The spot where the nectar (Amrita) fell is today considered to be Brahma Kund at Har-Ki-Pauri (literally means footsteps of the Lord) which is the most sacred ghat in the Haridwar. Thousands of devotees and pilgrims flock here from all over the world to take a holy dip; it is believed that a dip here will wash away their sins or Karma and provide Moksha.

Places Worth Seeing
1. HAR KI PAURI
arti haridwar

Har Ki Pauri or Brahm Kund is the main ghat of Haridwar. It is so named, as it is believed that the Lord Vishnu's footprint that is imprinted on one of the stones here and which is visited regularly by a number of devotees, who come here to pay their homage to his footpribt of God and take a dip in the sacred waters of Ganges.

Ganga Arti held here every evening is famous because it is quite spectacle to see hundreds of tiny diyas and marigolds floating down the river Ganges as priests recite Om on the Ghat steps.

2. MANSA DEVI TEMPLE
mansa devi, haridwar

MANSA means Wish, Goddess Mansa one of the reincarnated form of Goddess Durga is said to have power to grant your wishes. People here tie a knot on a old tree with a sacred thread and come back to open the knot when thier wishes are fullfilled. This ancient temple of Mansa Devi, the reigning deity of Haridwar, regarded as one of the Siddhpeeths, said to be the place where the heart and the navel of goddess Sati had fallan.

Mansa devi temple is situated on the top of Bilwa Parvat. A cable-car (Udan-Khatola) ride to the Mansa devi temple, is very thrilling, especially, when you look down from the above. Another option is to climb the 1.5 Km strech to the temple.

3. CHANDI DEVI TEMPLE

ropeway haridwar

The temple of Chandi Devi atop the Neel Parvat on the other bank of river Ganga was constructed in 1929 AD. by the king of Kashmir - Suchat Singh. It is a 3 Km. trek from Chandighat. Legend has it that the army chief Chanda-Munda of the demon king Shumbh-Nishumbha was killed by goddess Chandi here after which the place got name Chandi Devi. It is believed that the main statue was established by the Adi Shankaracharya in 8^th century AD. Chandi Devi is a deity who is fierce to the sinners and kind to those who are devoted to her. She is also one of the varied forms of Goddess Durga.

The temple is situated on the hilltop just like Mansa Devi. However, the climb here is much more steep than that of the Mansa Devi Temple and only meant for those who love outdoor exercise. For those who would like to visit the temple and yet save themselves from a tiring journey, cable car may proved to be the better option. One can reach here by Trolly through the ropeway or on the foot.

For Cable Car at Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi Contact :

+91 1334 220324 Timings 8:30AM to 6:00PM

4. SAPT RISHI ASHRAM

Sapt Rishi ashram is located 5 Km. from Haridwar towards Rishikesh. It is said that Seven great sages or Saptarishis, namely

Kashyapa
Vashisht
Atri
Vishwamitra
Jamadagni
Bharadwaja
Gautam

These seven rishis meditated at the site of Sapt Rishi Ashram & Sapt Rishi Sarovar, a place near Haridwar, where Ganga divided herself into seven small stream, so that the Rishis would continue their prayer for the wellness of huminity without any disturbance. It is believed that consetellation of seven stars is actually the saints of who took the form after leaving their mortal bodies for the heavenly abode.

5. PAWAN DHAM

3 Km. from the most famous ghat of Haridwar, Har Ki Pauri, Pavan Dham has become a major tourist attraction. The temple has most beautiful glass interiors. From this place one can also go to the nearby Vaishno Devi Temple, which is a lesser version of the renowned temple of Vaishno Devi of J&K.

6. BHARAT MATA TEMPLE

Bharat Mata Temple is one of its own kind. It is an impressive multi-storeyed building and each of the floors has been dedicated to different Gods. Here the mother India is the prime deity and is depicted with the national flag in her hand and a tri-colored sari adorning the idol. It represents the Unity in Diversity in India and oneness of India.

Bharat Mata Temple is housed in six story buiding with each floor dedicated to particular god or goddess. Elevator is provided for the convienence of devotees.

7. DAKSHA MAHADEV TEMPLE
dhasha mahadev temple, haridwar

This temple is located appoximately 4 Km away from Haridwar in the south Kankhal town. According to mythology , King Daksha Prajapati, performed a yagna but did not invite Lord Shiva his son in law. Sati wife of Shiva got angry and burnt herself in the Yagna Kund now famous as Sati Kund, situated in Kankhal near Haridwar. When grief stricken shivji was carrying corpse of sati, heart and navel of Sati had fallen at the place where the temple of Maya Devi is located, dating back to the 11^th century. The Daksha temple is an attribute to this legend. This place is one of the five sacred places in Haridwar.

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