HARIDWAR, A MOKSHADAYANI CITY-

A pilgrimage to Haridwar is very popular and significant in India .Not only Hindu but people from all parts of world visit this region for various reasons. For Hindus, Haridwar is a MOKSHA DAYANI PURI (there are only seven such holy cities in India) where as for others this is a place to understand Indian culture and traditions. Haridwar is about 200 km from Delhi and is located at the bank of holy river Ganga in the Uttaranchal State of India .
 Haridwar is also known as Mayapuri and it is a place, where the world famous Kumbh Mela (The largest religious gathering in India) is held periodically.Haridwar, also known as Hari Ka Dwar, is a gate for CHAR DHAM YATRA in Uttaranchal. Haridwar is also a very important place for SHAKTIUPASAK people due to existence of living Goddess Gangaji as well as the holy temples of Mansadevi and Chandidevi. Mansadevi and Chandidevi are the two hill top temples on either side of sacred river Ganga.The temple of Mayadevi is another important temple in Haridwar. Although there are several bathing ghats along Ganga river, but every Hindu has a lasting wish to take a holy dip at HAR KI PAURY, which is the most beautiful and popular bathing ghat in this region. It is believed that at Har Ki Pauri an AMRIT KALASH exists inside the river bed of Gangaji that is why it is supposed to be most sacred place in Haridwar .The impressive & traditional ARTI of Gangaji at sunset time is a must and unique life time experience for all tourists,irrespective of their faith.
Kankhal in Haridwar is a legendary place associated with Daksha Prajapati (Father in law of Lord Shiva) and his daughter Sati. A visit to Daksheswar Mahadev temple, which is devoted to Lord Shiva, is a must. In this shrine, beside the sacred Linga of lord Shiva the famous YAGYAKUND (Now known as SATIKUND) where Mata Sati jumped in to the flames, still exists.It is believed that while performing an important YAGYA,Daksha Prajapati intentionally did not invited Lord Shiva in the religious gathering so the Sati felt insulted and sacrificed her life .Afterwards when the whole incident came in the knowledge of Lord Shiva,he instructed his GANAS to destroy the yagya and to punish the Daksha Prajapati.There are also a small number of RUDRAKSHA trees in Kankhal area.Rudraksha is also associated with Lord Shiva.
Haridwar is a place also known for mediation, Yoga, learning of Vedas and Ayurveda .There are several institutes and ASHRAMS in Haridwar ,where such facilities are available.Several good and budget hotels are available in Haridwar but many devotees prefer to live in ASHRAMS, most of them very neat and clean. It will be worthwhile to mention that in Haridwar being a holy city, only vegetarian food is available.Some of the photographs of Haridwar are as follows -

 AN EVENING VIEW OF HAR KI PAURI

AN EVENING VIEW OF HAR KI PAURI

 

MAIN BATHING GHAT AT HAR KI PAURI