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Haridwar Travel Information

Haridwar or hardwar in Uttarakhand is well known as a holy place for Hindus, a center of Hindu religion. It is located on the banks of sacred River Ganga, where the Ganges descends from the hills to the North Indian plains. Haridwar attracts a large number of Hindu pilgrims from all over the world. Alcohol is strictly banned in Haridwar. The world’s largest mela known as Kumbh Mela is also held in Haridwar ones in twelve years. In hindi, Haridwar means Dwar (gateway) of Hari (god). It is one of the seven holiest places to hindus. It was earlier famous by the name Gangadwara as this is the place where ganga descends to plains.

Haridwar holds an enormous of religious significance. Haridwas is known for giant temples, market streets, forts and various ancient monuments. Haridwar is known as a “The Gateway of Gods”. It is a place where river Ganga coming from mighty Himalayas meet the plains. Haridwar is meant to be one of the holiest places according to the Hindu mythology. It is the magical combination of beautiful nature combined with spiritual ambience. One of the reasons of Haridwar being popular among tourist is that it provides the large number of ayurvedic treatments and Yoga. Haridwar has some of the best Ayurvedic and Yoga Institutes. Back in the ancients times it is aid that Haridwar got its name from Rishis (Sadhus) .
Festivals are celebrated with full enthusiasm. Visitors specially visit this place during festive season, rooms and tickets are booked in advance. Roads are jam packed during festivals. It is one of the four places where nectar of immortality felt, the spot where nectar fell in haridwar is considered to be the Brahma Kund at Har ki Pauri, the most sacred ghat of the city, thousand of devotees come here and take holy sanan (bath) in it to wash their sins to attain Moksha (as believed).

Every evening around 7 PM, thousands of devotees gather at this place and worship the river ganga by putting diyas, floating lamps in it. The view looks beautiful and fascinating.

Other yearly festivals include Baisakhi in April and Kanwar Mela in July which draws up to 3, 00, 000 visitors to the sacred place. Somwati Amavasya which takes place in July is almost as large as the Kanwar Mela. Also, Kartik Purnima, which happens 15 days after Diwali on the first night of the full moon in November, Maya Devi Mandir, and located on upper road, is also an awesome sacred event. This temple is one of the 51 "Shakti Peeths" and it’s the presiding deity of Haridwar. It is from this temple Haridwar derives its other name Mayapur.

Haridwar offers several shopping centers for those who are interested in shopping at economical prices. The main shopping centers are Moti bazaar, Upper Road, Jwalapur and Kankhal, the Government Handloom and Handicrafts Emporiums and the Gandhi Ashram. Various handicraft materials can be found here including decorative pieces, idols of god, rings, and bangles. A jewellery lover can choose from variety of imitation ones.
In Haridwar, you will find neatly carved stone idols, which could be unique souvenirs. These stones have traversed with Ganga all along and eventually deposited in Rishikesh as the river enters the plains. This gives the stones amazing shapes and a natural polish. Besides idols, there are kitchen set toys made from stone, which are interesting buys.
FYI:
Population 2,30,000
Languages Hindi and English
STD code 0133

Haridwar Tourist attraction

• Har ki Pori – It is one of the main ghats. The ghat is on the west bank of a canal through which the Ganges is diverted just to the north. It is a place where river Ganga touches the plain after travelling in the mountains. Every evening during the sunset you can experience the Ganga Aarti  on the Ghats.

• Mansa Devi –This popular temple is located at the top of Bilwa Parvat (Hill) on the foothills on Himalayas. This ancient temple is dedicated to Mansa Devi  a form of Power. The temple is aesthetically not particularly very different, but the views are quite grand and exquisite. The temple on the whole provides the intense experience. You can easily reach there by taking local buses, rickshaws, Tongas or by Taxis but the most excited way to reach there is by  trolley ropeway .

Bharat Mata Mandir - 5 km north of the center is dedicated to Mother India, this is half temple, half nation building exercise, with seven floors stacked with deities, saints, and secular heroes of all Indian faiths. >Chandidevi Mandir -  is located 8 to 9 kilometers away from railway station is also a place to visit. Bilkeshwar Mahadev Mandir -  is a Shiva temple located on a hill provides an elegant view.
 

• Bhimgada Tank - On the way to Rishikesh, this tank is said to have been made by Bhim with the blow of his knee, when the Pandavas were going to the Himalayas through Haridwar.

• Sapt Rishi Ashram and Sapt Sarovar  - This is a place where Ganga splits itself in seven (sapt) current so that the seven (sapt) sadhus (Rishi’s) meditating there do not get disturbed.

• Canal Centenary Bridge – It located near Har-ki-Pauri, this bridge commands a beautiful view of the canal, and all the ghats.

• Trivani Ghat – This is especially a bathing spot on the banks of river Ganga in Rishikesh. It is believed that this is a place where river Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati merge together. The one who take a dip in the ghat will have salvation from all thrie sins as the water here has the power to purify them.

• Lakshman Jhula -  It is an iron bridge, a famous landmark in rishikesk known for the views it offer os the river Ganga flowing below. It is 450 ft long built in 1939 and is the main path to go down o geeta bhavan and Swarg Ashram. This is the bridge where lord Rama’s brother Laxman is said to ave crossed the riveron a jute rope.

• Ram Jhula – Ramjhula is situated 3Km north of Rishikesh.  It is one of the most popular places in rishikesh, famous for ashrams.

• Neelkanth Temple – An ancient temple located on a hill above Swarg Ashram in Haridwar, 5,500 ft above see level. The temple is dedicated to lord shiva. It has a beautiful carving in every nook and corner. It attracts devotees of Lord Shiva and nature lovers as it is situated in the forest above the hill.

• Geeta Bhawan – It is located on the banks of river Ganga by the side of Laxman jhula. It attracts people because of some attractive statues of characters Hindu mythology. It is dedicated as a Museum for puranic and mythological awareness of the common public.Lot of tourists visit here for the holy dip in river Ganga and stay at Geeta bhavan which offers  discourse halls and over 1000 rooms available free of charge for the stay of devotees.

• Parmath Niketan – This is the largest ashram located on the banks of river Ganga. Parmarth Niketan is a true abode of peace and serenity where the pristine nature blends with the universal spiritual truth. It is a place that has been renowned for the annual International Yoga Festival. Many people come here to get he knowledge about yoga and it provides some of the best ingredients for healthy life.

• Rishikund – It is located near the Triveni Ghat. Rishikesh. According to the legend, this pond was saturated by Goddess Yamuna and it mirrors the temple of Ragunath, which is devoted to lord Rama and his wife.

Vasistha Goofa(Cave) - This cave (Vashishta Goofa) is an Hour Drive drive from rishikesh where Hindu saint vashishta meditated on the banks of the river Ganga. The cave is very peaceful and is indeed a perfect place for meditation.

• Shivpuri River Rafting Point – It is just 3 km’s from Rishikesh. A riverside modern Nature/Adventure/holiday theme camp banking the holi Ganges at the famous Shivpuri Beach and nestled silently amongst the greenest hills of Rishikesh .If you want the ultimate experience then you have to go rafting  on this river. The magnificence of white water is yet another facet of India's natural treasures.

Besides religious destination, it is growing as major industrial destination of the state. Large firms like ITC and Mahindra & Mahindra are setting up industries here.    
 

 How To Get There ?
By AIR:
Nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun which is 35 Km’s from Haridwar.

By RAIL:
The Railways have a station at Haridwar. This major pilgrimage center has been well connected by trains to all the major towns of India. In fact trains bring the major load of pilgrims and tourist inflow to Haridwar.

By Road:
 The National Highway No - 45 crosses through the city of Haridwar, so it is connected to other cities of the State as well as other towns in India in an efficient manner. There are buses available from Delhi to this place .

From	Kms
Delhi	199 kms
Lucknow	475 kms
Agra	365 kms
Meerut	129 kms
Dehradun	35 kms