About Haridwar

 

Perched on the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, at the point where the Ganges emerges to flow out upon the Indian plains, Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places to Hindus which has been held in reverence for centuries. Legend has it that Bhagiratha brought the Ganges into the earth, and into this point where his ancestors were burnt to ashes by the curse of the sage Kapila. Kapilastaan is a spot in Haridwar that is pointed to as Kapila's hermitage. Haridwar, which means 'Gateway of Gods', is also a point of entry to Dev Bhoomi and Char Dham (The four main centres of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand) Viz. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. This sacred city is home to many Ashrams (hermitages and places for meditation) and Dharamshalas (rest houses for pilgrims) that have been established by various swamis, yogis and religious institutions. Haridwar witnesses pilgrims from across the globe who come here in droves to bathe in the Ganges. And as dusk falls, the river comes alive with flickering flames as floating offerings are released onto the Ganges by the devotees of Lord Shiva and Vishnu. The city also hosts a large pilgrimage festival each year in April at the beginning of the Hindu solar year. Kumbha Mela is held every twelve years while the city soaks up in the spiritual colour during Ardh Kumbha, or half Kumbha which is held every six years. During these important festivals, millions of pilgrims throng to Haridwar from throughout India and abroad.

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