If one goes by Hindu mythology, Haridwar dates back to the time when Brahma was creating the world. The gods and demons churned the ocean for the pot of nectar and while Garuda was carrying the pot, a few drops fell at this spot, making it a place for eternal salvation. The city thrived around to BC as shown by the terra cota findings at this spot. It is even more ancient, finding mention in the Mahabharata where the sage Dhaumya extolled the virtues of this spot to Yudhisthira of the Panch Pandavas.
Sage Kapila had an ashram here as did Agastya Muni. The Mauryans ruled in Haridwar from to BC. The Kushans then took over around the 1st and 2nd century AD. King Harshvardhan ruled here during to AD. Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru and founder of the religion, bathed at the Kushwan Ghat when he set out on a pilgrimage. The Rajaji National Park is just 10 kms from Haridwar.
Its an ideal destination for wild life and adventure lovers. In the evening the ghats look breathtakingly beautiful as thousands of diyas lamps and marigold flowers float and illuminate the holy waters. Haridwar as today has not only religious importance but it has another temple of modern civilization i. The IIT Roorkee Earlier Roorkee University at Roorkee is one of the oldest and prestigious institute of learning in the fields of science and engineering.
A large pilgrimage festival is held each year in April at the beginning of the Hindu solar year. Every twelve years the great festival of Kumbha Mela is held and every six years an Ardh Kumbha, or half Kumbha. During these important festivals millions of pilgrims throng to Hardwar from throughout India. Twenty-four kilometers north of Hardwar is another holy town named Rishikesh, meaning 'abode of the mystic sages'. These two places, Hardwar and Rishikesh, have place-names that indicate their spiritual rather than secular attributes.
Nowadays both towns are bustling social centers; in ancient times, however, they were quiet forests groves, nestled along rushing mountain rivers - the perfect place for contemplation and a life in harmony with the way of nature. While not speaking directly of Hardwar or Rishikesh, the following passage from the Anusasana Parva Mahabharata a classic text of Hinduism well expresses their magical atmosphere:.
In , Haridwar has population of 25, and Haridwar was a part of the Roorkee tehsil, in Saharanpur district of the United Province. Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya was established in In Haridwar was merged in Uttar Pradesh State. Raja Vikramaditya's brother Bhratuhari has also done penance here. Apart from this two Guru Datatrey also has spent great amount of time here in Meditation.
In Mahabharata great sage Dhaumya mentioned Haridwar Gangadwar as a major pilgrimage town to Yudhisthira. The legendary King Bhagirath, great grandson of the King Sagar of Suryavanshi clan an ancestor of Lord Rama , is said that he brought the river Ganga down from heaven, through his long penance of many years, for the salvation of the souls of his 60, ancestors from the curse of the sage Kapila.
The penance was answered and the river Ganges trickled out from Lord Shiva's locks and its ample holy waters rejuvenated the 60, sons of King Sagara. Sage Kapila lived here in his ashram so this place was also known as Kapilsthan. The tradition which was established by King Bhagirath is now followed by thousands of Hindu devotees, who bring the ashes of their departed family members, in hope of their salvation by the water of river Ganges. Pandits Priests of the Haridwar have been known to keep genealogy records of most of the Hindu population.
Known as vahis, these records are updated on each visit to the city, and are a repository of vast family trees of family in North India.
It is believed that nectar Amrit which was one of the fourteen valuable ornaments that came out from the sea churning Samundra Manthan was sprinkled at 12 places in the entire universe. Out of that 12 places 08 places are in heaven and only 04 places on earth. Har-Ki-Pauri in Haridwar was one of the four places where Amrit was sprinkled on earthr. As a result, every 12 years Khumbh Mela comes to Haridwar and draws more than half a million pilgrims. The Ardha Kumbha Mela comes once in every six years.
It is also said that Haridwar has been blessed by the attendance of all three major Gods; Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Haridwar is the place where terrible Tandava Nrutya dance of destruction performed by Lord Shiva in sorrow led to Lord Vishnu dismembering Sati's body, with the different parts scattering across India. Pilgrims believe that they can go to heaven by getting their salvation after a holy dip in the river Ganges at Haridwar.
Haridwar can be visited through out the year. Shoes are not allowed in all Temples of Haridwar. Haridwar city is spread over Its Altitude is meter from sea level. Literacy rate in Haridwar is According to census in , population of Haridwar district was 18,90, in which Haridwar city has 1,75, Haridwar district sex ratio is female per male.
Hindi, Garhwali and English are the major languages in Haridwar. Non vegetarian food and alcohol is strictly not allowed in Haridwar. Auto rickshaw Vikrams or three wheelers are best option for visit in side in city. You can also use it on sharing basis. Cotton cloths in summer and woolen cloths in winter are best options for clothing. Avoid short cloths such as swim suites, mini skirts because this is holy town. Shoes are strictly not allowed in any temple, holy place or even in the river Ganges.
Photography inside the temple or ashram is not allowed at many places. Haridwar is km from Delhi and 25 km from Rishikesh and km from Mussoorie and 55 Km from Dehradun and km from Devprayag. Everyday hundreds of people come here for the Ganges ceremony Ganga Aarti. During some festival days it is visited by more than million people in a day. River Ganges is worshiped in this ceremony, because river Ganges is providing life in the form of water since hundreds of years to mankind.
Sit at the ghat with local people. Listen vedic hymns with divine music and chant them along with thousands of people.
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