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Haridwar tourism, Temples in haridwar, Haridwar travel guide, Hotels in Haridwar, Information about Haridwar

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Sapta Mokshadaayi Puris - Haridwar

 

Introduction

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Introduction: 
   
Mahabharat mentions about this important Kumbh location as 1 of the 7 lands (Mokshdaayi Puri) where salvation can be attained.
    
This Uttaranchal city is 222 km from Delhi and 52 km from Dehradun.
    
The Ganga River enters the plains from here. The char-dham pilgrimage of Uttaranchal also begins from here and therefore, it is also known as Devbhoomi Pravesh Dwar (Gateway to God’s Land).
    
Various religious sources refer to Haridwar by different names like Kushawart, Har-dwar, Kapila, Gangadwar etc.
    
According to traditional beliefs, Mayapuri, Haridwar, Kankhal, Jwalapur, and Bheem-Gaud are together called Haridwar.
 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
The significance of Haridwar is proven by the fact that the almighty not only gave a boon to King Shwet but also promised to be present here always.
    
 Vishnu, the preserver of the world is also believed to have visited Haridwar and his foot print impressions can be seen in Har-ki-Paudi even today.
    
During the yagna by King Daksh, Haridwar witnessed the gentle and the furious forms of Shiv. The famous Shakti Peeth is also situated here.
   
Skand Puran states that 33 crore (330 million) pilgrimages reside in Haridwar; hence, taking a holy dip in Haridwar is equivalent to taking a dip in all the pilgrimages.
    
Padm Puran includes a story of Kalinga dacoit who is believed to have attained salvation after dying here in spite of him being a great sinner.
    
The Puranas state that a man who has taken a holy dip in the Haridwar Kumbhwhen Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Sun is in Aries, will never reincarnate.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
Archaeological evidences suggest the ancient culture existing in this area was Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture, which can be dated back to as early as 1500 B.C.
   
Both the great epics Mahabharat & Ramayan have a mention of the importance of Haridwar.
   
During the Maurya period, it was a part of the Maurya kingdom. An Ashok pillar has been found in Kalsi (Dehradun).
   
According to the Prayag citation, Samudragupt has conquered this region too.
   
Haridwar was also a part of the Harsha kingdom. The contemporary Chinese traveller, Huan Tsang visited Haridwar and referred to it as Mo-yu-lo (Mayapur).
   
Aadi Guru Shankaracharya visited this area in the 9th century A.D. and tried to resurrect the Hindu religion.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
   
Har ki paudi:
 
The Mahakumbh is held here. Vishnu’s foot prints are located here, and it is here that King Shwet got a boon from Brahma. The grand Ganga Aarti is worth seeing. The pilgrims take a holy bath before embarking on the char dham yatra.
    
Kankhal:
 
7 km from Haridwaris the Daksheshwar temple. King Daksh performed a yagna here and sati ended her life by setting herself ablaze with the fire from her soul. It is believed that one achieves freedom from the life-and-death cycle by taking a holy dip here.
    
Neeldhara:
 
The source stream of the Ganga flows half a kilometre to the east of Haridwar and is called Neeldhara. Neel, a follower of Shiv established a Shivling, which eventually was known as Neeleshwar Mahadev.
    
Mansadevi:
 
There is a Mansadevi temple on Bilva mountain, which has a 3-faced, 5-handed idol of Mansadevi. From here, one can have a scenic view of Haridwar, the flow of Ganga and the natural beauty of the Himalaya.
    
Bheem-Gauda:
 
This is a spring on the Rishikesh route. It is believed that Bheem meditated here, and the spring was formed due to the pressure of his knees. The Pawan dham temple next to it has beautiful mirror work.
   
Gau-ghat:
 
This is the southern ghat of Har-ki-paudi. Those who have sinned by killing a cow are beaten with a shoe and then made to bathe with the belief that this will rid them of their sins.
   
Kushawart:
 
Lord Dattatray meditated for 10,000 years on grass. It is believed that the importance of bath, donation, and prayers performed here is a million times greater than those done elsewhere.
   
Kotitirth:
 
To the west of Kankhal is the temple of Lord Koteshwar. A night spent here in prayers and donation is equivalent to a Pundarik yagna.
   
Sapt Rishi Ashram:
 
In order to appease the 7 meditating sages, the Ganga was split into 7 parts and is now known as Saptganga.
   
Chandi devi Temple:
 
This temple was built on the Neel mountain by the king of Kashmir, Suchet Singh.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Annual bath:
 
A holy dip has special significance on the first day of Vaishakh, Ashadh Shukla Dashmi, Kartik Poornima, Ekadashi and Amavasya of all months, Makar Sankranti, and during eclipses.
    
Mahakumbh:
 
It is the biggest festival here. It is held every 12 years and lasts for a month. The last Mahakumbh was held in 1998 A.D., and the next one is due in April/May 2010.
   
Ardhkumbh:
 
Held in the sixth year of every Kumbh, the next Ardhkumbh will take place in April/May 2016.
    
Ganga Dashera:
 
According to the Puranas, Ganga River appeared on Ashadh Shukla Dashmi (usually July). This day is celebrated as Ganga Dashera in a grand way.
   
Kaanwar Mela:
 
This is held in Shravan (a Hindu month that coincides with July/August) when Shiv devotees fill water in Kanwars and offer this water to Shiv.
   
Navratri:
 
Shakti (Durga) is ceremoniously worshipped in the Ashwin month.
   
Mahashivratri:
 
It is celebrated with grand processions in the month of Magh (Jan-Feb).
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas:
 
 Sargodha Dharmshala  Haridwar
 Sindhi Dharmshala  Haridwar
 Madhav Dharmshala  Haridwar
 Shriganga Dharmshala  Haridwar
 Agrawal Dharmshala  Haridwar
    
Hotels:
 
 Category  General
 Name  Hotel Ashok
 Address  Jasram Road, Haridwar, Uttaranchal
 Telephone  +91 - 1334 - 227 328 
 Fax  +91 - 1334 - 226 807
    
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Hotel Teerth
 Address  Subhash Ghat, Har ki Paudi, Haridwar, Uttaranchal
 Telephone  +91 - 1334 - 225 211 ,  225 311, 227 111
 Fax  +91 - 1334 - 225 111  
 Web Site  www.hotelteerth.com
   
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Hotel Alpana
 Address  Ram Ghat, Haridwar, Uttaranchal
 Telephone  +91 - 1334 - 225 544 , 224 567
 Fax  +91 - 1334 - 225 544 / 224 567
 Web Site   www.alpanahotels.com
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Hotel Haveli Hari Ganga
 Address  Peelibheet House, 2, Ramghat, Haridwar,
 Uttaranchal  - 249 401
 Telephone  +91 - 1334 - 226 443 / 265 207, 09412074416 / 09719453434
 Fax  +91 - 1334 - 265 207 
 Web Site   www.havelihariganga.com
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Hotel Sagar Ganga
 Address  Niranjan Akhada Road, Narsaf Parking, Mayapur,
 Uttaranchal - 249 401
 Telephone  +91 - 1334 - 222 115
 Web Site  www.sagarresort.com
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  300 feet  160 cms
 29.58˚ N  79.13˚ E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum   33  33  34  34  34  30  29  29  30  31  33  33
 Minimum  21  22  24  25  25  24  23  23  23  23  23  21
   
 
Important Informations
June to mid-September is affected by monsoon and May-June by extreme heat. Therefore the remaining 8 months are ideal for visiting Haridwar.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 01334
 Puja Timings
 Morning aarti (summer) - 5.30 a.m., Morning aarti  (winter) - 6.00 a.m. / Evening aarti - 8.00 p.m.
 Police Assistance
  +91 - 1334 - 239 777  / 242 666
 Hospital &  Ambulance
  City Hospital, Super Complex
 +91 - 1334 - 220 180  / 82
 Currency  Exchange
 Punjab National Bank
 Laksar Haridwar, Haridwar, Uttaranchal - 249 401
 Tel: 91 - 1332 - 254 901 
 Canara Bank
 Railway Road, Haridwar, Uttaranchal - 249 401
 Tel: 91 - 1334 -227 208 
 ATM Centre  ICICI Bank Limited
 7 C, Awas Vikas, Ground floor, Delhi Road,
 Haridwar - 249 407
 HDFC
 313/8, Civil Lines, Haridwar Road, Roorki,  Haridwar,  Uttaranchal
 SBI
 Chitra Cinema, Haridwar, Uttaranchal
 Post Office
 Jawalpur City, Tel: +91 - 1334 - 250 450 
 Tourist Office
  Regional Tourism Office, Tel: +91 - 1334 - 227 370 
 Shopping
 Tourists can buy rudraksh, stone articles and   handicrafts   from  here. These items can be bought   from Moti Bazar   or   Upper Road.
   
 
Food
Generally, non vegetarian food is prohibited in Haridwar. However, one can relish North Indian, South Indian and Chinese dishes besides pizzas, buggers, sandwiches etc.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf iconharidwar.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
- देहरादून
- नई दिल्ली
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Haridwar  HW
 Rishikesh  RKSH
 Dehradun  DDN
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Yamunotri  Dehradun  240 km
 Rishikesh  201 km
 Haridwar  223 km
 Gangotri

 

  Dehradun  212 km
 Rishikesh  177 km
 Haridwar  200 km
 Kedarnath  Dehradun  163 km
 Haridwar  151 km
 Rishikesh  130 km
 Badrinath  Dehradun  245 km
 Joshimath  31 km
 Haridwar  230 km
 Haridwar  Dehradun  49 km
 Rishikesh  24 km

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