Haridwar

Hundreds and thousands of pilgrims flock to Haridwar to pray and to attain Nirvana. Picturesque and endowed with great natural beauty this holy city is a lodestar not only to the devout, but also to the lovers of nature.

Haridwar, the city blessed by the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva nestles at the foot of the Shivalik Range and is the destination of thousands of devout Hindus. It is here that the mighty Ganges leaves the mountains for her journey through the plains of India. A bathe in the waters of the Ganga is said to set you on the path to Nirvana. Haridwar is also one of the major Shaktipeeths (seat of divine power) in India and follows the gurukul tradition till date. A place of scenic beauty, Haridwar provides the traveller with plenty to see and learn.

Haridwar is dotted with numerous temples and sightseeing spots. The Har Ki Pauri ghat, said to be built by Vikaramaditya to the memory of his brother Bhartrihari, is one of the most sacred places in not only Haridwar, but also India. The Maha Aarti performed every evening here is a must see for any visitor.

Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi, two temples situated at trekking distance from the city are also well worth a visit. The ancient temple of Maya Devi is dedicated to Sati, the spouse of Lord Shiva who immolated herself to preserve his honour and is one of the major Shakthipeeths.

Four kms from Haridwar is the Daksha Mahadev temple built in honour of Sati's father, King Daksha Prajapati. Legend has it that King Daksha displeased with his daughter's marriage to Lord Shiva did not invite them to a yagya. Sati, who went nonetheless, was insulted by her father and unable to bear it burnt herself alive. Daksha was killed by Shiva's followers and later brought back to life by Shiva. The temple commemorates this event and is one of the five sacred places in Haridwar.

Finally a visit to Haridwar would be incomplete without a look at the Gurukul Kangri University to experience the gurukul system first-hand.

Haridwar is not only about temples. It has a great deal on offer for nature lovers as well. At one spot the Ganges divides into seven small streams called the Sapt Rishi, which provides the visitor with a vision of beauty.

Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar is an excellent point to watch for migratory birds of which the Siberian Crane is the most illustrious visitor to these shores. Once at Uttaranchal region, you wouldn't want to go away without journeying the other tourist attractions that are at an easy distance from Haridwar.

Rishikesh, the land where the Gods meditate, is 24 kms from Haridwar and is a major pilgrimage centre for the Hindus. Steeped in history and tradition it is a veritable delight for the tourist.

Demonstrating the mingling of Hindu and Muslim culture is a Dargah called Piran Kalier dedicated to the memory of Hazrat Makhdum Allauddin Ali Sabir, 23 kms to the south of Haridwar. Famous for its mystical powers, hordes of Hindus and Muslims make a beeline for it.

Deoprayag, where the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi meet, is another stop for the devotee and is at a distance of 95 kms from Haridwar.

If you wish to combine your love for nature and adventure then the Rajaji National Park at Chilla is the place to visit.

For those who love the hills, Dehradun at 54 kms and Mussorie at 89 kms offer a welcome relief from the heat and dust.

Climate
Even though it is situated at a height of 300 metres, Haridwar is hot in summer (mid April till June) the mercury rising to as much as forty degrees Celsius and very cold in winter (November till February) with the temperature dipping to a low of six degrees Celsius. During the monsoons from mid-June to end-August it is a place best avoided. The best months for a visit are between September and June.

The nearest airport is Jollygrant, a half-hour drive from Haridwar. Taxis and buses ply regularly between the airport and city making it easily accessible. Haridwar is also well connected by rail so travelling is not a problem. It is 215 kms from New Delhi, (a 6 hrs journey) India's capital. National Highway No. 45 runs through the city and the state transport provides ample number of buses from the ordinary to the air-conditioned deluxe ones.

Once in Haridwar, horse carriages called tongas and cycle rickshaws apart from motorised taxis and local buses are available in plenty for in-city travel.

Once you are in Haridwar there are plenty of hotels that cater to the elite as well as the middle-class tourist. Hotel Basera, Hotel Bhaskara, Hotel Himgiri, Hotel Milap Mansion all provide comfortable accommodation and food and are located within easy distance of the main places of tourist interest.

For any further information the visitor can contact the Regional Tourist Office, Haridwar at (091-133) 427370; The Tourist Bureau at (091-133) 424240; or The Tourist Information Centre at (091-133) 427817.

A tourist, if he/she can, should time his arrival for the Ardh Kumbh, which is held every six years at Haridwar. This festival attracts all manners of people from politicians to sadhus to the common man and is a sight to behold. Of course, the other ideal time to come is during the festive time of September end to November when the entire city, rather the whole country, celebrates the festivals of Dussera, Navratri and Diwali.

Considering the large number of places to be seen a trip to this holy city can be difficult so it is better to be well prepared.