Uttarakhand is full of soulful places. Whether it is Kedarnath, Tunganath, or Badrinath, this Indian state has many places to offer. The place that we are going to talk about here is Haridwar.
The meaning of the name Haridwar is “The Doorway To Lord Vishnu.” The holy city of Haridwar is a pilgrimage destination for many people. This city is located in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, and it is 28 km away from the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh. The touch of the holy river Ganga flowing for 157 km here in Haridwar gives this city a name called Gangadwara, literally meaning “The gateway of the Ganga.”
The History Of Haridwar
Haridwar is the first place to encounter in your journey to Badrinath, Kedarnath, or any other significant pilgrimage spot. The history of Haridwar tells that this city withstood the onslaught of different empires but still holds on to its spiritual core.
The holy city has been mentioned in numerous sacred texts and manuscripts before the inception of Buddha’s period. According to archaeological surveys of this city, the terracotta culture thrived in Haridwar from 1700 BCE to 1300 BCE.
Geography Of Haridwar
The total area covers by the district of Haridwar is 2370 km square, and the city lies in the Southwestern zone of Uttarakhand. The main river of the area is Ganga, and it flows through series of paths, segregated from each other. There are seasonal streams in Haridwar named Ranipur, Pithri Rao Rao, Begam Nadi, Harunaii Rao.
All the nearby railway stations and other transport facilities have great connectivity with the transport facility of Haridwar.
- Rishikesh – 28 km (half hour journey)
- Delhi- 201 Km (four and a half hour journey)
Things To Do In Haridwar
Har Ki Pauri
The name is so famous among the people of Haridwar and Rishikesh that everyone knows about it. The well-known landmark of Har Ki Pauri is a Ganga ghat. In other words, it is an exit point of the holy river Ganga.
Some popular activities that take place here are:
- The Ganga Aarti,
- The largest gathering in the world (The Kumbh Mela).
The ghat is a primary topic of interest in many ritual activities in India.
- Like – Asthi Visarjan (Submerging the remains of the loved one after their funeral) and taking a dip into Ganga’s water to wash all your sins.
Mansa Devi Temple
If you meet someone who is ever been to Haridwar then they will tell you the true blissful experience to worship the Mansa Devi Temple. Located on Bilwa Parvat, you can reach the temple through the ropeway ride. The ride will take you to the top of the mountain from where you can enjoy the beautiful view of Haridwar city. In the temple, the goddess of snakes resides, believed to be the daughter of Lord Shiva. Who emerged from the mind of Lord Shiva.
Chandi Devi Temple
The next one on the list is the Chandi Devi Temple. The temple is one of the most ancient temples of India, dedicated to the goddess Chandi. You can witness the beauty of Neel Parvat (The temple’s location) from far away. Like Mansa Devi, you have to ride along with the ropeway rail. After reaching the temple, you can enjoy the 360-degree view of Haridwar city with nearby areas.
The Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary
If you love animals, then Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary is for you. There are more than 50 species of mammals like the great Asian Elephant, Tigers, Leopards, Jackal, Himalayan Black Bear, etc. You may also amaze by the fact that this park has over 315 species of birds in its zone. You will surely enjoy nature’s gift here alongside the river Ganges.
Shantikunj Ashram
The Ashram of Shantikunj is one of the famous places to visit in Haridwar. People come here from all across the world for their spiritual development and mental balance. The Ashram is 5 km away from the holy ghat of Har Ki Pauri, and it is often visited by Dalai Lama.
Swami Vivekanand Park
Haridwar drives your spiritual as well as mental awareness. Haridwar is a city of not so many parks, but there is one park famous by the name of Swami Vivekanand Park that can give you a feeling of total freshness and a spot for a picnic. You can have a beautiful view of Har Ki Pauri.
Attending The Famous Ganga Aarti
The Aarti of Goddess Ganga or The holy river Ganga attracts so many people from different places of the world.
The timings of the Aarti are :
- Starts from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- On the ghat of Har Ki Pauri
Shoaping Is Fun In Haridwar
Bara Bazaar
You can find this marketplace near the railway station. What kind of things do you find in this market?
The market is famous for ornaments and Ayurvedic products. One can easily find some cheaper ayurvedic products there.
Moti Bazaar
This marketplace is both famous and the oldest in Haridwar. It is famous for bangles, clothes, sweets, and other useful and fashion-related items.
Jawalapur Market
If food is the real king to solve the variety of tension in your mind. Then Jawalapur Market is your place to be. There are many food stalls out there that are filled with delicious food items and make your mood shining.
How To Reach Haridwar
By Air
The connectivity of Haridwar to the nearest airport is 20km. Jolly Grant is the name of the airport located in the town of Jolly Grant, which is closest to the city of Haridwar. There are several flights to Jolly Grant airport from the closest metropolis like Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, etc. When you reach the airport of Jolly Grant, have a cab and move to Haridwar to start your tour.
By Train
The railway station of Haridwar is one of the major railway stations in Uttarakhand. There are several trains from different parts of the country to Haridwar. Therefore, you will never feel troubled while heading your way to Haridwar.
By Road
Haridwar is located at a distance of 225 km from the nation’s capital Delhi. You can easily travel by road from Delhi through National Highway 334 or National Highway 34. There is a smooth path stretched out between Delhi and Haridwar.
Visiting The Nearby Friend
Haridwar comes up with great compatibility at a distance of 28 km to the North. The city of Rishikesh is the compatibility I was talking about in the first line. Rishikesh is the yoga capital of the world with a natural aspect of green surroundings. Several adventure activities take place in Rishikesh that can make your experience even better.
Therefore, if you ever come to Haridwar, make sure you visit Rishikesh too because it is worth it.
Book Your Tour To Haridwar With Us
From 1967 till now, the Shiv Shankar Tirth Yatra group is serving several people and making their touring experience better. We provide every bit of satisfaction on the table with our service quality and on-time delivery.
As per our record, there was not a single customer ever dissatisfied with our service. The main goal of our tour & travel organization is to make your experience as a solo traveler or as a family member bigger and better.
For more information and to book your Mathura tour,
You can contact Shiv Shankar Tirth Yatra at +91-9412050868 / +91-135-2436468
Or can mail your queries to shivstyc@gmail.com. Happy Journey!
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