About Haridwar Haridwar which is also referred as ‘gateway to gods’, is located where Ganga, the holy of all Indian rivers, enters the Indo-Gangetic plains. Haridwar is located at the foothills of the Himalaya. It is the city of temples and ashrams. Haridwar serves as the gateway to the Char Dham of Uttarakhand. Haridwar is one of the four holy Indian cities that host the Kumbh Mela, a pious gathering of millions of Hindu devotees every 12 years. The Ardh Kumbh is organised here every six years. It also hosts the Kanwar mela every year during the rainy season. The ‘Panch Tirth’ or the five pilgrimages located within the periphery of Haridwar, are Gangadwara (Har Ki Pauri), Kushwart (Ghat), Kankhal, Bilwa Tirtha (Mansa Devi Temple) and Neel Parvat (Chandi Devi). Haridwar has several ghats where pilgrims gather to take a dip in River Ganga. It is believed that the Ganga can dissolve ones sin. Some of the popular ghats here are Har ki Pauri, Vishnu Ghat, Ganesh Ghat, Birla Ghat and Gau Ghat.
Ganga Aarti: The Ganga Aarti depends upon the time of the sunrise and sunset in Haridwar. In a day it is done two times both in morning and in evening. During summer i.e., from March to October, the morning Aarti starts between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM, while the evening Aarti starts between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM. During winter the morning Aarti begins between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM, and the evening Aarti begins between 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM. Ganga Aarti performed in Har Ki Pauri is a fascinating experience to participate with the chants of mantras and the pooja bell [ghanti] sound from the temple flowing in the air and the River Ganga shines with the lighting divas.
Haridwar have several ashrams. Some of them include Shantikunj, Ma Anandamayi Ashram, Sapt Rishi Ashram, Harihar Ashram, Bharat Sevashram Sangh and Vyas Ashram. Some of the most famous temples in Haridwar are:
Manasa Devi Temple : Temple dedicated to Goddess Manasa Devi, located in Bilwa Parvat. It is one of the three Siddh Peeths the other two include Chandi Devi Haridwar and Maya Devi Haridwar. It is reachable either by trekking or by using the ropeway called ‘Mansa Devi Udankhadola’.
Chandi Devi Temple : Temple dedicated to Goddess Chanda Devi, located in Neel Parvat. It is reachable either by trekking or by using the ropeway called ‘Chandi Devi Udankhadola’.
Maya Devi Temple : Maya Devi resides in this temple along with Chamunda Devi, Sheetala Devi, Devi Shakti, and Devi Kamakhya. Located in Birla Ghat, East of Har Ki Pauri.
Har ki Pauri Ganga Temple : Located in Bank of River Ganges.
Daksh Mahadev Temple : Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Kankhal.
Dakshin Kali Mandir : Temple dedicated to powerful Goddess Dakshin Kali Mata, located in Cheela Dam- Rishikesh Road of Haridwar.
Best Time To Visit Haridwar Throughout the year. Climate will be moderate all round the year. Haridwar experiences Summer from March to May; Monsoon from July to September; Winter from October to February.
Address Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249401
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