Haridwar (Hara Dwar) : Map of Haridwar
Haridwar is one of the most sacred pilgrimage places in Uttarakhand state of India. An ancient centre of pilgrimage, Haridwar has a lot of places to see, feel and experience. Haridwar is a city engulfed in ancient myths, legends and fables. Haridwar is also the proud host of the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela and the Ardha (Ardh) Kumbha Mela
General Info
Hari – ki - paudi / Brahmakund
History of the city
Mythological & Religious significance
Spiritual significance
Connectivity
Map of Haridwar
General Info About Haridwar (Hara-Dwar)
Location: In Haridwar district of Uttarakhand in India
Climate:Summers: 40o C (maximum) and 15o C (minimum)
Winters: 16.6o C (maximum) and 0.6o C (minimum)
Best Time to Visit: During the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela and September-November and February to April
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun)
Nearest Railhead: Haridwar
Must Visits: Har-Ki-Pauri, Chandi Devi temple, Mansa Devi Temple, Gurukul Kangadi University, Daksha Prajapati Temple, Bhimgoda Tank, Parad Shivling, Maa Ananda Mayi Ashram and Maya Devi Temple
Languages: Hindi and English
STD Code: +01334 Pin Code: 249403
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Hari (Har) – ki – Paudi (pauri) / Brahmakund
If you stand at the Hari (Har) – ki – Paudi (pauri) long enough,
the whole world would go past you
- Manish K Mokshagundam
A visit to Haridwar (Hara Dwar) is primarily a visit to the Hari (Har) – Ki – Paudi (Pauri) - literally, "footsteps of the Lord," and symbolically the footprints of the Amrita
The most sacred Ghat of Haridwar; thousands of devotees and pilgrims flock here during festivals or Snan from all over India to take a holy dip. This act is considered to be the equivalent of washing away one's sins to attain Moksha or Nirvana
This sacred Ghat was constructed by King Vikramaditya (1st century BC) in memory of his brother Bhrithari. It is believed that Bhrithari came to Haridwar (Hara Dwar) and meditated on the banks of holy Ganga (Ganges). When he died, his brother constructed a Ghat in his name, which later came to be known as Hari-Ki-Pauri
The most sacred Ghat within Har-ki-Pauri is Brahmakund. The evening prayer at dusk (Aarti) offered to Goddess Ganga at Hari-Ki-Pairi (steps towards God Hari) is an enchanting experience for any visitor. A spectacle of sound and colour is seen when, after the ceremony, pilgrims float Diyas (floral floats with lamps) and incense on the river, commemorating their deceased ancestors. Thousands of people from all round the world do make a point to attend this prayer on their visit to Haridwar (Hara Dwar)
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History of Haridwar (Hara-Dwar)
The city of Haridwar is an ancient city of India, mentioned in several Upanishads and Puranas with different names such as Gangadwara, Mayapuri and Kapilasthana. The city’s name literally meaning the ‘Doorway of / to Gods’, is equally important to both Shaivites (Shiva followers) and Vaishnavites (Vishnu followers). Hence it is known as both Hardwar and Haridwar. Every six years the Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated here with great fervor here.
In Ancient Literature
Haridwar has been mentioned in the Mahabharata, in the Vanaparva chapter, where Sage Dhaumya tells Yudhisthira about the ‘Tirthas’ (pilgrimages) of India, including Haridwar. The next mention is in the fable of famed King Bhagiratha, who brought Ganga down to purify the souls of his 60,000 ancestors in the Satya Yuga. After this, the first dates in regular history come to 322-185 BC, when Haridwar came under Maurya Empire and then Kushana Empire continuously.
In Middle Ages
Well-known Chinese traveler Huan Tsang mentions Haridwar as ‘Mo Yu Lo’ in his travel chronicles dated 629 AD. Next came Timur Lang, the Turkish invader, on 13th January 1399 and invaded the city. Haridwar is also talked about in the 16th century ‘Ain-e-Akbari’ (written during Akbar’s reign) as Mayapuri. The first written evidence of the name Haridwara comes by Thomas Coryant, during Jahangir’s reign.
In Modern Times
After the Britishers arrival in the 1800s, two major dams were created, notably the Bhimgoda Dam in 1840. In 1868, the 'Haridwar Union Municipality' was constituted including the then villages of Mayapur and Kankhal. The first railway track in Haridwar was laid down in 1886, which extended to Dehradun by 1900. The first example of contemporary civilization is the industrial unit of BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited), also know as a ‘Navratna PSU’. Earlier in the state of Uttar Pradesh, it is now the pride of the newly formed Uttarakhand since November 2000 onwards.
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Mythological significance of Haridwar (Hara-Dwar)
Haridwar is also famous by many mythical names like Gangadwar, Mokshadwar, Tapovan and Mayapuri. It is at Haridwar that the Ganga finally emerges into the northern plains. Haridwar has earned fame as being the place which has been blessed by the trinity of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is also one of the major Shaktipeethas. People prefer taking bath on the numerous Ghats built on the river shores. It is said that taking bath here purifies the soul and opens the way for the ultimate freedom, Moksha or Nirvana. Down the ages, Haridwar has purified the mind, the body and the soul. Not only in spiritual or religious terms has Haridwar come up as a major learning centre for arts, science and culture
The place of immortality
Haridwar is also one of the 12 places were the nectar of immortality or ambrosia feel during the churning of the Milk Ocean, known as the Ksherasagar or Keshra Samudra. This mythological connection gives Haridwar (Hara-Dwar) a very important position in the growth of Hinduism. Also it is because of this belief that the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela and the Ardha (Ardh) Kumbha Melas are held here regularly
The Gateway to Chardham
Haridwar stands as the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttarakhand or Uttaranchal. Haridwar is considered to be located at the feet of Shiva's hills – the Shivaliks, therefore Haridwar is a doorway to the Devabhoomi (Dev-Bhoomi), the abode of the Gods
Chardham
Four of the holiest pilgrimages of India
- 1. Bhadrinath or Sri Badrinathji
- 2. Kedārnath or Sri Kedārnathji
- 3. Gangotri
- 4. Yamunotri
Collectively referred to as the Char Dham (or four pilgrimage centres) of Hinduism. For centuries, saints and pilgrims, in their search for the divine, have walked these mystical vales known in ancient Hindu scriptures as 'Kedarkhand'
The story of Bhagirath
According to a popular Hindu mythology Haridwar was known as Kapilasthana. Legend has it that the ancestors of Raja Bhagirath, were consumed by fire at this spot following a curse of Rishi Kapila. For their salvation Raja Bhagirath requested the Ganga(ganges) to descend on Earth
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Spiritual Significance of Haridwar
Haridwar was a town of the Sadhus’, the naked Hindu Ascetic. For many millennia the only residents were the Nathapanthis. The Sraddha rituals and the Pandas, Pujaris who come from the surrounding villages and leave at sunset after finishing their business with their respective Yajamanas (JajMaans). There was an unwritten law that there should be no carnal activities in this Holy city of Haridwar (Hara-Dwar). Gradually this has changed and where once a few hermitages stood has replaced by a district headquarters akin to any modern city
Still, the life line is the river Ganga (Ganges). All activities are directly related to the pilgrims who come to take the holy bath in Ganga. It is generally believed that Haridwar purifies a person religiously and spiritually. In recent times numerous Ashrams and Spiritual schools have revived the ancient glory of spiritual Haridwar. Off course the twin city of Rishikesh remains the spirityual capital of the world
A brief list of the Ashrams in Haridwar is given below
Ashram Soham Ashram
Name of Swamiji Sri Sw. Maheshananda Bhavan Turst
President - Sri Sw. Vivekananda Ji Maharaj
Address Bhupatwal
Phone and Fax
Ashram Yogananda Yogashram
Name of Swamiji Manager - Sri Yogananda Saraswati
Address Sapta Sarover, Ananda Van
Ashram Soham Ashram
Name of Swamiji Sri Sw. Maheshananda Bhavan Turst
President - Sri Sw. Vivekananda Ji Maharaj
Address Bhupatwal
Ashram Umeshwar Dham
Name of Swamiji Sw. Satguru Dev Paramhansa Uma Bharti Ji Maharaj
Address Sapta Sarover Marg
Phone and Fax 426 440, 425 440
Ashram Parmarth Ashram, Sukhdevananda Trust
Name of Swamiji President - Sw. Chinmayanand Saraswati
Manager - Sw. Mangalanand Saraswati
Address Sapta Sarover
Phone and Fax 427 231
Ashram Jai Maa Ashram
Name of Swamiji Founder - 1008 M.M. Sadgurudev Chakravarti
Caretaker - Jyoti Maa Usha Mata Ji Maharaj
Address Motichoor
Phone and Fax 426 099, 426 533
Ashram Vivek Niketan
Name of Swamiji Sw. Vivekanad Ji Maharaj
Address Ananada Van, Sapta Sarover
Ashram Sri Sadhu Guru Kabir Gurukul Ashram
Name of Swamiji Founder - Mahant Sri Gurumukh Sahib Ji
Manager - Sri Dev Narayan Das
Address Sapta Sarover
Ashram Sri Madhwashram
Name of Swamiji Sri Ram Vithala Turst
Address 336, Haripur Kalan, Sapta Sarower
Ashram Sri Maharshi Bhrigu Ashram
Name of Swamiji
Address Sapta Rishi Road
Ashram Hari Sharanam Satsanga Bhavan
Name of Swamiji Manager - Sw. Shailendracharaya Ji
Address Ananada Van, Haripur Kalan
Phone and Fax 425 813
Ashram Sri Bhrama Nivas Ashram
Name of Swamiji President - M.M Parmarth Dev Ji
Address Sapta Sarover Road
Ashram Sri Tulsi Manasa Mandir
Name of Swamiji President - M.M. Sw. Arjun Puri Ji Maharaj ( Manasa Parmarthansa)
Address Sapta Sarover Road
Phone and Fax 422 799, 427 999
Ashram Chitrakuta Akhandashram
Name of Swamiji Manager - Chitrakutapithadhishwar M.M. Sw. Dayananda Ji
Address Sapta Sarover
Phone and Fax
Ashram Shivananda Ashram
Name of Swamiji Founder - Sri 1008 Shivananada Ji Maharaj
Address Sapta Sarover Road Bhupatwala
Phone and Fax
Ashram Siddeshwar Mahadev mandir
Name of Swamiji Sachchidananda Ji Maharaj,
Address Jigyasu Ashram, Sapta Sarover Road
Phone and Fax 425 365
Ashram Lal Dwar Dham Baba Lal Dayal Turst
Name of Swamiji M.M. Mahant Ram Das Prakash Das Ji Maharaj
Address Sapata Sarover Road
Ashram Bharat Sadan, Vriddha Sadhana Ashram Samnvaya Seva Turst
Name of Swamiji Founder - Satya Mitrananada Giri Ji
Address Sapata Sarover Road
Ashram Acharya Vela
Name of Swamiji Jagadguru Bal Swami Ji Maharaj
Address Sapta Sarover Road
Phone and Fax 423 796, 426 879
Ashram Avadhuta Mandal Ashram
Name of Swamiji M.M Sw. Satya Dev Ji
Address Hanuman Mandir Sapta Sarover
Phone and Fax 427 071
Ashram Sri Jai Ram Ashram
Name of Swamiji Br. Bhrama Swarup
Address Bhimgoda
Phone and Fax 426 251, 427 335
Ashram Gurumandal Ashram
Name of Swamiji M.M. Sw. Ram Swarup Ji
Address Near- Dev Pura Chowk
Phone and Fax 426 282
Ashram Bharat Mata Mandir, Samnvaya Seva Turst
Name of Swamiji Sw. Satya Mitrananada Ji
Address Sapta Sarover
Phone and Fax 426 256, 426 981
Ashram Sri Garib Das Ananada Ashram
Name of Swamiji Founder - M.M. Shankarananada Ji Maharaj
Caretaker - Chetananand Ji Maharaj
Address Bhupatwala
Ashram Kundalini Jagaran Atma Darshan Siddha Yoga Peeth
Name of Swamiji Mahendra Pratap Sharma Shaktipatacharya
Address Sapta Sarover Road Bhupatwala
Ashram Veda Niketan Dham Trust
Name of Swamiji Founder - Sw. Ved Bharti
Address Sapta Sarover Road, Bhupatwala
Phone and Fax 426 768, 0161-744 745
Ashram Sri Bhagvan Ashram
Name of Swamiji Founder - M.M. Dr. Sw. Sachchidananda Hari Sakshi
Address Khadkhadi
Ashram Pawan Dham
Name of Swamiji Founder - Sw. Vedantannda Ji
Address Sapta Sarover Road
Phone and Fax 427 400
Ashram Nirdhan Niketan
Name of Swamiji Founder - Sw. Keshvananda Ji
Manager - 108 Sw. Balbramchari Mishan
Address
Ashram Kamal Das Kutiya
Name of Swamiji President - 108 Sri Om Prakash Shastri
Address Sapta Sarover Road Bhupatwala
Phone and Fax 427 858
Ashram Sri Shankar Puri Ashram
Name of Swamiji Founder - Sri 108 Sw. Lakshaman Puri Ji
President - 108 Sw. Baij Nath Puri Ji
Address Khadkhadi
Ashram Sri Ayoddhya Dham
Name of Swamiji Founder - 1008 M.M. Sw. Siya Ram Das Ji
Address Bhupatwala
Phone and Fax
Ashram Sri Swatah Muni Udasin Ashram Charitable Trust
Name of Swamiji Founder - 108 Sw. Suresh Muni Ji
Address Rishikesh Road Road Bhupatwala
Phone and Fax 421 948
Ashram Satsang Seva Ashram
Name of Swamiji Sw. Turiyananada Trust
Manager - Sw. Anchalananda Giri Ji
Address Rishikesh Road Road Bhupatwala
Ashram Santa Mandal Ashram
Name of Swamiji President - M.M. Sw. Jagdish Muni
Address Bhimgoda
Ashram Sri Nirla Dham
Name of Swamiji Founder - Sant Nirla Swami
President - 108 Sw. Sadananda Paramhansa
Address Rishiukesh Road Bhupatwala
Ashram Sri Akhanda Gita Mandir
Name of Swamiji Founder - Sri 1008 Sw. Sadananda Paramansa
Address Rishikesh Road Bhupatwala
Ashram Sri Nijatma Prem Dham
Name of Swamiji Founder - Sri 1008 Sw. Guru Paramanand Ji
Address Rishikesh Road Bhupatwala
Ashram Sri Ram Sharanam, Sri Ram Bhajan Trust
Name of Swamiji Sw. Govindananada Ji
Address 511/A, Sapta Sarpvar Road
Phone and Fax 421 741
Ashram Sri Venkateshwar Dham
Name of Swamiji Sri Raj Guru Seva trust
Address Sapta Sarover Road
Phone and Fax 426 293
MATAJI'S ASHRAMS IN HARIDWAR
Ashram Brahmakumari
Address
Phone 426 434
Ashram Anandamai Maa
Address Daksha Prajapati Kankhal
Phone 426 575
Ashram Tripura Yoga Ashram
Address Kankhal
Phone 425 743
Ashram Basanti Ashram
Address Kankhal
Ashram Santoshi Ashram
Address Kankhal
Phone 426 530
Ashram Mahila Milan Mandir
Address Kankhal
Phone 426 847
Ashram Parvati Ashram
Address Kankhal
Ashram Balabharti Ashram
Address Kankhal
Phone 426 014
Ashram Bhuma Shakti Peeth
Address Sanyas Marg, Kankhal
Ashram Gita Bharti
Address Kankhal
Ashram Sri 1008 Sri Shubha murti Maa
Address Niranjani Akahara Road
Ashram Santoshi Maa Ashram
Address Shravana Nath Nagar,
Ashram Radha Mai Ashram
Address Shravana Nath Nagar,
Ashram Janki Mai Ashram
Address Bhima Goda
Ashram Radha Mai Ashram
Address Bhima Goda
Ashram Sita Mai Ashram
Address Bhima Goda
Ashram Bhrigu Ashram
Address Bhima Goda
Phone 425 231
Ashram Rani Ma Ashram
Address Bhima Goda
Ashram Balavidushi Ashram
Address Bhima Goda
Phone 424 463
Ashram Vedanta Mahila Ashram
Address Bhima Goda
Ashram Umeshwar Dham
Address Bhima Goda
Phone 425 440, 426 440
Ashram Bhakton Ka Ram Dham
Address Bhima Goda
Ashram Ajar Dham
Address Bhima Goda
Phone 426 203
Ashram Mira Krishna Kunj
Address Bhima Goda
Ashram Lalita Yoga Ashram
Address Bhima Goda
Phone 424 254
Ashram Mta Ascchhidananda Ashram
Address Bhima Goda
Phone 427 871
Ashram Ram Kutir
Address Bhima Goda
Phone 427 942
Ashram Navajyoti Ashram
Address Bhima Goda
Phone 424 999
Ashram Akhanda Parama Dham
Address Bhima Goda
Note; the list is not exhaustive and non-verified
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Connectivity
Haridwar is a sacrosanct place in Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal) well-connected to the rest of India by various means of transport. Delhi, the capital of India, is just at 214km from Haridwar. Hardwar’s existence is supposed to be from the days of Pandavas of Mahabharata, so one can safely assume that the place is really ancient. People from all over the world especially travel as pilgrims only to have a dip in the mighty Ganges reputed to remove all their sins. Read below to know the various ways to go to Haridwar
By Air
The city of Haridwar does not have an airport and the nearest one is Jolly Grant (45 Km) of Dehradun. From Dehradun one can take a train / bus or hire a taxi to reach Haridwar. If coming from any city outside India, it will be better to take a flight to Delhi and then reach Haridwar by train or bus
By Road
By road, Haridwar is well connected with major destinations of the region. While NH 58 connects Haridwar with the country's capital - Delhi, NH 72 connects it with Uttarakhand state's capital - Dehradun
By Rail
Going by the train is another good option since the journey is not only comfortable by also proves to be very economical. Haridwar has its own railway station with trains connecting it with major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata besides others. Trains like Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, Ujjaini Express, Mussoorie Express and Doon Express regularly ply between Delhi and Haridwar
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