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Haridwar
Haridwar, on the right bank of
River Ganga at the feet of Shivalik ranges, an ancient
pilgrim city is one of the holiest places for Hindus.
Haridwar is at the point where the river Ganga spreads over
the northern plain. It lies at the base of the Shivalik
Hills where the Ganga passes through its last gorge and
begins a 2000 km journey across the plains. One of the four
venues for the Kumbh Mela, a festival held once in twelve
years, it is among the seven sacred cities of India. A holy
dip at Har-Ki-Pauri is a must for every devotee. Situated at
the confluence of the rivers, Chandrabhaga and Ganga,
Rishikesh has long been a spiritual centre. Haridwar has
very rich ancient religious and cultural heritage. In the
ancient scriptures of India, this place is well known by the
name of Mayapur. This city is also well known for many other
things apart from the holy river Ganges. Haridwar has
privilege of having IIT at Roorkee, formerly known as
University of Roorkee, founded in 1847 as a first technical
institute of India. The tomb Piran Kaliar of Shabir Shahib
in Roorkee is a living example of religious harmony in India
which is visited by the people of all religious sects from
all over the world. There is another University in the city
called Gurukul Kangri Vishva Vidyalaya apart from the head
quarter of Uttaranchal State Public Service Commission also
being established at Haridwar.
General Information
Area : 12.302 sq.km.
Altitude : 294.70 metres.
Temp (deg C) : Summer - Max 35.6 Min 16.9
Winter - Max 28.3 Min 10.6.
Clothing : Summer- Cotton/Tropical; Winter- Woollens.
Season : Throughout the Year.
Languages Spoken : Garhwali, Hindi, and English.
STD Code : 01334
Access
Haridwar is perhaps one of the most easily accessible
tourist place of India. From all corners of the country,
ways and means are available to reach Haridwar conveniently
in shortest time.
By Road : Haridwar is on National Highway no. 45 .
The distances in km from some cities are - Delhi-214,
Agra-386, Ambala-168, Badrinath-325, Dehradun-52,
Kedarnath-250, Saharanpur-81, Nainital-386. Roadways enquiry
phone number is 01334-227037
By Railway : Connected with all major cities of
India. The major trains are-
4309/4310 Ujjain-Haridwar-Dehradun
2019/2020 Bombay-Haridwar-Dehradun
4041/4042 Delhi-Haridwar-Dehradun
4265/4266 Varanasi-Haridwar-Dehradun
3009/3010 Howrah-Haridwar-Dehradun
2017/2018 Delhi-Haridwar-Dehradun (Shatabdi Ex.)
4213/4214 Allahabad-Haridwar-Dehradun (Link ex.)
5005/5006 Gorakhpur-Haridwar-Dehradun
4711/4712 Sri Ganganagar-Hardwar.
Railway station enquiry no. 131
By Air : The nearest airport is at
Jollygrant(Dehradun) 35 Kms. Airport Tel. No. is
0135-2682052
Local transport such as Cycle Rikshaw, Auto Rikshaw, Tonga,
Tempo(vikram), Taxi are available for moving inside the city
from one place to another. Taxi stand is located just
outside the Railway station and opposite the bus stand.
Places Of Interest
Har ki Pauri : This is the heart of Haridwar. It has
got its name Har ki Pauri as the Hindu God Hari descended to
this place. The glimpses of Ma Ganga have unique
significance here. The Hindus regard this Ghat as the most
sacred Ghat. It is also famous as Brahm kund. As the name
signifies, it is believed that the Hindu God Brahma
descended on this place and from that time this place is
known as Brahm kund. It is this Brahm kund where every Hindu
wishes to take a dip at least once in lifetime to reserve a
place in heaven. Har-ki-Pauri is also the scene of a
memorable ritual every evening. After sunset, before
disciplined ranks of devotees, Aarti is celebrated.
The Ghats : Virtually all devotees who visit Haridwar
have a sacramental bath in the river Ganga. Though
Har-ki-Pauri is the most popular one, yet there are other
bathing ghats too. Bathing ghats, or steps, have been built
leading down to the specially diverted waters of the river
so that devotees can bathe in safety. Dedicated bathers then
immerse themselves off the natural banks of the swift
flowing, and often very chill, Ganga.
Maya Devi Temple : The present temple was built in
1943, but the original temple, reputedly, dates back to the
11th century.
Mansa Devi Temple : Atop a hill, namely Mansa Pahar
overlooking Haridwar, this temple is dedicated to the
goddess who makes wishes true. A ropeway to the heart of
town connects it. A view from the cable car is breath taking
and the up and down journey is well worth even if you are
not a devotee. It is a 5-minute journey each way and the
return trip costs Rs. 20. The temple is open from 8 am to
noon and again from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Gorakhnath Temple : This is an imposing edifice
dedicated to Guru Gorakhnath on the main road leading to
Har-ki-Pauri. As might be expected in such an ancient
pilgrim centre, Haridwar has temples for all devotees, all
shades of religious persuasions under that great umbrella of
faith called Hinduism.
Kankhal Temples : Kankhal Temples are 3 km from
Haridwar; Kankhal is now a part of the city. There are a
number of famous temples here including The Deksheshwar
Temple and the Birbhadreshwar Temple.
Daksha Mahadev Temple - 4 kms : The ancient temple of
Daksha Mahadev is situated in the south Kankhal town .The
mythological story about this place is that King Daksha
Prajapati, father of Sati (Lord Shiva 's first wife )
performed yagya at this place. Daksha Prajapati did not
invite Lord Shiva and Sati felt insulted . Therefore she
burnt herself in the yagya Kund . This incident provoked the
disciples and followers of Mahadev who killed King Daksha,
but later on Lord Mahadev brought him back to life. Daksha
Mahadev temple is thus a tribute to this legend .
Chandi Devi Temple : This temple is 6 km. from
Haridwar on the top of a hill called the Neel Parvat, on the
other side of the river Ganga. The story goes that
Chanda-Munda the army chief of the demons Shumbh-Nishumbh
were killed by Goddess Chandi hence the name Chandi Devi. It
also said that Adi Shankaracharya established the original
statute of Chandi in 8th century AD. The King of Kashmir,
Suchat Singh, constructed the temple in 1929 AD. Chandi Devi
is a three km trek from the Chandi Ghat. Chandi Devi Temple
is now accessible by a ropeway also, by the name of Chandi
Devi Udankhatola, which starts near Gauri Shankar Temple.
The length of Ropeway is 740 m and height 208 m. There is a
dense forest on the other side of the hill inhabited by
elephants and other wild animals.
Gurukul Kangri University - 4 Kms : It is situated on
the Haridwar-Jwalapur bypass road . It is an old institution
known for following a unique system of education in India.
The Ved Mandir Museum with archaeological exhibits in
display can also be seen.
Bhimgoda Tank : This tank is at a distance of about 1
km from Harki Pairi. It is said that while Pandavas were
going to Himalayas through Haridwar, Bhim made this tank
with the blow of his knee.
Sapt Rishi Ashram & Sapt Sarovar - 7 kms : It is said
that Ganga had split herself in seven currents at this place
so that the Sapt(seven) Rishis worshipping there would not
be disturbed.
Parad Shivling - 2 kms : Situated in Harihar Ashram,
Kankhal. Shivling weighing about 150 kg and Rudraksha tree
are main attractions here.
Piran Kaliar : The tomb Piran Kaliar of Shabir Shahib
in Roorkee is a living example of religious harmony in India
which is visited by the people of all religious sects from
all over the world. 'URS' festival is organised every year
on the holy dargah in summer.
Other Places of Interest
Parmath Ashram, Canal Centenary Bridge, Guru Gorakhnath
Mandir, Ramkrishna Mission, Manav Kalyan Ashram, Anand Mayee
Ashram, Sati Kund, Hanuman Mandir, Sri Guru Sri Chandji ka
Gurudwara, Sri Ayappa Temple, Bilkeshwar Mahadev, Arya
Banprasth Ashram, Gauree Shankar, Gita Bhavan, Neeleshwar
Temple, Sadhubela.
Accommodation
Single Double
Hotel Midtown,
Railway Road, Haridwar
Tel: 227507, 223674 Fax: 226049 A/C
Non-A/C Rs.950/-
Rs.650 Rs.1250/-
Rs.700/- (EP)
(EP)
Hotel Classic Residency
Haridwar
Tel: 228005/06/07
Fax: 220374
A/C
Non-A/C Single
1500/-
1200/- Double
1700/
1400/- Suite
2500/-
Haveli Hari Ganga – Tariff on Request
Ram Ghat, Haridwar
Tel – 9810299733 / 9891194894
Modi Inn Ramakrishna(**)
Railway Road,Haridwar- 249407
Tel: 202715, Fax: 221715
Email: modihotels@hotmail.com
A/C
N/AC
1000/-
800/-
Sagar Ganga Resorts
Niranjani Akhade Road,
Mayapur, Haridwar
Tel – 222115 / 228478, Fax: 228478 A/C
1250/-
750/-
OTHER HOTELS
Hotel Mansarovar International
Hotel Vikrant Tel - 226343
Upper Road Tel - 226501
Hotel Holiday Inn Tel - 226037
Gurudev Tel - 227110
Hotel Raj Tel - 227939
Hotel Arti Tel - 227456
Hotel Alka Tel - 227244
Hotel Kailash Tel - 227789
Hari Hotel Tel - 227457
Hotel Sahni Tel - 227906
Hotel Deep Tel - 226433
Hotel Panama Tel - 227720
Hotel Raj Deluxe Tel - 227755
Jaipur Hotel Tel - 227217
Anand Niwas Shravan Nath Ghat Tel - 227067
Hotel Suvidha Tel - 227423
Arya Niwas Hotel Tel - 226272
Hotel Mansarovar Complex Tel - 226501
Rama Hotel Tel - 226475
Hotel Navin Tel - 226268
Basudev Madras Hotel Tel - 227654
Hotel Relax Tel - 227773
Royal Hotel Tel - 226315
Samrat Hotel Tel - 226433
Shanti Niketan Har-Ki-Pauri Tel - 226166.
Hotel Ashok Tel - 226788.
To Top
OTHER ACCOMMODATION
Single Double
Tourist Bungalow
Belawala, Haridwar Air-cooled
Tel - 226379/223787 A/C
Rs.1000
Rs.500 Rs.1200
Rs.600 (EP)
(EP)
Rahi Motel (GMVN)
Haridwar
(Opp. to Railway Godown)
Near Bus Station, Family Room
Tel - 228686, 226430 A/C
Dlx
Rs.1400
Rs.660 (EP)
Canal Inspection House, Mayapur, Tel - 226546
Zilla Parishad Inspection House, Near Bus Stand
PWD Inspection Bungalow, Bhimgoda
Railway Retiring Rooms
Dharamshalas:
Kali Kamli
Brindavan
Basantidevi
Dhandevi
Karnatak
Bholagiri Ashram
Basanta Devi
Madrasi
Karorimal
Manki Bai
Bikaner Wadi
Narsingh Bhavan
Bhatinda Wali
Jaipur
Excursions
RISHIKESH - 24 KMS : Rishikesh is one of the
best-located pilgrimage centers along the right bank of the
Ganga. The holy river emerging from high mountains not far
from here, runs deep and silent through the thickly wooded
hills of the terai that straddle this region. A breathtaking
experience of natural beauty and undiscovered wildlife await
here. Not to mention the peace and tranquility of a
landscape associated with 'munis' and meditation. Today
Rishikesh has become a center for learning and research in
yoga and meditation- the renowned Indian methods for mental
and physical health. The week-long International Yoga
festival which attracts participation from all across the
world is held here annually in the month of February on the
banks of serene Ganga.
RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK(CHILLA)-10 KMS : Haridwar is
also a popular destination for nature and adventure lovers.
The Rajaji National Park is about 820 sq. km. in area;
attracts wildlife lovers with its pristine scenic beauty and
rich bio diversity. Three sanctuaries of the Shivalik range
of western U.P. -Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla were
amalgamated into a large protected area and named Rajaji
National Park in year 1983It has 23 species of mammals and
315 avifauna species. One may watch a herd of elephants
roaming majestically in the jungle or may find oneself
excited by wildlife of many kinds including tigers, leopard,
jungle cat, himalayan yellow throated marten, samber,
cheetal, barking deer, wild boar, langoor, ghural, sloth
beer, king cobra, woodpecker etc. The river shelters fish in
abundance. For further information on the subject, one may
contact the Director's office, 5/1 Ansari Marg,
Dehradun-248001, Phone no. 0135-621669. They have got their
website too- www.rajajinationalpark.com
SURESHWARI DEVI - 10 KMS : This is a temple of
Goddess Durga. Situated in the peaceful forest area of
Rajaji National park.
PIRAN KALIER-23 KMS : The 'Dargah' of Hazrat Makhdum
Allauddin Ali Ahamed 'Sabir' on the outskirts of Roorkee
town is a worth-visit-place for every visitor. It is
situated towards the south of Haridwar. This place is one of
the living examples of unity between the Hindu and Muslim
religions. Famed for its mystical powers that fulfill the
desires of the devout, the Dargah is visited by millions of
devotees from all religions from India and abroad. The Urs
is celebrated at this Dargah every year, from the first day
of sighting the moon to the sixteenth day during the
Rabeeull month of the Islamic calendar.
DEHRADUN - 54 KMS : A place liked by many retired
civil and defense officers to settle down, now the capital
city of newly formed Uttaranchal state is known for many
central govt. institutes of national importance and is also
a place worth visiting.
KAUDILAYA - 62 KMS : The place is very popular for
rafting loving tourists. Known for turbulent white water.
MUSSOORIE - 89 KMS : The queen of hills, the city
with Mall is an ideal hill station.
ASHRAMS AND YOGA
CENTRES
Shanti Kunj, Parmarth Niketan, Prem Nagar Ashram,
Akhandparam Dham, Maa Anand Mai Ashram, Yoga Dham, Arya
Nagar, Maha Prabhu Yoga and Natural Medical Centre, Yoga
Study Centre.
 
For further
information log on to http://gov.ua.nic.in/uttaranchaltourism/index.html |