"Known to the world as Gangadwar, meaning 'Door of the Ganga' the sacred river Ganges leaves the mountains to flow out upon the Indian plains".

Travel to Haridwar to see the unique charm that appears in the evening when the ghats become breath takingly beautiful with thousands of Diyas and Marigold floating in the waters of Ganges.

Haridwar earned fame as being the place which has been blessed by the trinity of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is one of the major Shaktipeeths. Over the ages Haridwar has purified the mind, the body and the soul not only in religious but also spiritual terms. Haridwar has come up as a major learning center for arts, science and culture. This place has even today maintained the Gurukul tradition of teaching.

Pilgrims after travelling Haridwar go to the two great Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath, as Har means Shiva or the deity of Kedarnath, Hari means Vishnu or the deity of Badrinath and Dwar means gate. Haridwar is thus the gateway to the two holy shrines of Shiva and Vishnu. Haridwar is also one of India's Moksapuris, or Seven Sacred Cities, where moksha meaning spiritual liberation can be attained.

The extraordinary Kumbh Mela, held every twelve years, is a revered and religious fair of the Hindus held in Haridwar and is flanked by more than a million devotees. Haridwar is also known for herbal medicine and traditional studies at the Kangri gurukul. Travel to Haridwar to feel the pristine beauty which makes the mind and soul free of the carnal bondages of the world.


Location
214 km northeast of Delhi, Haridwar is situated on a 3 km stretch on the banks of the Ganges River in the foothills of the Shivaliks. Haridwar falls in the the state of Uttaranchal in India.

Climate
During the summers, the temperature usually hangs around 40°C but winters see the mercury dipping to as low as 6°C. So neither of the seasons is too good or ideal for tourists to venture in Haridwar. The best time to travel Haridwar is from September to June.


Major Travel Attractions
Har ki Pauri - Har Ki Pauri or Brahm Kund is the main ghat of Haridwar and a major travel attraction of Haridwar in India. King Vikramaditya built the ghat in memory of his brother Bhatrihari. It is believed that here Lord Vishnu's footprints are imprinted on one of the stones and as such, it is visited regularly by a number of devotees. During the Maha-Kumbh held every 12 years and Ardh Kumbh held after every 6 years, the ghat becomes a special place to bathe in the Ganges. It is believed that having bathed here people can get rid of all their sins.

Mansa Devi Temple - The Mansa Devi Temple is located on the top of the Bilwa Parvat, and provides a magnificent view of Haridwar and the river Ganges. This temple can be reached by either trekking upto 1.5 km or by a chairlift. It is one of the most visited places in Haridwar.

Sapt Rishi Ashram and Sapt Sarovar - Sapt Rishi Ashram is situated at the same place where it is believed that the sacred Ganges divided herself into seven parts. This was done to ensure that the hermits worshipping there would not be disturbed by the flow of Ganges. The sights from here is simply outstanding.

Chandi Devi Temple - It is located on the Neel Parvat on the bank of the River Ganges. According to Hindu mythology this ancient temple was built in the year 1929. During the pilgrimage tour to this ancient temple which is located at a distance of 3 kilometers from the Chandi Ghat in Haridwar, Uttaranchal, visitors can see the very old statue of the main temple deity. According to popular legend the saint Adi Shankaracharya set up the statute of the main deity in the 8th century.


How to Reach
By Air - Air Services are available from Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun to major cities in India. The nearest International airport is in Delhi.
By Rail - Haridwar has a well constructed railway station. This major pilgrimage center has been well connected by trains to all the major towns of India. In fact trains only bring the major load of pilgrims and tourist to Haridwar.
By Road - The National Highway No - 45 crosses through the city and is connected to other cities of the State in an efficient manner. The state transport runs deluxe and semi-deluxe buses on this route for long distance travellers.