India Tourism » Cities » Haridwar Travel

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 city has one of the "navratna PSUs of India" i.e BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals India Ltd.). 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. Besides this, Kumbh fair is organized at the interval of every 12 years in this city in which about 1 crore pilgrims from all over the world participate.

"Among the many pilgrimages that dot the length of the Ganga, Haridwar ranks among the most holy in the land " Accroding to Hindu mythology Haridwar was known as Kapilsthan.

Lagend has it that the ancestors of Raja Bhagirath, were consumed by fire at this spot following a cused of rishi Kapil. For their salvation Raja Bhhagirath requested the ganga to descend on Earth.

Haridwar is also famous by the names of gangadwar, Mokshadwar, Tapovan and Mayapuri. It is at Haridwar that the Ganga finaly energes into the northern plains.

The Kumbh and the Ardh Kumbh melas also take place here every 12 th & 6th year.

Places of Religious Interest:
The Chandi Devi Temple
Maya Devi Temple
Har- Ki- Pauri the Sacred Bathing Ghat
Vilvkeshwar Mahadev
Doodhadhari Temple
Vaishnav Devi Temple
Sapt Sarovar
Shahi Gurudwara
Mansa Devi Temple
Daksha Mahadev temple
Bhimgoda Tank
Pawan Dham
Sureshwari Devi Temple
Seraal Ashrams form excellent religious excursion sites.

FACILITIES
Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, 42 km from Haridwar. Northern Railways Broad & metre gauge lines connect Haridwar to major centres in the country. Haridwar, on state Highway No. 45 is well connected to all major centres in the region

The upper reaches of Garhwal are connected by bus services of Garhwal Motor Operators Union, Tehri Garhwal Yatayat service etc