HARIDWAR

Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places to Hindus and a holy city in the Haridwar District of Uttarakhand. Dwar of Hari or Gateway to God, 'Hari' meaning god and 'dwar' meaning gate is the meaning.

Brahma Kund at Har-ki-Pauri is the spot where literally, "footsteps of the Lord," and symbolically the footprints of the Amrita, the most sacred ghat of Haridwar.

Associated with both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, Haridwar is among the seven sacred cities of India. It is also one of the four venues for the Kumbh Mela, held in its magnitude every twelve years. Essentially a religious centre which holds promise of salvation for devotees, Haridwar is also a centre of herbal medicine, and traditional studies at Gurukul Kangri. Many places of scenic beauty on the outskirts of the town are present.

Haridwar presents Indian culture and civilization and a paradise for nature lovers. Kapilsthan, Gangadwar and Mayapuri variously mentioned in mythology. Haridwar is the entry point to the Char Dham .

In Hindu traditions, the 'Panch Tirth' (Five Pilgrimages) within Haridwar, are Gangadwara (Har-ki-pauri), Kushwart (Ghat), Kankhal, Bilwa Teerth (Mansa Devi) and Neel Parvat (Chandi Devi).