One of the most sacred cities of Hindus, Haridwar (193 metres) lies at the foothills of Shivalik range, in the Sahranpur district of Uttaranchal. It is the important entry point for Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.

The main city of Haridwar, lying on the banks of River Ganga, is 2 km from the nearest rail head. It attracts a huge number of tourists, nature-lovers, devote pilgrims, sages etc every year. The town is abuzz forever with shops and markets and busy bathing ghats- anmed Har-Ki-Pairi (The Footsteps of God). It is believed that a dip here will wash away all your sins. To ensure that they do not get swept away, the pilgrims hold on to solid chains. Be sure to arrive at the ghat before sunset to witness the river worship ceremony or "Ganga aarti", when floating earthern lights and garlands in small floatable trays drift downstream. The illumination on water surface looks breathtakingly beautiful.

The pilgrim-town is scattered with dharmasalas. Accomodation ranges from budget hotels to top-end places. Haridwar is especially crowded during the pujas, when not only the Bengalis, but tourists from other places of India flock together. So it is always advisable to book a room in advance. Travel agents have musroomed all over the place. Haridwar is the favourite halt of tourists returning from kedarBadri and Gangotri-Yamunotri etc.

For a sight-see of the town, take the ropeway from the halt near Ratna Cinema, after crossing the market lying to the left of Har-Ki-Pairi. The 600 metre ropeway will take you to Manasadevi Temple, lying at an attitude of 175 m, atop Vilva Parbat. The town looks as pretly as a picture, crisscrossed by thr river Ganga, from the hill-top. The mainstream of Ganga flows to the south-eastern side of the city. 6 km from Haridwar lies Chandi Temple, on get another hill-top. It can also be accessed via ropeway. The ticket for both the places ropeway. The ticket, for both the places ropeway ride can be bought from any one place, you will enjoy the Neeldhara Bird Sanctuary situated near the LaljiwalaDam, the father of Sati. The place where Sati lay down her life to ease the pangs of her insult perpretrated by her father by not inviting her husband to the "yajna" (sacrifice) lies close by and it called "Satikunda". The ashram of Maa Anandmoyee is situated at a stone's throw distance. Besides Pavanadham 3 km away and Saptarshi ashrama 5 km away, there are numerous temples in Haridwar. A day's trip in a tonga or an auto-rickshaw will suffice for a sight-see of these temples.

The deciduos trees of Chilla Reserve Forest (10 km away) will surely charm you. The forest, actually a part of Rajaji National Park is the home of elephants, deer, neelgai, tiger, cheetah etc. The park is open from November 15 to June 15. You can also arrange for a conducted tour of Hrishikesh, Dehradun, Mussourie and Kempty waterfalls etc.

How to go

There are direct trains from almost all over India to Haridwar. It is a 5 hour bus journey from Delhi. You can reach or road from Benaras or Lucknow.

Accomodation

Hotels of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Haridwar : Rahi Motel ( 0133) (ph-426430/ 428686), at Hrishikesh, there is Tourist Resthouse (ph-0135-433002), at Muni-ki-Reti and Hrishikesh there is Tourist Resthouse (ph-0135-430373). For reservation of the above mentioned places contact :

Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam,
74/1, Rajpur Road, Dehradun-248001
Phone : (ph-0135-746817,749308,747898,748478)
Fax : (ph-0135-786847)
E-mail : gmvn @ gmvnl.com, gmvn @ sancharnet.in

Private hotels abound in Haridwar:

Rs 600-700 Kailash (ph-427798), Teerth, Manas Sarovar (ph-426501), Classic Regency (ph-428005) etc. Rs 200-600 Gurudev (ph-427110), kailash (ph-427789), Raj Deluxe (ph-427753), Ashoka (ph- 426788), Navin (ph-426268), Shantinketan (ph-426166).

Some of the dharmasalas are Kalikamli, Bhola giri, Jaypur, Vrindavan, Aryasamaj, Karnataka etc.

STD Code of Haridwar : 0133

Accomodation at Hrishikesh

Rs 600-700

includes Ganga View (ph-401081), AkashGanga (ph-40870), Natraj (ph-431099), Basera (ph- 432138), Gangakinare (ph-431658) etc. Budget places-to-stay like Menoka, Ashoka, Kailash, Green, Tapovan etc are also there. Some dharmasalas at Hrishikesh include Kalikamli, Shivanand Ashram, Paramartha Niketan, Geeta Bhavan, Punjab and Sindh Kshetra.

Did you know?

Earlier, Haridwar was called Mayapuri, and prior to it- Kapilasthan. It is believed that the sage Kapila used to live here, and hence the name.

Remember

Don't try to be brave by trying to bathe in the fast-flowing Ganga without holding on to the chain. The swift current will sweep you away.