Haridwar

Etymology

The modern name of the town has two spellings: Haridwar and Hardwar. Each of these names has its own connotation.

In Sanskrit, the liturgical language of Hinduism, Hari means Vishnu, while dvāra means "gateway". So, Haridwar translates to "The Gateway to Vishnu". It earns this name because it is typically the place where pilgrims start their journey to visit a prominent temple of Vishnu: Badrinath Temple.

Similarly, Hara could also mean "Shiva". Hence, Hardwar could stand for "Gateway to Shiva". Hardwar is also a typical place for pilgrims to start their journey in order to reach Mount Kailash, Kedarnath, the northernmost Jyotirlinga and one of the sites of the smaller Char Dham pilgrimage circuit – all important places for worship for Hindus.

According to legend, it was in Haridwar that goddess Ganga descended when Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. The River Ganga, after flowing for 253 kilometres (157 mi) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Gangetic Plain for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára.

In the annotations to her poetical illustration Hurdwar, a Place of Hindoo Pilgrimage, Letitia Elizabeth Landon provides information on this name derivation, and also the story of the supposed origin of the 'River Ganges'. The accompanying plate is engraved from a painting by Samuel Prout.

In sacred writings, it has been differently specified as "Kapilasthan", "Gangadwar" and "Mayapuri".

History

In the scriptures, Haridwar has been variously mentioned as Kapilasthana, Gangadvāra and Mayapuri. It is also an entry point to the Char Dham (the four main centres of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand viz, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri).

In the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata, where sage Dhaumya tells Yudhishthira about the tirthas of India, Gangadvāra, i.e., Haridwar and Kankhal, have been referred to, the text also mentions that Sage Agastya did penance (an act showing sorrow or regret for sin) here, with the help of his wife, Lopamudra (the princess of Vidharba).

Sage Kapila is said to have an ashram here, giving it its ancient name, Kapila or Kapilasthana.

The legendary king, Bhagiratha, the great-grandson of the Suryavamsha King Sagara (an ancestor of Rama), is said to have brought the river Ganges down from heaven, through years of penance in Satya Yuga, for the salvation of 60,000 of his ancestors from the curse of the Sage Kapila. This is a tradition continued by thousands of devout Hindus, who bring the ashes of their departed family members, in hope of their salvation. Vishnu is said to have left his footprint on the stone that is set in the upper wall of Har Ki Pauri, where the Ganges touches it at all times.

Haridwar came under the rule of the Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE), and later under the Kushan Empire (c. 1st–3rd centuries). Archaeological findings have proved that terra cotta culture dating between 1700 BCE and 1200 BCE existed in this region. The first modern era written evidence of Haridwar is found in the accounts of a Chinese traveller, Huan Tsang, who visited India in 629 CE. during the reign of King Harshavardhana (590–647) records Haridwar as 'Mo-yu-lo', the remains of which still exist at Mayapur, a little to the south of the modern town. Among the ruins are a fort and three temples, decorated with broken stone sculptures, he also mentions the presence of a temple, north of Mo-yu-lo called 'Gangadvara', Gateway of the Ganges.

Haridwar came under the rule of the Delhi Sultanate in 1206.

The city also fell to the Central Asian conqueror Timur Lang (1336–1405) on 13 January 1399.

Law

By law, no meat, fish, & eggs are sold within the city. The reason for such prohibition is to maintain the religious purity and holiness of the pilgrimage city.

Geography and climate

The Ganges emerges from the mountains to touch the plains. The water in the river Ganges is mostly clear and generally cold, except in the monsoon, during which soil from the upper regions flows down into it.

The river Ganges flows in a series of channels separated from each other called aits, most of which are well wooded. Other minor seasonal streams are Ranipur Rao, Pathri Rao, Ravi Rao, Harnaui Rao, Begham Nadi etc. A large part of the district is forested, and Rajaji National Park is within the bounds of the district. Rajaji is accessible through different gates; the Ramgarh Gate and Mohand Gate are within 25 km (16 mi) of Dehradun, while the Motichur, Ranipur and Chilla Gates are just about 9 km (5.6 mi) from Haridwar. Kunaon Gate is 6 km (3.7 mi) from Rishikesh, and Laldhang gate is 25 km (16 mi) from Kotdwara.

Haridwar district, covering an area of about 2,360 km2 (910 sq mi), is in the southwestern part of Uttarakhand state of India.

Haridwar is situated at a height of 314 m (1,030 ft) from the sea level, between Shivalik Hills in the North and Northeast and the Ganges River in the South.

Climate

Temperatures:

Summers: 25 to 44 °C (77 to 111 °F)

Winters: −1 to 24 °C (30 to 75 °F)

Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar

For centuries when Hindu ancestors visited the holy town of Haridwar for any purpose, it has been a custom to go to the Pandit who is in charge of one's family register and update the family's family tree with details of marriages, births, and deaths from ones extended joint family.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Haridwar district has population of 1,890,422 (2011). In 2001, the population was 1,447,187.

Haridwar city has a 310,562 population (2011). Males constitute 54% of the population and females, 46%. Haridwar has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 64%. In Haridwar, 12% of the population is under six years of age.

Religious sites

"Haridvāre Kuśāvarte Bilvake Nīla parvate

snatvā Kanakhale tīrth punarjanma na vidyate"

In Hindu traditions, the 'Panch Tirth' (Five Pilgrimages) within Haridwar, are "Gangadwar" (Har ki Pauri), Kushawart (Ghat in Kankhal), Bilwa Tirtha (Mansa Devi Temple) and Neel Parvat (Chandi Devi Temple). There are several other temples and ashrams located in and around the city, a list of which can be found below. Also, alcohol and non-vegetarian food is not permitted in Haridwar.

Har Ki Pauri

This ghat was constructed by King Vikramaditya (1st century BCE) in memory of his brother Bharthari. It is believed that Bharthari came to Haridwar and meditated on the banks of the holy Ganges. When he died, his brother constructed a ghat in his name, which later came to be known as Har Ki Pauri. The most sacred ghat within Har Ki Pauri is Brahmakund. The evening prayer (Aarti) is offered at dusk to Goddess Ganga at Har Ki Pauri (steps of God Hara or Shiva). A spectacle of sound and colour is seen when after the ceremony, pilgrims float Diyas (floral floats with lamps) and incense on the river, commemorating their deceased ancestors. Thousands of pilgrims from all around the world make a point to attend this prayer on their visit to Haridwar.

On the night of Dussehra or a few days before that, the Ganga Canal is dried in Haridwar to clean the riverbed. The water is restored on Diwali. It is believed that on Dussera Maa Ganga goes to her father's house and returns after Bhai Duj or Bhai Phota. It is for this reason that the waters in the Ganga canal in Haridwar are partially dried on the night of Dussehra and the waters are restored on the day of Bhai Duj or Bhai Phota.

Chandi Devi Temple

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Chandi, who sits atop the 'Neel Parvat' on the eastern bank of the river Ganges. It was constructed in 1929 CE by the king of Kashmir, Suchat Singh. Skanda Purana mentions a legend, in which Chanda-Munda, the Army Chief of a local Demon Kings Shumbha and Nishumbha were killed by goddess Chandi here, after which the place got the name, Chandi Devi.

It is believed that the main statue was established by the Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. The temple is a 3 km (1.9 mi) trek from Chandighat and can also be reached through a ropeway. The temple's present structure was built in 1929 AD by Suchat Singh, a ruler of Kashmir.

The temple had an 800-year-old ritual animal sacrifice tradition wherein a goat was sacrificed on the Saptmi to Goddess Chandi. In 2015, the tradition was stopped by the head priest citing lowered acceptance by locals.

Mansa Devi Temple

The temple of Goddess Mansa Devi is situated at the top of the Bilva Parvat, literally means 'goddess fulfilling desires'. The main temple houses two idols of the Goddess, one with three mouths and five arms, while the other one has eight arms.

Maya Devi Temple

Haridwar was previously known as Mayapuri which is because of the Goddess Maya Devi. Dating to the 11th century CE, this ancient temple of Maya Devi, the Adhishthatri Devi (Patron Goddess) of Haridwar, is considered one of the Siddhapithas and is said to be the place where the heart and navel of Goddess Sati had fallen. It is one of few ancient temples still standing in Haridwar, along with Narayani Shila temple and Bhairav Temple.

Makarvahini Temple

Located close to the Birla Ghat, near Laltarao Pul is a temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. This temple was established by Jayandra Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti, a few decades ago. The temple, built in South-Indian style, has a traditional custom of decorating the goddess with vegetables and dry fruits, giving her the title of Shakumbhari on Ashtami Pooja, the eighth day of Navratri.

Kankhal

The ancient temple of Daksha Mahadev also known as Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple has situated in the south Kankhal town. According to Hindu texts, King Daksha Prajapati, father of Dakshayani, Shiva's first wife, performed a yagña, to which he deliberately did not invite Shiva. When she arrived uninvited, he was further insulted by the king, seeing which Sati felt infuriated and self-immolated herself in the yagna kund. King Daksha was later killed by Virabhadra, born out of Shiva's anger. Later the king was brought to life and given a goat's head by Shiva. Daksha Mahadev temple is a tribute to this legend.

Sati Kund, another historical heritage is situated in the Kankhal. Legend has it that Sati immolated herself in this kund.

Bharat Mata Mandir

Bharat Mata Mandir is a multi-storey temple dedicated to Bharat Mata (Mother India). Bharat Mata Mandir was inaugurated on 15 May 1983 by Indira Gandhi on the banks of the river Ganges. It is situated adjacent to the Samanvaya Ashram, and stands eight stories tall to a height of 180 feet (55 m). Each floor depicts an era in the Indian history, from the days of Ramayana until India's independence.

On the first floor is the statue of Bharat Mata. The second floor, Shur Mandir, is dedicated to the well-renowned heroes of India. The third floor Matri Mandir is dedicated to the achievements of India's revered women, such as Radha, Mira, Savitri, Draupadi, Ahilya, Anusuya, Maitreyi, Gargi etc. The great saints from various religions, including Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism are featured on the fourth floor Sant Mandir. The assembly hall with walls depicting symbolic coexistence of all religions practised in India and paintings portraying history in various provinces is situated on the fifth floor. The various forms of the Goddess Shakti can be seen on the sixth floor, whilst the seventh floor is devoted to all incarnations of Vishnu. The eighth floor holds the shrine of Shiva.

The temple was built under the former Shankaracharya Maha-Mandleshwar Swami Satyamitranand Giri Maharaj. Since the inception of the Swami Satyamitranand foundation in 1998, several other branches have been opened, namely in Renukut, Jabalpur, Jodhpur, Indore, and Ahmedabad. It is presently under The Junapeethadheesh, Acharya Shree Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj.

Piran Kaliyar

Piran Kaliyar Sharif, built by Ibrahim Lodhi, a ruler of Delhi, is the 'Dargah' of Hazrat Alauddin Sabir Kaliyari, a 13th-century Sufi saint of the Chishti Order (also known as Sarkar Sabir Pak), in Kaliyar village, 7 km (4.3 mi) from Roorkee. It is visited by devotees from all over the world during the annual 'Urs' festival, which is celebrated from the 1st day of sighting the moon to the 16th day of Rabi al-awwal month in the Islamic calendar.

Other temples and ashrams

Dudhadhari Barfani Temple, part of the ashram of Dudhadhari Barfani Baba, was constructed from shining white marble and honours Rama-Sita and Hanumana.Sureshvari Devi Temple, a temple dedicated to the goddess Sureshwari, is situated in the middle of Rajaji National Park, and thus is only accessible with permission from forest rangers. Pawan Dham is a modern temple made entirely of glass pieces, which is now a tourist destination.

One of the most sacred temples in Haridwar is Tirupati Balaji Mandir. The temple, which is built in the Dravidian architectural style, is located 4.5 km (2.8 mi) away from Har Ki Pauri. It is a major pilgrimage centre of Haridwar in Uttarakhand. The image of the temple deity represents both Vishnu and Shiva ( Vishnu is considered as the preserver whereas Shiva is considered as the destroyer in Hindu religion).

Sapt Rishi Ashram at Sapt Sarovar, near the bank of the Ganga, is a meditation and yoga centre. The Ashram, established in 1943 by Guru Goswami Dutt, provides lodging, meals and free education for poor kids. Sapt Rishi Ashram, as its name would suggest, was the place where seven sages, namely Kashyapa, Vashisht, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jamadagi, Bharadwaja and Gautam, meditated. As per the mythological records, when all the sages were meditating, they were disturbed by the gushing sound of river Ganges. Annoyed and irritated due to sound, all seven of them were trapped in the flow of the river. Later, Ganges River splits into seven water streams so there is less noise. Those seven river streams are now known as Sapt Sarovar, and the point where the seven sages meditated is called as Saptrishi Ashram.

In the Harihar Ashram, Kankhal, the Parad Shivalinga (Mercury Shivalinga) weighing about 150 kg and a Rudraksha tree are the main attractions for pilgrims and tourists. The Ramanand Ashram, situated in the Shravan Nath Nagar district near the railway station, is the main ashram of Ramanand Sampraday in Haridwar. The Uma Maheswar Sanyas Ashram lies on the banks of the Ganga, in Bairagi Camp; while the Anandamayi Maa Ashram is located in Kankhal, one of five sub-cities of Haridwar, and houses the samadhi shrine of Sri Anandamoyi Ma (1896–1982), a noted saint of India. Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Kankhal was established in 1901 by a monastic disciple of Swami Vivekananda. Shantikunj is the headquarters of the spiritual and social organisation All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP) established by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. Located six km (3.7 mi) from Haridwar railway station, at the bank of the Ganges and under the Shivalik Himalayas, it is a place of attraction for tourists as well as seekers of spiritual guidance.

Seven holy places (Sapta Puri)

"Ayodhyā Mathurā Māyā Kāśī Kāñcī Avantikā

Purī Dvārāvatī caiva saptaitā mokṣadāyikāḥ" – Garuḍa Purāṇa I XVI .14

Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kasi, Kanchi, Avantika and Dwaraka are the seven holy places.

Note the use of the puranic name 'Maya' for Haridwar. As also the inter-change usage of Puri and Dwaraka.

The Garuḍa Purāṇa enumerates seven cities as the giver of Moksha. Haridwar is said to be one of the seven most holy Hindu places (=Kṣetra) in India. A Kṣetra is sacred ground, a field of active power, a place where Moksha, final release can be obtained.

Culture

Cuisine

In 2002 meat sales were banned in the main city of Haridwar. The ban was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2004. No meat, fish, or eggs are sold within the city limits.

Educational institutions

Acharyakulam

Situated in Haridwar-Delhi highway, it is the part of Patanjali group. 'Acharyakulam' was inaugurated on 26 April 2013. This is a residential institution.

Gurukula Kangri University

Situated in Kankhal, at the banks of the river Ganges, Gurukul Kangri University is one of the oldest Universities of India, it was founded in 1902 by Swami Shraddhananda (1856–1926), according to the tenets of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj. It has also been visited by British Trade Union leader Charles Freer Andrews and British prime minister, Ramsay MacDonald, to study the unique Gurukul based education system. Here Ancient Vedic and Sanskrit literature, Ayurveda, Philosophy are part of the curriculum besides Modern Sciences and Journalism. Its 'Archaeological Museum', (established 1945) houses some rare statues, coins, paintings, manuscripts, and artefacts, starting from Indus Valley civilisation culture (c. 2500–1500 BCE). Mahatma Gandhi visited the campus three times, and stayed in its sprawling and serene campus for extended periods of time, most notably during the 1915 Kumbh mela, followed by a visit in 1916, when on 20 March, he spoke at Gurukul Anniversary.

Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya

Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya was established in 2002 by the act of the Uttarakhand Government is a fully residential university. Run by Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj, Haridwar (headquarters of All World Gayatri Pariwar), it provides various degree, diploma and certificate courses in areas like Yogic Science, Alternative Therapy, Indian Culture, Tourism, Rural Management, Theology, Spiritual Counseling, etc. It also provides courses through distance learning.

Uttarakhand Sanskrit University

Set up by the Government of Uttarakhand, the university is dedicated to studies of ancient Sanskrit scriptures and books. It also has a curriculum covering ancient Hindu rituals, culture, and tradition, and boasts of a building inspired by ancient Hindu architecture style.

Chinmaya Degree College

Situated in Shivalik Nagar, 10 km (6.2 mi) from Haridwar city. one of the science colleges in Haridwar.

Sheel Institute

Situated in Shivalik Nagar, 10 km (6.2 mi) from Haridwar city. one of the Best Computer Institute in Haridwar. Sheel Institute Branches is Ranipur More, Navoday Nagar & Shivalik Nagar

HEC PG College

It was established in the year 2002. HEC College provides Undergraduate, Postgraduate, PG diploma courses. The courses are in the field of commerce, Management, Science, Lib. Science and Arts and it is affiliated to HNB Garhwal University, Sri Nagar, Garhwal, and Sri Dev Suman Uttarakhand University, Badshahithol, Tehri Garhwal.

Other colleges

There are two State Ayurvedic College & Hospital in Haridwar, one is Rishikul State Ayurvedic College (has PG level courses) and the other is Gurukul Ayurvedic College.

Other schools

Delhi Public School, Haridwar

The Wisdom Global School, Haridwar

Kendriya Vidyalaya, B.H.E.L. Haridwar

DAV Central Public School, Jagjeetpur

Achievers Home Public School, Jagjeetpur

Children Foundation Academy, Haridwar

Shivedale School, Jagjeetpur

BML Munjal Green Medows School, Bahadarabad, Haridwar

Important areas within the city

B.H.E.L., Ranipur Township

The campus of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) is spread across an area of 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi). The main factory consists of two divisions: the Heavy Electricals Equipment Plant (HEEP), and the Central Foundry Forge Plant (CFFP). Together they employ over 8000 skilled employees. The campus is divided into six sectors providing excellent residential, schooling and medical facilities.

Bahadrabad – 7 km (4.3 mi)

It is located on the Haridwar–Delhi National Highway at a distance of 7 km (4.3 mi) from Haridwar. Close by, in village Pathri, lies the Bhimgoda Barrage built on the Upper Ganges Canal in 1955. It also has a block development office responsible for many developed villages (e.g. Khedli, Kisanpur Rohalki, Atmalpur Bongla, Sitapur, Alipur, Salempur).

SIDCUL – 5 km (3.1 mi)

A massive industrial area, spread over 2,034 acres (823 ha), developed by State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand (SIDCUL), a state government body. With the arrival of big enterprises like ITC, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Dabur, Mahindra & Mahindra, Havells and Kirby, SIDCUL is set to develop into another industrial township within the city. three km (1.9 mi) away from the Delhi-Hardwar National Highway, SIDCUL lies adjacent to the BHEL Township, an important Public Sector township.

Shivalik Nagar

One of the newest and biggest residential areas of Haridwar. It is divided into various clusters. It was originally developed as a residential colony for BHEL employees, but with the advent of SIDCUL, population and financial activity has grown rapidly in the area due to its proximity.

Transport

Haridwar is headquarters of Haridwar district and it has good connectivity with the other towns of the district and the state.

Road

National Highway 58, between Delhi and Mana Pass passes through Haridwar connecting it with Ghaziabad, Meerut, Muzzafarnagar, Roorkee and Badrinath and National Highway 74 originating from Haridwar connects it with Najibabad, Kashipur, Kichha, Nagina, Pilibhit and Bareilly. Haridwar is well connected to all major cities by bus. Buses from Delhi to Haridwar are available daily, more than 150 buses are available.

Rail

The Haridwar Railway Station located in Haridwar is under the control of the Northern Railway zone of the Indian Railways. It has direct links the major cities of India such as Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Gorakhpur, Muzaffarpur, Madgaon, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Patna, Gaya, Varanasi, Allahabad, Bareilly, Lucknow, Puri, and major cities of Central India namely Bhopal, Ujjain, Indore, Khandwa, Itarsi.

Air

The nearest domestic airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is located 35 km (22 mi) from Haridwar. Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is the nearest International Airport which is located 220 km (140 mi) from Haridwar.

Industry

Haridwar is rapidly developing as an important industrial township of Uttarakhand since the state government agency, SIIDCUL established in 2002, set up the Integrated Industrial Estate in a district attracting many important industrial houses which are setting up manufacturing facilities in the area. According to list of allottee provided by SIIDCUL, the industrial estate is home to over 650 companies currently.

Haridwar has an industrial area situated at the bypass road, comprising mainly ancillary units to PSU, BHEL, which was established here in 1964 and currently employs over 8000 people.

In art and literature

Besides Hurdwar, a Place of Hindoo Pilgrimage referred to above, an engraving of a painting entitled Hurdwar, The Gate of Vishnou. by William Purser with a poetical illustration by Letitia Elizabeth Landon was published in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1838.