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Introduction : |
On the foothills of Shivalik Range of Northern India lies one of the seven holiest Hindu places in India, Haridwar. It literally means Gateway to God and it stands as a gateway to three other important pilgrimage destinations: Rishikesh, Badrinath, and Kedarnath.
The trinities of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and
Brahma have blessed it. It is also one of the |
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major Shaktipeeths. It is on the banks of holy River Ganga even though it does not lose its rapids completely, nevertheless it becomes very quite and calm here.
Pilgrims come here to purify their mind, body and soul by taking a dip in Ganga and some come for the last rites of the deceased for it’s believed that the spirits are set free with peace, a complete attainment of moksha.
According to mythology, drops of nectar or amrit, churned out from the primordial ocean, fell at the four sites at each of which the “Kumbh Melas” ( congregation for prayers around river Ganga) are held every 12 years which 10 million pilgrims from all over the world participate. The “Kumbha Mela” is held here once when Jupiter transits to the zodiac sign of Aquarius. The “Kumbha” and the”Ardh Kumbha” ( half Kumbha, held every six years) are major religious events when millions of devoted Hindus take a holy dip in the Ganga.
In Hindu mythology, Haridwar was referred to as Kapilsthan. Legend has it, that the Suryavanshi Prince Bhagirnath, performed penance here, to salvage the souls of his ancestors, who had perished due to a curse of sage Kapila. His penance caused the bountiful waters of the river Ganga to revive the sixty thousand sons of King Sagara. Amongst its other names, Haridwar has also been referred to as Gangadwar, and Tapovan. Known also as 'Mayapuri' in the Puranas, it is mentioned in the memoirs of the celebrated Chinese traveller, Hieun Tsang.
Haridwar has since ages been a source of Ayurvedic medicines and herbal remedies for some of the most incurable diseases. With Rajaji Park in the vicinity Haridwar has also been the destination for the wildlife and nature lovers. The five sacred bathing spots in Haridwar are Gangadwara, Kankhal, Nila Parvata, Bilwa Theertha and Kusavarta. The main ghat at Haridwar is known as Harki-Pauri (known for a footprint of Vishnu on a stone in a wall). The city acquires a unique charm in the evening at the ghats with breath taking large ceremonial pujas and thousands of Lamps and Marigold floating in the waters of Ganges. One sees a vast array of religious ascetics, sadhus and holymen, who come down from their abodes in mountains, forests and caves. It is recommended to be a part of this heavenly glorifying experience.
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