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Haridwar,
the gateway to the four pilgrimages in the Uttrakhand (Uttaranchal) region, is located on the foot hills of Shivaliks.
It is also the starting point on the journey to the sacred sources of the Ganga and the Yamuna Rivers.
It is situated on the banks of River Ganga. Hardwar is the
place where the Ganga leaves the mountains and enters the plains.
It is the first major town on the plains. Though the Ganges does not lose its rapids completely
even so it becomes very calm and quite over here. The water is clean and people prefer
to take bath on the numerous ghats built on the river shores. It is said that taking bath here purifies the soul and opens the way for the ultimate freedom, Nirvana.
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Hardwar has earned obscurity as being the place which has been blessed by the trinity of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is also one of the major
Shaktipeeths. Down the ages Hardwar has purified the mind, the body and the soul. Not only in spiritual or religious terms, Hardwar has come up as a major learning center for arts, science and culture. This place
maintains the Gurukul tradition of teaching. This ancient tradition of teaching has maintained its
tradition in Hardwar. |
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Hardwar has since ages been a source of Ayurvedic medicines and has been providing herbal remedies. Hardwar one of the first towns to be developed on Ganges is still lush and green with forest and trees. With Rajaji Park in the vicinity Hardwar has also been the destination for the wildlife and nature lovers. The city acquires a unique charm in the evening when the ghats become breath takingly beautiful with thousands of Diyas and Marigold floating in the waters of Ganges. |
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HISTORY
Legend says that Prince Bhagirath performed penance here to rescue his ancestor's soul who had perished due to Sage Kapila’s curse. It is also said that the penance was answered and the river Ganga trickled forth from Lord Shiva's locks and its bountiful water revived the sons of King
Sagara.
In the tradition of Bhagirath, devout Hindus stand in the sacred waters here and prays for the salvation of their ancestors.
SHOPPING
Haridwar is a pilgrimage center and visitors come here to visit the temples so as such there is no particular item which can be recommended to be bought here. But Hardwar offers you some good handicraft items which can be kept as decorative pieces or can be used as gift items. In the markets surrounding the temples, one can find jewellery imitations which are very popular among the devotees. The bangles, chains, ear and nose rings are some items which can be bough there. Then the shops also have items made of stone. From Rishikesh Ganga enters the plains and in all this area it sheds its load of stones which are not only polished naturally but come out in amazing shapes and sizes. These stone are used to make small idols which are very neatly, delicately and intricately carved. Look out for Kitchen set toys made from stone. You can also get some items of talk stone. The main shopping centers are Moti Bazaar, Upper Road, Jwalapur, Kankhal. The UP handloom Emporium is near the Bharat Mata temple and the government Emporium, Gandhi Ashram is near the Hardwar post office.
CLIMATE
Haridwar is located at a height of almost 300 meters . One Should never expect any sort of pleasant high altitude climate here. During the summers the temperature usually hangs around 40 degrees but winters sees the mercury dipping as low as six degrees. So neither of the seasons are suitable or ideal for tourists to venture in Haridwar. The monsoons further add to the miseries of the visitors. The best seasons to visit Haridwar is some where between September and June.
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