Haridwar/Rishikesh
Haridwar is one of the first towns where the Ganga river
emerges from the mountains to touch the plains. It’s a
holy city and according to Hindu mythology one among the
four sites where drops of the elixir of immortality
accidentally spilled over from the pitcher, in which it
was being carried away by the celestial bird Garuda. The
place where the nectar fell is considered to be the most
sacred ghat of Haridwar; thousands of devotees and
pilgrims flock here during festivals from all over India
to take a holy dip and wash away one’s sins. Haridwar
also has a long-standing position as a great source of
Ayurvedic medicines and herbal remedies.
Sightseeing
The most sacred ghat within Har-ki-Pauri is
Brahmakund. The evening prayer at dusk is an enchanting
experience for any visitor. A spectacle of sound and
colour is seen when, after the ceremony, pilgrims float
diyas (floral floats with lamps) and incense on the
river.
The Mansa Devi temple is situated at the top of Bilwa
Parwat and is a popular destination, especially because
of the cable cars which offer a picturesque view of the
entire city.
Other interesting sights are Maya
Devi temple, one of a few ancient temples still standing
in Haridwar and Chandi Devi temple.
You can also visit Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar, a bird
sanctuary situated on the main Ganga river and a
paradise for bird watchers, home to many migratory birds
during the winter season.
Or visit Rajaji National Park near Haridwar, best known
for its wild elephants.
From Haridwar you can easily visit Rishikesh, another
holy city for Hindus and a famous centre of pilgrimage.
Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found
along the banks of the Ganga. The city attracts
thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year and it has
numerous yoga centres.
Festivals
Being a place of intense religious significance,
Haridwar also hosts several religious festivals
throughout the year, popular among them are the Kavad
Mela, Ganga Dashara and Gughal Mela. Apart from this
there is the Kumbh Mela which takes place once in every
twelve years. Millions of pilgrims, devotees and
tourists congregate here from all over the world to
celebrate the event. They perform ritualistic bathing on
the banks of the Ganga.
Hotels
We have selected a few of the best
hotels in Haridwar as well as Rishikesh and can book
rooms according to your wishes and budget.