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Gateway to heaven
Haridwar is one of India's holiest cities. It is mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures and has been a centre for spiritual and religious learning since time immemorial. Located on the banks of the river Ganga, at the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas, Haridwar is a city steeped in tradition. Haridwar literally means a gateway to the abode of the gods. Some believe the city leads up to the home of Vishnu or Hari, one of the gods of the Hindu holy trinity, and hence the name as Hari- dwar. Others believe that the city is a gateway to the land of Shiva or Har, also a part of the holy trinity, and thus, Har-dwar.
Revered by both followers of Shiva and
Vishnu the city finds itself on every pilgrim's itinerary
and is teeming with temples, sadhus and devotees. It is
the first stop on the journey to the four dhams or the four
main centres of Hindu pilgrimage — Badrinath, Kedarnath,
Gangotri and Yamunotri.
Haridwar exudes a mysticism that seems to defy both age and time. Tourists flock here, round the year, for its lush green surroundings and for a glimpse of the Ganga. They come here for a glimpse into India's rich religious and spiritual heritage and are impressed by its amazing ability to combine the old and the new.
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