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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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