Haridwar

About Haridwar: Haridwar connotes to Dwar of Hari or Dwar of Har, and also alluding to Gateway to God. Posited on the bank of Holy Ganga river is one of the four palces where every twelve years the great festival of Kumbha Mela is held and every six years an Ardh Kumbha. Haridwar is also among the seven most revered places of Hindu pilgrimage in India.

As per mythological references, it is believed that great Suryavanshi prince Bhagirath did penance to purge the souls of his forefathers from the curse of sage Kapila. It was the result of hard penances performed by the suryavanshi prince that river Ganga or Ganges, oozed from Lord Shiva's tresses and its holy water resuscitated the 60-thousand sons of king Sagara. Keeping the tradition of Suryavanshi prince Bhagirath alive, today, devotees stand in holy waters of the Ganges and pray for the recluse of their departed ancestors.

Hardwar or Haridwar, is also considered as the gateway to sources of the Ganges and the Yamuna, 3000 to 4500 meters in the snowy mountain peaks in central Himalayan ranges. The most spectacular of the rituals performed in the holy place along the banks of Ganges are 'Aarti' or the worship of the Ganges and the floating 'DIYA' (lamp), both performed after sunset.