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Haridwar has very rich ancient religious and cultural heritage. In the ancient scriptures
of India, this place is well known by the name of Mayapur. This city is also well
known for many other things apart from the holy river Ganges. Haridwar has privilege
of having IIT at Roorkee, formerly known as University of Roorkee, founded in 1847
as a first technical institute of India.
The city has one of the "navratna PSUs of India" i.e BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals
India Ltd.). The tomb Piran Kaliar of Shabir Shahib in Roorkee is a living example
of religious harmony in India which is visited by the people of all religious sects
from all over the world. There is another University in the city called Gurukul
Kangri Vishva Vidyalaya apart from the head quarter of Uttaranchal State Public
Service Commission also being established at Haridwar. Besides this, Kumbh fair
is organized at the interval of every 12 years in this city in which about 1 crore
pilgrims from all over the world participate.
"Among the many pilgrimages that dot the length of the Ganga, Haridwar ranks among
the most holy in the land " Accroding to Hindu mythology Haridwar was known as Kapilsthan.
Lagend has it that the ancestors of Raja Bhagirath, were consumed by fire at this
spot following a cused of rishi Kapil. For their salvation Raja Bhhagirath requested
the ganga to descend on Earth. Haridwar is also famous by the names of gangadwar,
Mokshadwar, Tapovan and Mayapuri. It is at Haridwar that the Ganga finaly energes
into the northern plains. The Kumbh and the Ardh Kumbh melas also take place here
every 12 th & 6th year.
King Vikramaditya constructed this sacred Ghat in memory of his brother Bhatrihari
who it is believed had come to Haridwar to meditate on the banks of the Ganga. This
ghat later came to be known as Har-Ki-Pauri (also called Brahamakund). At twilight,
golden hues of floral diyas reflected in the river Ganga present the most enchanting
sight. The imprint of Lord Hari’s footprint hallows the riverbank temple here. The
ghat is regarded the most sacred and auspicious point to bathe in the Ganga during
the 12 year Kumbh and the 6 year Ardh Kumbh.
According to legend the Saptarshis (seven sages) were deep in meditation here. The
Ganga, not wanting to disturb them split herself into seven streams (Sapt Sarovar)
around them.
The temple of Goddess Mansa Devi is situated at the top of Bilwa Parwat. The rope-way
with its brightly coloured cable cars take devotees to the old hilltop of Mansa
Devi.
The Chandi Devi temple at the top of Neel Parvat on river Ganga’s banks was built
in1929 A.D. by the King of Kashmir-Suchat Singh. A three kilometers trek from Chandighat,
it is believed that the main statue was established by the Adi Shankaracharya in
8th century AD. It is at a distance of six kilometers on Neel Parvat on the other
bank of River Ganga.
This is an ancient temple of Maya Devi the Adhisthatri deity of Hardwar, known as
one of the Siddhapethas. Said to be the places where the hearts and navel of Goddess
Sati had fallen.
The ancient temple of Daksha Mahadev stands in the south Kankhal town. Mythology
has it that King Daksha Prajapati, father of Sati (Lord Shiva's first wife) performed
yagya at this place, but didn’t invite Lord Shiva (Mahadev). Feeling insulted, Sati
burnt herself in the yagya kund. Provoked by this, the ganas (followers) of Lord
Shiva killed King Daksha. Later, Lord Shiva brought him back to life.
Kanva Rishio Ashram; Bilkeshwar Mahadev; PawanDham; Bhooma Niketan; Vaishnav Devi
Temple; Bharat Mata Mandir; Doodhadhari Temple; Shahi Gurudwara; Jairam Ashram.
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