History of Haridwar
Haridwar, the holy town of India, has a history that spans thousands of years. Its significance is all about Hindu legends, historical texts, and the spiritual values of India. Haridwar is among the cities inhabited the earliest, and for many centuries, even today, it has been an important center for religion, culture, and education.
It’s hard to miss the divine soul of the city, especially ‘the’ banks of the holy Ganges River. Focused to the north is Haridwar, whose kernel contains the Ghat that translates as Har Ki Pauri which refers to ‘Footsteps of God. It is believed that Lord Vishnu had left his footprint on that stone. To watch the Ganga Aarti, a spectacular show, every day a lot of people gather where it is done with a lot of priests waving massive pieces of fire and prayers to the river goddess Ganga, performing the very intricately structured aarti. Watching the flickering of the diyas floating on the surface of the water and listening to the sound of mantras coupled with the striking of the bells is more stirring than mere words can express.
Temples in Haridwar
Mansa Devi Temple
The Mansa Devi Temple is located on the Bilwa Parvat hill and is devoted to the goddess Mansa, who hears and fulfills the prayers of her devotees. The temple can be visited either by trekking or through the cable car, which offers a stunning view of the city and the Ganga River below.
Chandi Devi Temple
Another important temple, Chandi Devi Temple, is situated on the Neel Parvat hill and is devoted to Chandi Devi. This temple is also a part of the five pilgrimage centers in Haridwar called the Panch Tirth, and like the Mansa Devi Temple, it also has a beautiful cable car ride to reach it.
Maya Devi Temple
Maya Devi Temple, one of the largest and oldest temples in the town of Haridwar, honors Goddess Maya the city’s main deity. This Shakti Peetha is considered a sacred site and a place of worship for Sriv idols as it is believed that the heart and navel of Goddess Sati fell here.
Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi ropeway ticket price
- From the beginning of 2024, the sum total ropeway ticket fare for going round both Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi temples in Haridwar is roughly in the region of ₹260 per individual for an entire round trip. This fare enables the visitors, to gain access to both temples, through the ropeways without any inconvenience.
- If you wish to go and see each temple separately, then roughly the costs of the ropeway tickets are thus:
- Mansa Devi Ropeway: Round trip ₹150–₹180.
- Chandi Devi Ropeway: Round trip ₹150–₹180.
Please bear in mind that depending on seasons, festivities, and prevailing situations, prices may be subject to slight adjustments. It is prudent to check current rates at the time of your visit, or when purchasing tickets on the spot.
Ashram in haridwar
Haridwar is home to numerous ashrams that attract visitors from different parts of the world for spiritual retreats, meditation, yoga, and Ayurvedic therapies. These sanctuaries provide a peaceful setting that encourages introspection and spiritual growth. Some of the most famous ashrams in Haridwar are as follows:
1. Parmarth Ashram
Location: Kankhal, Haridwar
Parmarth Ashram is a famous rest house that focuses on the traditional teachings of Vedas, meditation, and yoga. It offers spiritual classes, Ganga Aarti, and healing therapies for the guests.
Facilities: The ashram provides facilities for staying for visitors and also organizes regular spiritual congregations, yoga training, talks on spirituality, etc.
2. Shantikunj Ashram (Gayatri Parivar)
Location: Rishikesh Road, Haridwar
Established by Shriram Sharma Acharya, Shantikunj is an important spiritual place working for moral and social revitalization in the light of the Gayatri mantra and Vedic ionization. It is a vital constituent of the All World Gayatri Parivar movement.
The ashram mainly focuses on spiritual training, meditation, yoga, and offering several educational programmes, but also seeks to enhance the society through various means.
3. Patanjali Yogpeeth
Location: Near Bahadarabad, Haridwar
The Patanjali Yogpeeth constitutes an eminent yoga institution that has been established by Baba Ramdev whom himself a proponent of Ayurveda, Yoga and wellness through several healing and detoxification processes.
Facilities: The ashram comprises a vast expanse with hospitals, research institutions and accommodation facilities. Guests can participate in yoga sessions, meditate and also undergo Ayurvedic treatment.
4. Anandamayi Ma Ashram
Location: Kankhal, Haridwar
A Saint Anandamayi Ma Ashram is situated in the lap of nature to provide and teach practices of meditation. It is famed for its peaceful surroundings and ambience.
Facilities: The ashram offers shelter, meditation areas, and a reading room. It also organizes spiritual discourses and devotional services on a regular basis.
5. Sapta Rishi Ashram
Location: Sapt Sarovar, Haridwar
Sapta Rishi Ashram, one of the oldest and most sacred ashrams in Haridwar, is situated on the banks of the Ganges River. According to the legend, it was here that seven Sages (Sapta Rishis) performed meditative practices. It is also a place to enhance and practice spirituality and meditative activities.
Facilities: It provides facilities for yoga, meditation classes and lodging for persons and spiritual practitioners
Kumbh Mela Haridwar
- Haridwar can take a sigh of relief in the sense that it is one of the venues of the Kumbh Mela Haridwar– a religious festival that comes every 12 years and is one of the largest in the world.
- As the Ganges river is considered highly holy, a great number of pilgrims as well as sadhus and other tourists come to this city to take a ritual bath in it.
- More than just a festival, the Kumbh Mela is a great religious endeavor, one of immense scale and full of color.
- It depicts the diverse culture of India and its religions through grand marches, informative spiritual talks, and crowd-pleasing displays of bathing activity which are just simply magnificent.
Hotel in Haridwar near Ganga
Haridwar is home to numerous hotels with beautiful landscapes and easy reach to the Ganga River. There are some suggested hotels nearby the Ganga, which are different from one another in characteristics and facilities:
1. Hotel Ganga Sadan
Location: Near Shyampur Village, on the outskirts of Haridwar
Synopsis: Ganga Sadan has a riverfront location with well-furnished rooms and a calm environment. In addition to this, the hotel provides a private ghat for those who wish to indulge in the river rituals.
2. Hotel Alaknanda
Location: Near Har Ki Pauri
A simple and clean hotel that is under GMVN – Garhwal Mandal Vikhas Nigam, this River Ganges Front Hotel is budget-friendly because the rates are affordable. It is perfect for pilgrims who wish to take a break from their pilgrim schedules and stay somewhere near the river.
3. Radisson Blu Hotel Haridwar
Location: Industrial Area, Sidcul, a short drive to the Ganges
Although it is not as close to the banks of the Ganges, Radisson Blu provides a more modern luxurious experience with still some distance to the river. The hotel also has a shuttle service that makes it easier to reach Har ki Pauri and other activities along the Ganges.
4. Devnadi Hotel (The Heritage Hotel)
Location: Near Har Ki Pauri
Devnadi Heritage Hotel is located exactly on the riverbank and is decorated with great taste and tranquility and calm. Drawbacks include, however, the fact that it offers a private ghat which helps its visitors to carry out ceremony in the river without any interruption.
There are various types of hotels within the price range of their clients i.e. cheap or even expensive hotels with different river proximity n ambience, spiritual in nature, that is Haridwar.
