Mystical Haridwar: From Satyuga to the Modern Era
Haridwar: A Gateway to the Divine
Haridwar is a district in the Garhwal region, one of the major administrative divisions of Uttarakhand. Located on the right bank of the Ganges River and at the foothills of the Shivalik range, Haridwar shares borders with Saharanpur, Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Muzaffarnagar, and Bijnor. Spanning an area of 2,360 square kilometers, Haridwar is the second-largest district in the state.
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| Har ki pauri haridwar during ganga aarti |
History, Myths, and Legends
You might have visited Haridwar or plan to visit it someday. But do you really know the origin story of Haridwar and how its name was formed? Let's discuss some amazing facts about it together.
The name Haridwar stands for:
Hari (हरि): Lord Vishnu
Dwar (द्वार): Door It means "Gateway to Lord Vishnu" or "Gateway to the Gods."
An earlier name for the city was Hardwar:
Har: Lord Shiva
Dwar: Gateway This means "Gateway to Lord Shiva."
Haridwar is a famous and popular place, not just in the present but since the era of the Mahabharata. Haridwar has many names, but we currently call it Haridwar. It's not only famous in Hinduism but is also popular among Sikhs and Christians.
According to the people of Garhwal, those who visit Haridwar won't return because their souls attain moksha (salvation). Haridwar is sanctified by the presence of the three Gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. It is one of the oldest living cities and one of the most sacred places to visit in India, as well as the gateway to the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
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| Braham kund haridwar also known as har ki pauri. |
The Fascinating Story of Satyuga
If you're a travel enthusiast who loves to unravel the mysteries of places, let me tell you, Haridwar is one of the oldest living cities, over a millennium from Satyuga. This story is written in three religious texts: the Mahabharata, Vishnu Purana, and Bhagavad Gita. I first heard this story in Nashik from my uncle while bathing in Kushavrat Kund on the Godavari River, and I share it with you:
Once, Sage Durvasa cursed all the Devas (demi-gods including Indra) so they lost their strength. The Asuras (demons) defeated them and took control of the universe. The Devas sought help from Lord Vishnu, who advised them that only nectar residing at the bottom of the celestial ocean could make them strong and immortal. The Devas needed the help of the Asuras to obtain this nectar. Both Devas and Asuras churned the ocean of milk to obtain the nectar of immortality (Amrita). They used Vasuki, the king of snakes (now situated around Shiva's neck), as the rope and Mount Mandara as the churning rod. The churning lasted for a thousand years. During this process, the Devas and Asuras obtained many things, including venom (drunk by Lord Shiva and called Nilkanth Mahadev near Rishikesh), Dhanvantari (goddess of medicine), and much gold and jewelry. Finally, they found Amrita. Drops of Amrita accidentally spilled over from a pitcher carried by Garuda, landing in four different places in India: Prayagraj, Ujjain, Nashik, and Haridwar (Brahma Kund at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar).
In the Rigveda, Haridwar is known as 'Mayapuri.' In the Mahabharata, it is known as Gangadwara. The ancient name of Haridwar is Kapila, as Sage Kapila lived there, and his ashram was called Kapilasthana.
Haridwar: Beyond Mythology
Archaeological surveys have found that this place had a terracotta culture in the past. Terracotta art, a clay-based medium, includes pottery, statues, and cookware from the Harappan civilization. Haridwar was ruled by the Mauryan dynasty and later by the Kushans.
Chinese traveler Huan Tsang also visited Haridwar and called it 'Mayurpur' or 'Mo Yu Lu.' Turkish ruler Timur invaded Haridwar when returning from Delhi. During King Harshavardhan's reign, it was part of his kingdom. Later, it became part of the Mughal Empire. Emperor Akbar, upon drinking the water of the Ganges at Haridwar, referred to it as the water of immortality and took Ganges water back with him in sealed containers. Raja Man Singh, Akbar's commander-in-chief, laid the foundations and renovated the ghats at Har Ki Pauri. Aurangzeb is said to have destroyed various temples in the region. Haridwar was also used by the British as a port.
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| haridwar from above |
Places to Visit in Haridwar
Haridwar has a diverse culture and history. If you are a mythological enthusiast who believes in miracles or wants to feel the deep historical vibes and connection with the gods, visit the places listed below. After covering all Garhwal districts, I will describe the temples, the history behind them, their architecture, and their creators.
Mansa Devi Temple
Chandi Devi Temple
Har Ki Pauri Ghat: Must attend the Ganga Aarti in the evening
Rajaji National Park
Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple
Shantikunj Ashram
Sapt Rishi Ashram
Ma Anandamayi Ashram
Vaishno Devi Temple
Maya Devi Temple
Vishnu Ghat
Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple
Food to Eat in Haridwar
Apart from being a cultural and religious place, Haridwar is a paradise for foodies, especially street food. Here are some must-try items:
Aloo Poori
Kachori
Rasmalai & Jalebi
Lassi & Kulhar Wala Milk
Chaat
Samosa
Stuffed Parathas
Mulberry Khomcha
Gulab Jamun
Famous Old Shops in Haridwar
Mathura Walo Ki Pracheen Dukaan, Har Ki Pauri
Hoshiyar Puri
Bhagwatia Chole Bhature
Mohan Ji Puri Waale
Chotiwala Restaurant
Mashoor Mathura Waale
Culture and Dress
Haridwar is part of the Garhwal region but shares its border with Uttar Pradesh. Due to the influence of people from Uttar Pradesh, the cultural and regional language differs slightly. You'll mostly hear Hindi, Dehati, Haryanvi, Urdu, and Punjabi. Garhwali is spoken by very few people. The dresses and culture of Haridwar are mostly similar to those of people from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Traditional Uttarakhand dresses are seldom worn here due to the city's rapid growth and influx of people from outside.
Present Haridwar
Haridwar is growing rapidly. The development and tourism boards of Uttarakhand are building new infrastructure to sustain the city and attract those who seek the myths behind Uttarakhand's name as Devbhoomi. However, the influx of pilgrims has resulted in significant littering, which harms the holy river Ganga. Stay alert from thieves and fraudulent sages and saints.
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| scenic beauty of haridwar |
Conclusion
If you want to unlock the myths and learn how the Pandavas found the door to heaven, and if you want to explore Uttarakhand from bottom to top, then Haridwar is a must-visit. Satisfy your thirst for adventure by uncovering its secrets with your own eyes
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| people littering nad polluting ganga |
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