Haridwar

Hardwar or Haridwar ( Vishnu's gate) is an important pilgrim centre of the Hindus and one of the seven holy places ( Sapt Puri ) that promise 'moksha' or salvation to the devout. Haridwar is situated 214 km northeast of Delhi, in Hardwar district in Uttaranchal, on a 3 km stretch in the foothills of the Shivaliks at the point where the Holy Ganges River emerges from the Himalayas. It is therefore, also known as 'Ganga Dwar' or the Gateway of Ganga. 

The city is associated with both Lord Shiva as well as Lord Vishnu. 'Har' means Shiva, 'Hari' means Vishnu. Pilgrims usually visit Haridwar before going on their pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrines of Shiva in Kedarnath and Vishnu in Badrinath. 

In the Hindu mythology, Haridwar is known as Kapilsthan. According to the legends, Prince Bhagirath of Suryavanshi clan performed severe penance and Lord Shiva, in response, sent the Ganges cascading into the earth from his matted locks. It was at this place that Prince Bhagirath's ancestors were burnt to ashes by the curse of the sage Kapila. Kapilsthan, a spot in Haridwar is pointed to as Kapila's hermitage. The ancient town is also mentioned in the books of Hieun Tsang the famous Chinese traveller who describes Haridwar as Mayura, on the eastern banks of the Ganges.

The chief attraction here is the main ghat Har-ki-Pauri  (steps of Shiva) believed to be the precise spot where the Ganges leaves the mountains and enters the plains. Lord Vishnu is believed to have left his footprint on a rock here. Bathing here is believed to cleanse the soul of all sins . Har-ki-Pauri was constructed by king Vikramaditya in the memory of king Bhagirath. Every evening at break of dusk, 'aarati' of the Mother Ganga is performed by the priests at the site, after which flowers and 'diyas' (earthen lamps) are set afloat on the waters of Ganga. The spectacle of hundreds of miniature lamps floating along the river is breathtakingly beautiful.