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Haridwar, meaning Gateway to God, is a pilgrim center of Hindus in the Uttarakhand district of India. It is situated on the banks of river Ganga at the point where the river descends from the hills to the plains. Haridwar is very popular among Hindu pilgrims all over the world.
A number of religious festivals are celebrated in Haridwar. The Kumbh Mela is the most notable among them. It is held once every twelve years. The Ardh Mela, meaning half-mela, is held here every six years. The next Kumbh Mela is set to take place in Haridwar in 2010 A.D. Other yearly festivals that take place here are:
Baisakhi in April
Somwati Amavasya in July
Kanwar Mela in July
Kartik Purnima, 15 days after Diwali
The main bathing point in Haridwar is Har-ki-Pauri (footprint of Vishnu). Other five sacred bathing spots are Kankhal, Gangadwara, Bilwa Teertha, Nila Parvata and Kusavarta. Pilgrims take the holy dip in Ganga at these bathing points.
Haridwar Travel can be exciting due to the presence of a number of places of interest in and around Haridwar. Some of them are mentioned below.
Rishikesh
It is an important pilgrimage center on the right bank of Ganga. Eye-catching natural beauty and a peaceful environment make the place a favorite among travelers. Now, it has also become a center for research in yoga and meditation. The International Yoga Festival is held year every year in the month of February.
Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park has almost 23 species of mammals, as well as 315 avifauna species. Elephants, tigers, leopards, sambar, chital, wild boar and other species of wildlife make the place a favorite among wildlife lovers.
Since Haridwar is an Ayurveda hot spot in India, an Ayurveda tour to Haridwar can be truly rewarding. An Ayurveda tour can cover Delhi, Haridwar and Rishikesh and can be comfortably completed within 15 days. Ashrams of international fame in Haridwar are the seats of research in yoga and meditation.
In Haridwar Hotels are easy to find. From star hotels to the budget ones to resorts – Haridwar has it all. A number of hotels are situated on the Haridwar-Rishikesh Highway and near Har-ki-Pauri ghat.
Main shopping areas in Haridwar are the Moti Bazaar, Jwalapur, Upper Road and Kankhal. Prayer beads, imitation jewelry, kitchen sets and artifacts are popular shopping items here. The hotels here offer Punjabi, South Indian and other kinds of food.
The nearest airport to Haridwar is at Dehradun. The railway station is towards the south of the town. The bus station is located very near to the railway station.
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