Haridwar is a holy city which is situated in Uttra Khand. It
is one of the significant religious sites of India. Haridwar means door way to
Lord Hari (lord Vishnu). It is located on the banks of river Ganga. Haridwar is
considered as the city of religion. In the ancient years, Haridwar came to be
known as Mayapuri, Gangadwar and Tapovan. Haridwar is among the four places
where once after every twelve years Kumbh mela is celebrated. According to the
Hindu mythology, Haridwar is the holy spot where Amrit (nectar), the drink of
gods that grants immortality fell.
Origin of sacred practice of Kumbh Mela is probably as old
as the time of Samudra Manthan, when the Gods and the asuras were busy in
collection of Amrit (nectar). To prevent the amrit vessel from going into the
hands of the asuras, the devtas handled it to the four Gods, namely Brahaspati,
Surya, Chandra and Shani. After understanding the conspiracy of the Devtas, the
Asuras chased the four devtas for pursuing the Amrit Kalash. This continued
until twelve days and nights, in the process the Lords ran round the Earth and
hided the Amrit Kalash in four different places namely Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain
and Nasik.
According to the Mythological legends, the actual fight that took place between the Lords and the Asuras, Amrit (nectar) vessel broke down and dripped at these four places. To memorialize this event, Kumbh Mela is organized after every twelve years. The four spots where nectar (Amrit) fell are today the celestial places wherein Kumbh Mela is held. Millions of pilgrims and devotees assemble together to be a part of this holy event. They perform ritualistic bathing on the banks of the River Ganga.
It is designated as Saptpuri which means it is one of the 7
greatest holy places. Muni Kapil came here for performing meditation, hence,
this place is called Kapil and Kapilsthan.
Kumbh Mela – Haridwar
Kumbh fair is organised turn wise at each place. Every 12th
year when Sun and Moon come in Aries sign and Jupiter is in Aquarius sign then
Kumbh Mela is organised at Haridwar. Lakhs of devotees come here during this
celebration. They perform systematic bath and rituals on the banks of river
Ganga.
In Haridwar, maximum people have bath on Hari ki Pauri. It
is believed that Amrit had fell at this place. This place is considered among
the purest Ghat of India. This Ghat is also known as Brahma Kund. It is said
that king Shuwait had worshipped Lord Brahma at Har ki Paudi. Pleased by the
devotion, lord appeared and since then the place is known as Brahma Kund. All
sins of a person are removed by bathing in Har ki paudi. This sacred Ghat was
constructed by King Vikramaditya (1st century BC) in memory of his brother
Bhrithari. It is believed that Bhrithari came to Haridwar (Hara Dwar) and
meditated on the banks of holy Ganga (Ganges). When he died, his brother
constructed a Ghat in his name, which later came to be known as Hari-Ki-Pauri.Every
evening, Aarti of river Ganga is performed here. People perform Deep Dhyan in
the river, during this time. Lamps in the river present a pleasing scene. The
hue of light coming from countless lamps creates a delightful scene.
There are 5 major spots in Haridwar for Pilgrimage, they are
known as Panch theertha. They are :-
Gangadwara( Har Ki Pauri) ,Kushwart ( Ghat in Khankal),Bilwa
teerth ( Manasa Devi temple) and
Neel Parvat ( Chandi Devi temple),Kankhal.
Har Ki Pauri is believed that Lord Vishnu left his foot
prints on the stone that is set in the Upper wall and hence Holy Ganga river
touches it in all times.
Kankhal is the winter capital of Shiva. It have Daksheswara
Mahadev Temple, father of Sati. Click here for story. Sati is the wife of Lord
Shiva who gave up her life due to insult of her father. Sati Kund is another
place to visit and it is believed that Sati laid down her life in this Kund.
Both Shaivism and vaishnavisim consider this place as sacred
as they believe that this is gate way to Har(Shiva) and Hari ( Vishnu). So this
place is called as Hardwar and Haridwar respectively. Visiting to this holy
city is an achievement of satisfaction to the Hindu pilgrims.
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