Haridwar And Hrishikesh: Glimpses of Ancient India

While you are in Delhi, you must make a trip to Hardwar, which is 214 Kms. from Delhi. You can take a train, buses, or cabs to reach Hardwar within 5 hours. Haridwar literally means ‘The Gateway To The Abode Of Gods’. It is situated in the base of Shivalik range of the Himalayas (Uttaranchal). Here the holy river Ganges comes down from the Himalayas. Haridwar is the gateway to the pilgrimage of Kedarnath and Badrinath shrine. The holy pilgrim of Chardham Yatra (Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath) starts from here. It is also one of the holy places where Kumbh Mela is held. Millions of Hindu devotees come for the holy dip in the Ganges.

There are five sacred bathing spots in Haridwar, Gangadwara, Kankhal, Nila Parvata, Bilwa Teertha, and Kusavarta. Har Ki Pauri is the main bathing spot (ghat) for the holy dip which is known for a footprint of Vishnu on a stone. The Ganga Aarti during sunset in Har ki Pauri is a fascinating sight where hundreds of people offer earthen lamps and flowers which are floated down the holy Ganges.

Other places of interest in Haridwar are The Manasa Devi Temple where people can take a ropeway ride, The Kankhal Temple, and The Parmarth Ashram. Ask your travel agency to make a reservation for a cheap hotel or a resort, depending on your budget.

From Hardwar you must visit Rishikesh, which is just 15 Kms away. Tourists from all over the world come here to see and experience the vibration of the ancient land of pilgrimage, Yoga, Meditation, and Ayurveda.

Places to must see in Rishikesh are The famous bridges Laksman Jhula and Ram Jhula, Gita Bhavan, Ved Niketan, and Yoga Study Centre. The center is famous for lessons in Yoga and Meditation and Ayurvedic treatments, which are actually essence of ancient Indian traditions. Tourists come with other interests like trekking, river rafting, and wildlife safari. The best time to visit these places is May to October. Food available in these two holy places are mainly vegetarian.