Experience the fascination and colours of haridwar

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(Free-Press-Release.com) October 27, 2009 -- Ancient Haridwar (the Gateway to God) is one of the seven holiest places in India, and one of the oldest living cities. Located at the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, it's here that the holy Ganges River emerges from the mountains and commences its long journey to the Bay of Bengal.

Haridwar is made up of a fascinating and colorful collection of sadhus (holy men), pundits (Hindu priests), pilgrims, guides, beggars, and a diverse population from all levels of society. Every evening, the Ganges comes alive with a surreal glow as hundreds of small lamps are lit and sent floating down the river after prayer.

The best time to visit Haridwar is from October to March. Summers, from April to July, get very hot in Haridwar. Temperatures hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The clean water of the Ganges is really refreshing though. The monsoon season, from July to September, is unsuitable to taking a dip in the Ganges as the river bank becomes unstable and currents are strong because of the rain. Winters, from November until February, get cold during the night. As a result, the water is chilly, but there's also mist in the air which makes Haridwar particularly scenic at that time of year.

Haridwar's main attractions are its temples, ghats (steps leading down to the river), and Ganges River. As the sun sets, head to Har ki Pauri ghat to witness the holy Ganga Aarti (prayer) at around 6-7 p.m. every night. This beautiful ceremony creates a warm hue as small candles are floated down the river. Coupled with the chanting of mantras, clanking of bells, and enthusiastic crowd, it's very moving. Haridwar is also a great place to come if you've got an interest in Ayurvedic medicine, as many roots and shrubs that are grown in the Himalayas are readily available there.

The most famous festival to take place at Haridwar is the Kumbh Mela, held there once every 12 years. It draws tens of millions of pilgrims who come to bathe in the Ganges and be absolved of their sins. The Ardh Kumbh Mela ("half mela") is held in Haridwar once every six years, and the next one is scheduled for March-April 2010. In addition to these melas, many religious Hindu festivals are celebrated in Haridwar. Some of the most popular ones are the Kanwar Mela (July-August) devoted to Lord Shiva, Somwati Amavasya (July), Ganga Dussehra (June), Kartik Poornima (November), and Baisakhi (April).

Rajaji National Park offers unspoiled natural beauty only 10 kilometers (six miles) from Haridwar. Its eco-system is estimated to be 10 million years old, and a diverse range of wildlife can be seen there, including elephants. Anyone with an interest in yoga and Ayurveda shouldn't miss visiting Swami Ramdev's Patanjali Yogpreeth, at Bahadrabad near Haridwar. This fascinating educational institution aims to link ancient wisdom with modern science.
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