Har Ki Pauri is a famous ghat on the banks of the
Ganges in Haridwar in Uttarakhand state in India. This revered place is the
major landmark of the holy city of Haridwar. Literally, "Har"
means "Lord Shiva" who is the god according to shaivite school of
Hindu theology, "ki" means "of" and "pauri" means
"steps". Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are believed to have visited the
Brahmakund in Har ki Paudi in the Vedic (ancient period) times. There is a
large footprint said to belong to Lord Vishnu on a stone wall.
Thousands of devotees and pilgrims flock here from all over
the world to take a holy dip; it is believed that a dip here will wash away
their sins or Karma and provide Moksha.
The ghat is on the west bank of Ganges canal through which
the Ganges is diverted just to the north. Har ki pauri is also the area where
thousands of pilgrims converge and the festivities commence during the Kumbha
Mela, which takes place every twelve years, and the Ardh Kumbh Mela, which
takes place every six years and the Punjabi festival of Vaisakhi, a harvest
festival occurring every year in the month of April.
Har ki pauri is believed to be the exit point of the river
Ganges from the mountains and its entry into the plains. A dip in the holy
water of the ghat is said to relieve a person of all his sins. The place is
surrounded by some ancient and some newly build temples.
King Vikramaditya constructed this sacred ghat in memory of
his brother Bhatrihari who it is believed had come to Haridwar to meditate on
the banks of the Ganga.
Every day, Hari Ki Pauri ghat witnesses hundreds
taking a dip in water of the Ganges. Each evening at sunset priests perform
Ganga Arti here, when lights are set on the water to drift downstream. This is
the most amazing and soul touching spectacle. A large number of people gather
on both the banks of river Ganges to sing its praises. The priest hold large
fire bowls in their hands, the gongs in the temples at the Ghat start ringing
and the chants flowing out of lips fill the air. People float earthen diyas,
with burning flickers and flowers in them as a symbol of hope and wishes .The
golden hues of floral diyas reflected in the river Ganges present the most
enchanting sight.
An area within Hari ki Pauri, where the evening Ganga Aarti
takes places and which is considered most sacred is known as Brahm Kund.
The Har Ki Pauri temple carries even more significance,
because it preserves the footprints of Lord Shiva even to this day. The scene
at the Ganges ghats can itself stir your soul and immerse you in the ocean of
devotion. The entire ghat remains lined with saints, rishihs and pilgrims.
The place is considered very auspicious. Over the years the
ghats have undergone major extension and renovation as the crowds increased in
subsequent Kumbh Melas.
How to Reach
Its only 05 km far from Haridwar, 215 km from Delhi, 50 km
from Dehradun, 45 km from Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun,30 km
from Rishikesh, 85 km from Mussoorie. You can go by the Rickshaw to
the Temple and auto (Tuk TUk) is also available for Har ki Pauri.
Book your Har
ki Pauri holidays with our affiliate
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