Haridwar and Rishikesh are often referred to as twin towns since they are so close to each other, about 16 miles. Whilst Rishikesh can be a little bizarre and wacky Haridwar is regarded as the more holy twin.
The evening aarti draws hundreds of people each night. Haridwar is one of four holy tirthas or “crossings” where thousands of pilgrims descend on the town when the Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years (next is January 2010.) The Ardha Mela , also every 12 years, is next in Haridwar in 2016.
Haridwar means Gates (dwar) of God (Hari) and where devout Hindus believe the Hari-Ki-Pairi ghat marks the exact spot where the river leaves the mountains and adopts a more leisurely pace from here on.
As a holy city it is alcohol free and strictly vegetarian.
Places of Interest
HAR-KI-PAIRI (literally the Footstep of God)
Situated in the heart of the town this is the most sacred ghat and is where the Ganga Maha Aarti begins at sunset. Pilgrims from all over India gather to listen to the ceremony. Then as night falls, after evening puja (prayers) and bhajans (hymns) are complete, hundreds of little leaf baskets of flowers and lighted diyas ( oil candle lamps) are released on to Ma Ganga to flow towards the sea.
