|
Haridwar
the holy city lies at the base of Shiva’s hill – the Shivalik
range. Legend goes that
when Lord Shiva sent Ganga to quench the thirst of the people, the
river Ganga extricated herself from the matted locks of Lord Shiva
and descended to the plains at Haridwar.
From here, the Ganga proceeds eastwards and southwards
through Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Culcutta towards Ganga Sagar,
where it meets the sea.
Haridwar
is famous for Kumbh and Ardh kumbh fairs that are held marking the
12 year solar cycle, etc. Millions
of devotees, Hindus and visitors, take a di in the holiest of Hindu
rivers at this time, to attain salvation.
Mythology has it that a few drops of the nectar churned from
the ocean fell at four places and it is here that the Kumbh is held
(Haridwar, Allahabad, Ujjain & Nasik.)
It
is said that you can attain salvation by praying to Lord Vishnu
(Hari) or Lord Shiva and hence this sacred spot is known both as
Haridwar and Hardwar.
|
