Haridwar, Har Ki Pauri
Har Ki Pauri is one of the most sacred ghats in Haridwar and the only place where all spiritual activities take place. It is believed that this ghat was built by King Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Britari in the 1st century BC. The literal meaning of the word ‘Har ki Pauri’ is- “Har” means “Lord Shiva”, ki means “of” and “Pauri” means “step”.
The priests of nearby temples tell that Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu visited Brahmakund in Har ki Pauri during the Vedic period. The Ghat got its name from the footprint of Lord Vishnu, the same is present on a stone in the Ghat. Geographically, Haridwar is the place where the Ganges River descends from the Gangotri Glacier into the Indo-Gangetic plains of northern India.
Har ki Pauri remains busy during Ardh Kumbh Mela, Vaisakhi festival, Kanwar Yatra, and Magh Mela. Furthermore, it is one of the four incredible sites in India that host the Kumbh Mela, during which millions of people bathe in the Ganges River.
Har Ki Pauri History
According to the citations of incredible legends, there was a fierce battle between the Devas (gods) and the Asuras (devils) for the pot of Amrit (nectar), which was extracted from the churning of the Sheer Sagar. Seeing this terrible battle, Lord Vishnu presented himself in the form of a beautiful woman and charmed the asuras to obtain the pot containing nectar for the devas.
When the Asuras came to know the real truth about the beautiful woman, they ran after Lord Vishnu to chase the Kalash. While following Vishnu’s urn, a few drops of nectar had fallen at a place now called Brahma Kund in Har-ki-Pauri. After learning about the cultural significance of this place, King Vikramaditya got it built in the 1st century in memory of his brother Bharthari, who used to meditate here on the banks of the Ganges.
SIGNIFICANCE
One of the main attractions for those on a spiritual journey to Uttarakhand, Har Ki Pauri is an enduring landmark of Haridwar. Presently, Har Ki Pauri is a cemented platform on the banks of the river Ganges and is often filled with sadhus, ascetics, beggars, priests, and devotees waiting for a religious bath. The nectar-filled Ganga flowing from Har Ki Pauri is believed to have certain powers, which can purify the body and soul of ‘sinners’. Also, people visit Har Ki Pauri to perform the rites and rituals that are related to the passing away of a loved one. Some even come to offer the first hair of their newborns in the Ganges.
Things to Do In Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar
- Visit the holy site and take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges.
- Experience a new level of sanctity at the Ganga Puja conducted every day by the local priests.
- Buy golden lamps and let them float in holy water with the hope that your wishes will come true.
- Enjoy the beautiful view as the light of the lamps reflects in the water and creates a spectacular aura.
- Take a picture of the devotional spirit of that place and the essence of purity in it.
- Visit the multitude of nearby temples that stand out for their beautiful architecture.
- To taste the local cuisine try the plethora of local eateries available.
Best Time to Visit
Har Ki Pauri is a place that can be visited all around the year. The best time to visit the Har Ki Pauri is in the evening when the cool breeze has a calming effect on everyone. During the summer, the days are quite hot while the nights are a little cold. The rest of the year Har Ki Pauri’s climate is cool and breezy.
How to Reach
As Har Ki Pauri is located in the heart of Haridwar, and is a major attraction for devout tourists, there are plenty of transport options available like buses, auto rickshaws, and cabs. Haridwar can be visited by getting down at the Haridwar Railway Station, while the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport to reach the city by air.
NOTE:- In this article, we cover all the important details regarding Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar like the best time to visit and Activities you can do in this place, Still If you have any other queries you can visit the gov official website of Uttarakhand Tourism. And If you want to know the best places to visit in Uttarakhand then visit our website uttarakhandeyes.com.
