Haridwar

Haridwar is the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttarakhand. It is also the starting point on the journey to the sacred sources of the Ganga and the Yamuna Rivers. Associated with both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishn, Haridwar is among the seven sacred cities of India. According to legend, Prince Bhagirath performed penance here […]

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Rafting in Rishikesh

Well, to start with, lets look into the definitions of Rafting and its evolution. Wiki says “A raft is any structure, with a flat top, that floats on water. It is the most basic of boat design, characterized by the absence of a hull. Instead, rafts are kept afloat using any combination of buoyant materials […]

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Kumbh Mela – Shahi Snan Images

An outlook at Purna Kumbh Mela at Haridwar. The shots were taken during the Pratham Shahi Snan (1st Royal Bath) which took place on 12th Feb 2010.

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

History of Kumb Mela

The origin of the Kumbh is quite old and associated with Samudramanthan (churning of the primordial dea) and during the Samudramanthan Kalasha (pot of nectar of immortality). Purana says that in the north of Himalayas, in the Khirasamudra, Devtas and the Asuras jointly conducted Samudramanthan. Mandar Parbat acted as Manthana Danda and Basuki Nag played […]

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Bathing Ghats in Kumbh Mela

Bathing in the holy river on the auspicious occasion of Kumbh Mela is the most important activity for millions of people in India. A large tented city is erected and pilgrims stay at tents owned by Pandas (religious and spiritual guides) and at various ashrams. Others will just camp on the ground or turn up […]

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Ashrams/Dharamshala in Haridwar

Haridwar is also known as a place of Dharamshala’s. There are roughly more than 300 Ashrams and Dharamshalas in Haridwar which can accommodate more than 20000 pilgrims during Kumbh, Ardh Kumbha and other important occasion in Haridwar. This Ashrams and Dharamshala’s provide basic facilities and in return they charge very nominal fees. Here are details […]

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Kumbh Mela – At a glance

Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage. It occurs four times every twelve years and rotates among four locations: Allahabad (Prayag) at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati river, Haridwar along the Ganga river, Ujjain along the Kshipra river and Nashik along the Godavari river.

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009