According to legend, Prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had perished due to Sage Kapila’s curse. The penance was answered and the river Ganga trickled for the from Lord Shiva’s locks and its bountiful water revived the sons of King Sagara. In the tradition of Bhagirath, devout Hindus stand in the sacred waters here, praying for the salvation of their ancestors. Haridwar is the kaleidoscope of blissful Indian culture and is also termed as ‘Gateways to Gods’; it is also known as Mayapuri, Kapila as well as Gangadwar. The followers of Lord Shiva (Har) and followers of Lord Vishnu (Hari) pronounce this place as Hardwar and Haridwar respectively.

Holiday Homes at Haridwar – Click here

General Information:

Population: 348142 (Urban) 1991

Area : 2360 sq. kms.

Altitude : 249.7 mtrs.

Climate : Summer –       Maximum – 40.9. C

Minimum – 15.6.C

Winter –      Maximum – 16.6. C

Minimum – 6.C

Clothing : Cotton in Summers and woolen in winters

Best Time to visit : This place is a unique round the year visible tourist destination.

Language : Hindi and English

STD Code : 01334

Pilgrimage :

Har-ki-Pauri

It is said that Yashodharman of Malwa (6^th Century AD) known as King Vikramaditya constructed this sacred Ghat in memory of his brother Bhatrihari who is believed to have come to Haridwar to meditate on the banks of the Ganga. This ghat later came to be known as Har-Ki-Pauri (also called as the Brahamakund). At twilight, golden hues of floral diyas reflected in the river Ganga present the most enchangint sight. The imprint of Lord Hari’s footprint hallows the riverbank temple here. The ghat is regarded the most sacred and auspicious point to take holy dip in the Ganga during the 12 year Kumbh and the 6 year Ardh Kumbh.

Aarti

Every morning from 5 to 6 am, people join together for Aarti. Sprits soar and days are truly begun as people give thanks for this new day and for all are blessed with.

Ganga Aarti is also performed at the time of Sunset. This divine light ceremony is filled with devotional song, prayer, ritual and a palpable sense of the divinity of Mother Ganga. The aarti, an ornate oil lamp, lined with dozens of flames burning in pure ghee is offered to God.

Sapt Rishi Ashram and Sapt Sarovar

According to legent the Saptarshi’s (seven sages) were deep in meditation here. The Ganga, not wanting to disturb them split herself into seven streams (Sapt Sarovar) around them.

Mansa Devi Temple

The temple of Goddess Mansa Devi is situated at the top of Bilwa Parwat. Here one statue of the goddess has three mouths and five arms, while the other statue has eight arms. The temple can be reached by trolley through ropeway (Cable Car) or on foot.

Chandi Devi Temple

The temple of Chandi Devi atop the Neel Parvat on the other bank of river Ganga was constructed in 1929 A.D. by the king of Kashmir Suchat Singh. It is a 3 kms trek from Chandighat. Legend has it that the goddess Chandi here killed the army chief Chanda-Munda of a local demon King Shumbh-Nishumbha after which the place got its name Chandi Devi. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya established the main statue here in 8^th century A.D. One can reach here by trolley through ropeway or on foot. Contact number of ‘Udan Khatola’ (Ropeway) is 01334-220324, Time – 8.30 A.M. to 6. P.M.

Gurukul Kangri

It is situated on the Haridwar-Jwalapur bypass road. It is an old institution known for following a unique Gurukul system of education in India. The Ved Mandir Museum with archaecological exhibits in display can also be seen.

Sati Kund

Sati Kund, another well-known mythological heritage worth a visit is situated in the Kankhal. Legend has it that Sati self-immolated herself in this kund.

Parad Shivling

Situated in Harihar Ashram, Kankhal, Shivling weighing about 150 kg and Rudraksha tree are the main attractions here.

Piran Kaliyar

The tomb Piran Kaliyar of Shabir Shahib in Roorkee is a living example of religious harmony in India, which is visited by the prople of all religious sects from all over the world. ‘Urs’ festival is organized every year on the holy dargah in summer.

Maya Devi Temple

Known as one of the Siddhepeeths, Maya Devi temple is an ancient temple that belongs to the Adhisthari deity of Haridwar. Said to be the places where the hearts and navel of Goddess Sati had fallen.

Daksha Mahadev Temple

The ancient temple of Daksha Mahadev is situated in the south Kankhal town. The mythological story about this place is that King Daksha Prajapati, father of Sati (Lord Shiva’s first wife) performed Yagnya at this place. Daksha Prajapati did not invite Lord Shiva and Sati felt insulted. Therefore she burnt herself in the Yagnya Kund. This incident provoked the disciples and followers of Mahadev who killed King Daksha, but later on Lord Mahadev brought him back to life. Daksha Mahadev temple is thus a tribute to this legend.

Bhimgoda Tank

This tank is at a distance of about 1 km from Har-Ki-Pauri. It is aid that while Pandavas were going to Himalayas through Haridwar, Bhim made this tank with the blow of his knee.

Other Places of Tourist Interest

Haridwar has several other beautifully made Ashrams/temples of significance such as ShantiKunj, Jairam Ashram, Bhuma Niketan, Bharat Mata Mandir, Vaishnav Devi Temple, Radha Krishan temple, Shravan Nath Math, Pawan Dham, Doodhadari temple, Bilkeshwar Mahadev temple, Shahi Gurudwara, Parmarth Ashram, Prem Nagar Ashram, Ma Anand Mai Ashram etc. All of these tourist places are worth seeing.

Accessibility

Air

The nearest Airport is Jollygrant, BhaniWala, Dehradun (41 kms). Air services are available from Delhi.

Rail

Connected with all important Cities of India viz., Mumbai, Delhi, Agra, Kolkata (Howrah), Varanasi, Allahabad, Ujjain, Amritsar, Dehradun, Lucknow, etc.

Road

Haridwar on National Highway no. 45 is well connected to all major cities and other parts of the State viz.

Delhi (214 km)

Ambala (168 km)

Dehradun (52 km)

Saharanpur (81km)

Agra (386km)

Badrinath (325km)

Kedarnath (250 km)

Nainital (286 km)

Local Transport Services : Private Bus servies, Tempo (Vikram), Auto Ricksaw, Tonga, Cycle-Ricksaw & Taxi.

Fairs & Festivals

Haridwar is one place where fairs are being organized with full enthusiasm round th year, such as Somwati Amavasya, Kartik Poornima, Shravan Poornima, Ganga Dussehra and other important bathing dates of Hindu calendar. The kanwad mela during the month of Shravana is very popular among masses in which lakhs of devotees & followers of Lord Shiva comes to Haridwar to take holy water of river Ganga. The pilgrimage comes to an end on Mahashivratri. Apart from these, Purna Kumbh Mela and Ardh Kumbh Mela are also held at an interval of 12 and 6 years respectively. District administration has also organized ‘Haridwar Mahotsava’, a 3-4 day cultural festival on the bank of river Ganga and ‘Ayurveda Mahotsava’. Besides this ‘Urs’ is being organized annually at the holy dargah of Piran Kaliyar in which people of all sects participate and pray for their well being.

Ardh Kumbh & Purna Kumbh Mela

Though all the Hindu festivals are celebrated here with pomp and gaiety, it is the Ardh Kumbh and Purna Kumbh Mela, which attracts large influx of tourists to this place for spiritual solace and rows.

Piran Kaliyar Urs

This Festival is held at Piran Kaliyar Sharif of Roorkee Tehsil in Haridwar District. In this Urs, Jaireens from within and outside the country come in lakhs. The Urs is of about on month, which is held according to the Muslim Calendar near Id-E-Milad.

Kavand Mela

Ten days before Shivteras (during the months of Shravan & Phagun) thousands of devotees (known as Kanwadiyas) usually be barefoot throng to Haridwar & even upto Gaumukh, the source of holy river Ganga to collect holy waters of the river Ganga. Then they carry is back to their hometown and offer it at Shivlingam the local Lord Shiva temple. Colourful shops spring up and Haridwar resounds to the chanting of hymns.

Main Market

What to shop:

Vermillion powder or Sindoor, Brass Utensils for worship ;and sacred beads etc.

Where to Shop: Moti Bazaar, Upper Road, Jwalapur, Bada Bazaar, Kankhal, Railway Road etc.

Main Banks in Haridwar:

State Bank of India                           226103

Punjab National Bank                       226581

Oriental Bank                                   227096, 227643

Union Bank                                                227425

Central Bank                                    227326, 250280

Syndicate Bank                                 227730

Indian Overseas Bank                       260776

Allahabad Bank                                227169

State Bank of Patiala                         227074

Punjab & Sind Bank                         227480, 223864

UCO Bank                                         227982

Canara Bank                                     227208, 220331

Corporation Bank                             265720

Bank of Baroda                                 226671

Post & Telephone Office

Main Post Office, near Kotwali, Haridwar

R.M.S. Railway Station, Haridwar

Post Office, Bhimgoda

Post Office, Kankhal

Post Office, Bhoopatwala

Post Office, Jwalapur
(content courtesy – Uttaranchal Tourism)

Holiday Homes at Haridwar – Click here

Traditional or primitive rafts are constructed of wood or reeds. Modern rafts may also use pontoons, drums, or extruded polystyrene blocks. Inflatable rafts use durable, multi-layered rubberized fabrics. Depending on its use and size, it may have a superstructure, masts, or rudders.

Timber rafting is used by the logging industry for the transportation of logs, by tying them together into rafts, and drifting or pulling them down a river. This method was very common up until the middle of the 20th century but is now used only rarely.

The type of raft used for recreational rafting is almost exclusively an inflatable boat, manufactured of flexible materials for use on whitewater. The modern raft is an inflatable boat, consisting of very durable, multi-layered rubberized or vinyl fabrics with several independent air chambers. The length varies between 3.5 m (11 ft) and 6 m (20 ft), the width between 1.8 m (6 ft) and 2.5 m (8 ft). The exception to this size rule is usually the packraft, which is designed as a portable single-person raft and may be as small as 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) long and weigh as little as 4 pounds (1.8 kg).

Rafts come in a few different forms. In Europe, the most common is the symmetrical raft steered with a paddle at the stern. Other types are the asymmetrical, rudder-controlled raft and the symmetrical raft with central helm (oars). Rafts are usually propelled with ordinary paddles and typically hold 4 to 12 persons. In Russia, rafts are often hand made and are often a catamaran style with two inflatable tubes attached to a frame. Pairs of paddlers navigate on these rafts. Catamaran style rafts have become popular in the western United States as well, but are typically rowed instead of paddled.

Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river’s gradient drops enough to form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current. These days the term has a broader meaning applying to any river or creek that has a significant number of rapids and the term is also used to specify a kind of kayaking, canoeing or rafting on these rivers.

Coming on to whitewater rafting it is a challenging recreational activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid-1970s.

Classes of White Water Rafting
Class I: Easy. Waves small; passages clear; no serious obstacles.

Class II: Medium. Rapids of moderate difficulty with passages clear. Requires experience plus suitable outfit and boat.

Class III: Difficult. Waves numerous, high, irregular; rocks; eddies; rapids with passages clear though narrow, requiring expertise in maneuvering; scouting usually needed. Requires good operator and boat.

Class IV: Very difficult. Long rapids; waves high, irregular; dangerous rocks; boiling eddies; best passages difficult to scout; scouting mandatory first time; powerful and precise maneuvering required. Demands expert boatman and excellent boat and good quality equipment.

Class V: Extremely difficult. Exceedingly difficult, long and violent rapids, following each other almost without interruption; riverbed extremely obstructed; big drops; violent current; very steep gradient; close study essential but often difficult. Requires best person, boat, and outfit suited to the situation. All possible precautions must be taken.

Class VI (or U) : Formerly classified as unrunable by any craft. This classification has now been redefined as unraftable due to people having recently kayaked mulitple Class VI around the world.

Rishikesh Water Rafting
You don’t have to be an expert swimmer to be able to experience the thrill of rafting. Especially when there is well equipped, expert team of friendly instructors with you around. You get to experience the sheer power of Ganges in a true adventurer style. A two day rafting expedition at Rishikesh with us would cover about 36 km of the river and you would return all full of the thrills of the rapids.

River Rafting Trips
An easy rafting tripcovers about 10-kms of river running. First drive to Brahmpuri, and then take a boat to ride the currents of the water of the Ganges. Raft down through the heart of Lachman Jhula, and Geeta Bhawan to Muni-Ki-Reti and witness the numerous ashrams, yoga and meditation institutes and bathing Ghats with pilgrims taking a holy dip in the Ganges river water. Rafting certainly presents a better way to witness Rishikesh – the town of temples, ashrams and the Ghats and above all only do rafting for thrill.

White Water Rafting
The Camp provides facilities of White Water Rafting covering rapids like Sweet Sixteen (Grade-1), Marine Drive (Grade-2), Three Blind Mice (Grade-3), Cross Fire (Grade-3), Roller Coaster (Grade-4) and Golf Course (Grade-4). Grade 4 rapids are undertaken depending upon the expertise of the rafter and the decision of the river guide. There are other rapids as well with as exotic names as above – Wall, Daniel’s Dip, Double Trouble, T-Off, Club House, Black Money etc.

River Rafting from Shivpuri
The best one to start with if you are brave enough. This 16 km stretch involves 7 rapids which includes one Grade IV and one Grade III rapids. Previous rafting experience will help though its not necessary. Kid’s should start with the Brahmapuri Stretch of 9 kms which does not have the Grade IV rapid. Excellent views all around and lots and lots of thrill is guranteed. The Roller Coaster will simply drive you crazy.

Rafting Season in Rishikesh
The suitable period for river running depends on the adequacy of water volume. Thus September-November and March-April-May are most appropriate. Most of the river established river camps near the on the Ganges above Rishikesh operate from the end of September to mid-December, and from mid-February until late April. Tour operators even arrange rafting excursions varying in length from one-day runs to extended camping-rafting expeditions, but advanced booking is required.

Grade of River Rafting in Rishikesh
Grade I – Relaxing – Waves are so small you may not even get wet.
Grade II – Easy does it – Clear passages and moderate waves.
Grade III – Adventurous – Lots of waterslide like waves, rapids with clean passages. Excellent family adventure!
Grade IV – Thrilling – Long rapids, powerful waves.
Grade V – Awesome – Long exciting rapids, big technical drops and steep gradient.
Grade VI – Don’t try this!!
(Grade V and Grade VI rapids are not undertaken for commercial rafting).

Personal Clothing Checklist(for Rafting Package)
T- shirts
Synthetic long sleeved T – Shirts for the river
Rafting sandals (rubber sandals with straps – easily available in all shoe stores very comfortable to wear around camp too)
Shorts / tights
Sun shade
Sunglasses with straps so that you don’t lose them.
Plenty of sunscreen
Light wool sweater/jacket to wear in camp in the evenings.
Flashlight
Misc. – reading/writing material
Personal toilet articles.

SEASON: mid Sept to mid December; mid January to end April.

RAFTING STRETCHES

Basic:  Brahmpuri - 09 kms - II+  - 2 hrs - First timers/ Non-swimmers – Rs.400/-
Standard:  Shivpuri -16 kms - III+ -3 hrs -First timers/ Non swimmers – Rs.550/-
Moderate:  Marine Drive -25 kms - IV+ - 4 hrs - Swimmers with prior rafting – Rs.800/-
Advanced:  Kaudiyala - 36 kms - IV, V - 6 hrs - Swimmers with prior rafting- Rs.1100/-

Just drop us an enquiry or call 9830788403.

Those who visited Haridwar one year back will now be wondering to see the new face of the holy city. Wide, clean and pothole free roads, shining bathing ghats, new bridges and general cleanness. This change is visible even before we enter the city from Roorkee or Dehradun. “Haridwar witnessed the biggest ever developmental activities in the last three decades for this Kumbh beginning from January 14. It almost changed the face of the entire city,” a site picked out the views of a travel agent from the place while on the other hand during conversation with a friend of mine who was there during the holy bath expressed something different. Well, he was visiting Kumbh since years and according to him the administration thereat is far from satisfaction at least during the beginning of Kumbh. We will find it out ourselves during the 2nd Shahi Snan.

“Our endeavour is that no devotee visiting Haridwar during the Kumbh should face any difficulty” – said Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’. Only Rs 50 to 60 crore used to be spent for Kumbh preparations so far. But this time we have spent over Rs 550 crore. The permanent construction work is over and the work at temporary projects too is at the final stage,” said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.

According to the government estimates, more than six crore pilgrims are expected to have a dip in this Kumbh. The government has made adequate arrangements for them. Central Cabinet Secretary Shri Chandrasekhar recently visited Haridwar and expressed full satisfaction over the preparedness for Mela by the State government.

Apart from permanent construction, the government has also made some temporary arrangements. Temporary camps have been set-up for about 12 lakh saints, 40,000 officers and other staff members. During the 2004 Kumbh, more than 10 million devotees including saints, priests and yogis from all corners of India as well as the world, had participated.

The total Kumbh area is 130 square kilometres sprawling in Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri and Pauri revenue districts. Entire Kumbh Mela area has been divided into 12 zones and 32 sectors. These sectors include Bahadrabad, Jwalapur, Ranipur, Kankhal, Daksheshwar Dweep, Sati Dweep, Bairagi Camp, Mayapur, Belwala, Gaurishankar, Chandi Devi, Neeldhara, Chila, Laljiwala, Rodi, Haridwar, Mansa Devi, Har Ki Pauri, Kangra Dweep, Pant Dweep, Bhim Gaura, Moti Chur, Bhopatwala, Sapt Sarowar, Raiwala, Shyampur, Rishikesh, Chandrabhaga, Muni ki Reti, Swargashram, Laxman Jhula and Neelkanth.

According to Organiser Mela Officer Shri Anand Vardhan – 31 police stations and 41 police chowkies have been established in the Mela area for maintenance of law and order. Thirty six fire stations have also been established to control any incident of fire. A Central Control Room (CCR) with all modern communication systems has been established for monitoring of devotees inflow to avoid any crowd pressure in the core area round the clock.

Thirty-four police stations and 42 makeshift posts have been set up besides the 36 temporary fire stations. Public announcement systems have been set up at every nook and corner of the city along with CCTV cameras zooming in on all activities in the mela.
A state-of-the-art central control room has been set up besides a grand media centre for hundreds of journalists who have thronged the city from across the country and abroad.

Hotels and lodges have put out shiny boards offering various schemes and discounts. What is been pushed as an added incentive by lodge managers is the “free veg onion free breakfast” offer to all who stay with them.

Men, women and children outnumbered the sadhus, who are expected to throng the city only after January 26 as the official entrance of the ‘akharas’ will begin then. Kumbh Mela 2010

The first ‘shahi snan’ or royal bath is scheduled for February 12 when the akhara chiefs also join the devotees.

Medical preparedness
According to Shri Anand Vardhan the medical preparedness has been taken-up on priority basis. A total of 4,700 beds have been notified in various hospitals including 1,360 in government hospitals within the Mela area, 400 in private hospitals, 677 in government hospitals out of Mela area and 2,303 in private hospitals out of the Mela area. Deployment of health staff includes 12 class one and senior medical officers, 264 general medical officers, 606 paramedical staff, 192 non-medical staff, 50 ambulances and 14 EMRI ambulances. On the medical front, Kumbh officials have earmarked about 4,700 beds including 1,360 in government hospitals inside the Mela area, 400 in private hospitals.

The health staff available round-the-clock includes about 12 senior medical officers, 264 general medical officers, 606 paramedics, 192 non-medical staff, 50 ambulances and 14 EMRI ambulances.

Precautions for Swine Flue
A training programme for medical and paramedical personnel to update their knowledge on Swine Flu has already been conducted as per the guidelines of the Union Health Ministry. Identification of Influenza Like Illness (ILI), suspects of swine flue for referral, investigations and management will be done as per the guidelines. SPS hospital, Rishikesh and Civil Hospital of Roorkie have been identified with ICU facilities.

Bathing Ghats
The main and common reason for one to attend the Kumbh is to take dip in the Ganga. It is believed that a dip in the sacred river during the Kumbh takes one out of the circle of life and death. Pilgrims and sadhus in large number visit Haridwar to liberate themselves. There are four main bathing ghats in Haridwar including Har Ki Pauri, Asthi Parwah Ghat, Subhash Ghat and Gau Ghat. Rather it is difficult to count the number of bathing ghats at the Ganga from Rishikesh to Haridwar, as some people have made their own private ghats. The actual number of bathing ghats during this Kumbh will be more than 300. They include 117 ghats in Haridwar and around 200 in Rishikesh. About 80 lakh devotees will be able to have a dip in the Ganga on these ghats. The Mela administration has decided to grant at least 10 minutes to each devotee for the snan. Over 60,000 devotees will be able to have a bath only at the Har Ki Pauri at a time. Total length of the bathing ghats available in the Kumbh is 25 km. It is expected that about one crore devotees will have a bath in the Ganga on the Shahi Snan day i.e., April 14. Hence, the capacity of ghats has been increased accordingly.

One thing came into our notice though, the Hotels are charging much higher rates than expected, it can be anticipated that Hotels will make a hike in their tariffs due to Kumbh, but to what extent? Any ordinary Hotel demanding roughly 2000/- per day is not fair enough though its fair time. Isn’t it?

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 the role of rope used in the manthan. Lord Bishnu took the avtar of Kurma and he took Mandar Parbat on his back. During the manthan process, one by one Puspak Ratha, Airabat hasti, Parijat Puspa, Koustava, Laxmi, Suravi and at last Dhanwantari came out with Amritakumbha. Dhanwantari handed over the Kumbha to Indra Devta. Indra then gave the custody of the Amrita Kumbha to his son Jayanta. Instigated by the Devta’s, Jayanta ran way with the kumbha towards Swarga. Asuracharya Sukra got very much annoyed with this and ordered Asura’s to capture the kumbha. War broke out between Devta’s and Asura’s. The battle lasted for twelve days and then the Devta’s were defeated. During this period, Devta’s hid the kumbha in four places which were Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik.

Since then, Kumbhamela is held at this four places. Since twelve days in Devlok is equivalent to twelve years in Earth. A Purna Kumbh takes place after every twelve years and a Ardha Kumbh after every six years.

Since Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon) and Brihaspati were appointed to protect the kumbha during the battle. The holy snan (bath) is scheduled at the confluence of this three. It has been believed that if one can take a bath at the punya tithi, he will not have to take a rebirth as human and can avail mukti

There is a misconception that Kumbha Mela is held alternatively in these four places which is not true. Each place has its own Purna and Ardha Kumbh Mela.

Har ki Pauri
This sacred Ghat was constructed by King Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Bhartrihari. It is believed that Bhartrihari eventually came to Haridwar to meditate by the banks of holy Ganga. When he died, his brother constructed a Ghat in his name which later came to be known as Har-Ki-Pauri. This sacred bathing ghat is also known as Brahmakund Ghat. Vikramaditya remains an enigma; some historians date his reign to 57 BC, others to the sixth century AD. The reflection of golden hues of floral diyas in the river Ganga is the most enchanting sight in the twilight during the Ganga Aarti ceremony.

Subhash Ghat
Subhash Ghat, with a statue of the freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, is adjacent to Har-Ki-Pauri. The Sewa Samiti, another voluntary organization, runs a dispensary here and also assists pilgrims.

Gau Ghat
South of Subhash Ghat is Gau Ghat, where people seek atonement for the sin of cow-slaughter (gau means cow). The unique veneration of cow in India goes back 3500 years. The cow was “Kamadhenu”, the fulfiller of desires, and a cherished item of wealth. Death ceremonies were completed with the pious act of donating a cow. The sin of killing a cow is “equal to the sin of killing a Brahmin”.

Parwah Ghat
Immediately south of the main Ganga temple is the Asthi Prawah Ghat, where the ashes of the dead are immersed in the Ganga, in the belief that as with the 60,000 sons of Sanger, the cooling waters of the river will bestow salvation upon the departed soul.

Hari Sharanam Satsanga Bhavan, Ananda Van, Haripur Kalan

Sri Bhrama Nivas Ashram, Sapta Sarover Marg

Vivek Niketan, Ananda Van, Sapta Sarover

Sri Sadhu Guru Kabir Gurukul Ashram, Sapta Sarover

Sri Madhwashram, Haripur Kalan, Sapta Sarover

Soham Ashram, Bhupatwal

Yogananda Yogashram, Sapta Sarover, Ananda Van

Umeshwar Dham, Sapta Sarover Marg

Parmarth Ashram, Sukhdevananda Trust, Sapta Sarover

Jai Maa Ashram, Motichoor

Shivananda Ashram, Sapta Sarover Marg

Siddeshwar Mahadev mandir, Jigyasu Ashram, Sapta Sarover Marg

Mataji’s Ashrams in Haridwar

These ashrams are exclusively for womens in Haridwar. Herer are details of some of them:-

Janki Mai Ashram ,Bhima Goda

Radha Mai Ashram ,Bhima Goda

Sita Mai Ashram ,Bhima Goda

Mira Krishna Kunj ,Bhima Goda

Lalita Yoga Ashram ,Bhima Goda

Navajyoti Ashram ,Bhima Goda

Anandamai Maa, Daksha Prajapati, Kankhal

Tripura Yoga Ashram, Kankhal

Basanti Ashram, Kankhal

Santoshi Ashram, Kankhal

Mahila Milan Mandir, Kankhal

Parvati Ashram, Kankhal

Balabharti Ashram, Kankhal

Bhuma Shakti Peeth, Sanyas Marg, Kankhal

Gita Bharti, Kankhal

Santoshi Maa Ashram ,Shravana Nath Nagar

Ashram – Radha Mai Ashram ,Shravana Nath Nagar

The Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years at Haridwar and Allahabad, while the Purna (complete) Kumbh always takes place at Allahabad every twelve years. Over 45 days beginning in January 2007, more than 70 million Hindu pilgrims took part in the Ardh Kumbh Mela at Allahabad, and on January 15, the most auspicious day of the festival of Makar Sankranti, more than 5 million participated.

The Maha Kumbh Mela (’Great’ Kumbh Mela) which comes after 12 ‘Purna Kumbh Melas’ which is after every 144 years is also held at Allahabad. The 2001, Maha Kumbh Mela was attended by around 60 million people, making it the largest gathering anywhere in the world.

Timing

According to Indian astrology, it is celebrated when the planet of Brihaspati (Jupiter) moves into the zodiac sign of Aquarius or Kumbha. Each sites celebration dates are calculated in advance according to a special combination of zodiacal positions of Sun, Moon, and Jupiter.

Etymology

Kumbha is a Sanskrit word for Pitcher, sometimes referred to as the Kalasha, it is also a zodiac sign in Indian astrology for Aquarius, the sign under which the festival is celebrated, while Mela means ‘a gathering’ or ‘a meet’, or simply a fair.