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{{Copy edit|date=October 2025}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Haridwar
| other_name         = Mayapuri
| official_name      = 
| settlement_type    = City
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| total_width              = 230
| image_style              = 
| perrow                   = 1/2/2/2/1
| image1= Ganga aarti haridwar 01.jpg
| image2 = Chandidevi temple5.JPG
| image3 = Evening view of Har-ki-Pauri, Haridwar.jpg
| image4 = The River Ganga at Haridwar.jpg
| image5 = Shiva statue by the Ganges, across Har-ki-Pauri, Haridwar.jpg
| image6 = Chandi Devi temple, ropeway.jpg
| image7 = Mansadevi temple2.JPG
| image8 = Haridwar Junction Railway Station (Oct 18, 2011).jpg
}}
| image_caption      = '''Clockwise from top:''' <br /> Evening view of [[Har Ki Pauri]], [[Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar|Chandi Devi Temple]], <br /> [[Gondola lift|Ropeway]] to Chandi Devi, view of the [[Ganges|Ganga River]], <br /> [[Haridwar railway station]], [[Aarti|Ganga Aarti]] at Har Ki Pauri, Shiv Murti during sunset and the [[Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar|Mansa Devi Temple]].
| nickname           = 
| image_map          = 
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flagicon image|Flag of Uttarakhand.svg}} [[Uttarakhand]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of districts of Uttarakhand|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Haridwar district|Haridwar]]
| established_title1 = 
| established_date1  = 
| established_title2 = Municipality
| established_date2  = 1868
| founder            = 
| government_type    = [[Municipal Corporations in India|Municipal Corporation]]
| governing_body     = [[Haridwar Municipal Corporation]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Kiran Jaisal
| leader_party       = [[BJP]]
| leader_title2      = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha MP]]
| leader_name2       = [[Trivendra Singh Rawat]] ([[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]])
| leader_title3      = [[Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly|MLA]]
| leader_name3       = [[Madan Kaushik]] ([[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]])
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_rank          = 
| area_total_km2     = 105
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 314
| population_total   = 228,832<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/800359-hardwar-uttarakhand.html|title=Hardwar Nagar Palika Parishad City Population Census 2011-2024 &#124; Uttarakhand|website=www.census2011.co.in}}</ref>
| population_as_of   = 2011
| population_metro   = 231,338
| population_rank    = 
| population_demonym = 
| population_footnotes = <ref name=census>{{cite web | title = haridwar City Population Census of India, 2011 | publisher = Office of the Registrar General, India | date = 2 March 2002 |url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/28-hardwar.html| access-date = 23 August 2015}}</ref>
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = {{hlist|[[Hindi]]|[[Sanskrit]]}}
| demographics1_title2 = Native
| demographics1_info2 = [[Kauravi dialect|Khariboli]]
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code        = 249401
| area_code_type     = Telephone code
| area_code          = +91-1334
| registration_plate = UK-08
| blank1_name_sec1   = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| blank1_info_sec1   = 1.18<ref name=census/> [[male|♂]]/[[female|♀]]
| website            = {{URL|https://haridwar.nic.in/}}
| pushpin_map        = India Uttarakhand#India
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| coordinates        = {{coord|29.945|N|78.163|E|display=inline,title}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Haridwar''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|h|ʌr|ɪ|ˈ|d|w|ɑːr}}; {{IPA|hi|ɦəɾɪd̪waːɾ|lang|Haridwar.ogg}}; formerly '''Mayapuri'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} District Haridwar, Government of Uttarakhand {{!}} India |url=https://haridwar.nic.in/history/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>) is a city and municipal corporation in the [[Haridwar district]] of [[Uttarakhand]], India. With a population of 228,832 according to 2011 census, it is the second-largest city in the state and the largest in the district.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0513_PART_B_DCHB_HARDWAR.pdf|title=District Census Handbook, Hardwar|date=29 January 2011|website=censusindia.gov.in|access-date=29 January 2011}}</ref> Haridwar is located at the south western part of the state. By law, no meat, fish, & eggs are sold within the city. The reason for such prohibition is to maintain the religious purity and holiness of the pilgrimage city.

The city is situated on the right bank of the [[Ganges]] river, at the foothills of the [[Sivalik Hills|Shivalik ranges]]. Haridwar lies in a [[Doab|doab region]] where people speak [[Kauravi dialect|Khari Boli]], which is a dialect of Hindi. The other districts of doab region lie in [[Western Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite journal|date=29 January 2011|title=District Census Handbook, Hardwar|url=http://censusindia.gov.in|journal=Census of India 2011|pages=5–7}}</ref> Haridwar is regarded as a holy place for [[Hindu]]s, hosting important religious events and serving as a gateway to several prominent places of worship. The word 'Haridwar' means ''the gateway to the Lord Hari''. The most significant of the events here is the [[Kumbha Mela]], which is celebrated every 12 years in Haridwar. During the [[Haridwar Kumbh Mela]], millions of Hindu pilgrims, devotees, and tourists congregate in Haridwar to perform ritualistic bathing on the banks of the Ganges to wash away their sins to attain ''[[moksha]]''.

According to Puranic legend, Haridwar, along with [[Ujjain]], [[Nashik]], and [[Prayagraj|Prayag]], is one of four sites where drops of ''[[amrita]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-04|title=इस पौराणिक कथा से जानिए क्यों लगता है कुंभ का मेला? – mobile|url=https://www.punjabkesari.in/dharm/news/kumbh-mela-story-related-samudra-manthan-1326800|access-date=2021-11-13|website=punjabkesari}}</ref> the elixir of immortality, accidentally spilled over from a ''[[kumbha]]'' (pitcher) while being carried by the celestial bird deity [[Garuda]] just after the ''[[samudra manthan|Samudra Manthana]]'', or the churning of the ocean of milk.<ref name="sahaja" /> ''Brahma Kund'', the spot where the amrita fell, is believed to be located at [[Har ki Pauri]] (literally, "footsteps of the Lord") and is considered to be the most sacred ''[[ghat]]'' of Haridwar.<ref name="Madan">{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/178 178]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> 

Haridwar is also the primary centre of the [[Kanwar Yatra|Kanwar pilgrimage]], in which millions of participants gather [[Sacred waters|sacred water]] from the Ganges and carry it across hundreds of miles to dispense as offerings in [[Shiva]] shrines.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Uprising of the Fools|last=Singh|first=Vikash|publisher=Stanford University Press|year=2017|isbn=9781503601673}}</ref> 

Haridwar is additionally a passage for the [[Chota Char Dham]] (the four principal pilgrim destinations in Uttarakhand: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath). 

Today, the city is developing beyond its religious importance with the fast-developing industrial estate of the [[State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand]] (SIDCUL), and the close by township of [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited]] (BHEL), as well as its affiliated ancillaries.

==Etymology==
[[File:Haridwar Aerial view.jpg|thumb|Meandering main [[Ganga river]], known here as ''Neel Dhara'' (left) and the Ganga canal (right), passing through Haridwar.]]
The modern name of the town has two spellings: ''Haridwar and Hardwar''. Each of these names has its own connotation.

In [[Sanskrit]], the liturgical language of Hinduism, ''[[Hari]]'' means [[Vishnu]], while ''dvāra'' means "gateway". So, ''Haridwar'' translates to "The Gateway to Vishnu". It earns this name because it is typically the place where pilgrims start their journey to visit a prominent temple of  Vishnu: [[Badrinath Temple]].

Similarly, ''Hara'' could also mean "[[Shiva]]".<ref name="sahaja">[http://sahajaharidwar.tripod.com/About_Haridwar.html About Haridwar] sahajaharidwar.</ref> Hence, ''Hardwar'' could stand for "Gateway to  Shiva". Hardwar is also a typical place for pilgrims to start their journey in order to reach [[Mount Kailash]], [[Kedarnath]], the northernmost [[Jyotirlinga]] and one of the sites of the smaller ''[[Char Dham]]'' pilgrimage circuit – all important places for worship for Hindus.

According to legend, it was in Haridwar that goddess [[Ganga in Hinduism|Ganga]] descended when [[Shiva]] released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. The [[River Ganga]], after flowing for {{convert|253|km|mi}} from its source at [[Gaumukh]] at the edge of the [[Gangotri Glacier]], enters the [[Gangetic Plain]] for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára.

{{wikisource|Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1832/Hurdwar, a Place of Hindoo Pilgrimage|Hurdwar, a picture by S. Prout with a poetical illustration by L. E. L.}}
In the annotations to her poetical illustration ''Hurdwar, a Place of Hindoo Pilgrimage'', [[Letitia Elizabeth Landon]] provides information on this name derivation, and also the story of the supposed origin of the [[River Ganga|'River Ganges']]. The accompanying plate is engraved from a painting by [[Samuel Prout]].<ref>{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1832|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=8MpcAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PA2|section=poetical illustration|year=1831|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1832|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=8MpcAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PA5|section=picture|year=1831|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}</ref>
In sacred writings, it has been differently specified as "Kapilasthan", "Gangadwar" and "Mayapuri". 
==History==
{{Main|Haridwar in scriptures}}

[[File:Ganga Mahabalipuram.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Prince [[Bhagiratha]] in penance for the salvation of 60,000 of his ancestors]]
In the scriptures, Haridwar has been variously mentioned as Kapilasthana, Gangadvāra<ref name=sacred>[http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/india/hardwar.html Places of peace and power] sacred sites.</ref> and '''Mayapuri'''. It is also an entry point to the [[Char Dham]] (the four main centres of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand ''viz'', [[Badrinath]], [[Kedarnath]], [[Gangotri]], and [[Yamunotri]]).

[[File:Shiva Bearing the Descent of the Ganges River, folio from a Hindi manuscript by the saint Narayan LACMA M.86.345.6.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Gangadhara, [[Shiva]] bearing the Descent of the [[Ganges river|Ganges River]] as [[Parvati]] and Bhagiratha, and the bull [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]] look on. c. 1740]]

{{Quote box
|quote = "O [[Yudhishthira]], the spot where Ganga rusheth past, cleaving the foremost of mountains which is frequented by [[Gandharvas]] and [[Yakshas]] and [[Rakshasas]] and [[Apsaras]], and inhabited by hunters, and [[Kinnaras]], is called ''Gangadwara'' (Haridwar). O King, [[Sanatkumara]] regardeth that spot visited by [[Brahmarshi]]s, as also the [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|Tirtha]] [[Kankhal|Kanakhala]] (that is near to it), as sacred."|source = [[The Mahabharata]], Vana Parva: Tirthayatra Parva: Section XC.<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03090.htm Yudhishthira] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]], translated by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] (1883 -1896), Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirthayatra Parva: Section XC, p 204.</ref>
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In the [[Vana Parva]] of the [[Mahabharat]]a, where sage Dhaumya tells [[Yudhishthira]] about the [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|tirtha]]s of India, Gangadvāra, i.e., Haridwar and [[Kankhal]], have been referred to,<ref>[http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07006.htm Historical, Cultural and Social Perspectives] Chapter 3, The Cultural Dimension of Ecology, Baidyanath Saraswati, 1998, [[Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts]]. {{ISBN|81-246-0102-X}}. ignca.nic.in. Vanaparva (The Book of the Forest) is third Parva, book of Mahabharata.</ref> the text also mentions that Sage [[Agastya]] did penance (an act showing sorrow or regret for sin) here, with the help of his wife, [[Lopamudra]] (the princess of [[Vidharba]]).<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03097.htm Lopamudra] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]], translated by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] (1883 -1896), Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirthayatra Parva: Section XCVII.</ref>

Sage [[Kapila]] is said to have an ashram here, giving it its ancient name, Kapila or Kapilasthana.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Stevenson|first1=William|last2=Burn|first2=Richard|last3=Sutherland|first3=James|last4=Hope|first4=Herbert|title=The Imperial Gazetteer of India V2|publisher=Oxford, Clarendon Press|page=52|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V13_058.gif|access-date=4 May 2017}}</ref>

The legendary king, [[Bhagiratha]], the great-grandson of the [[Suryavansha|Suryavamsha]] King [[Sagara (Vedic king)|Sagara]] (an ancestor of [[Rama]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantemples.com/beliefs/gangadesc.htm|title=The Descent of the Ganges|website=indiantemples.com}}</ref> is said to have brought the river Ganges down from heaven, through years of penance in [[Satya Yuga]], for the salvation of 60,000 of his ancestors from the curse of the Sage [[Kapila]]. This is a tradition continued by thousands of devout Hindus, who bring the ashes of their departed family members, in hope of their salvation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hardwar.com/|title=Haridwar Travel Agent, Haridwar Rishikesh Tour, Haridwar Yatra|website=hardwar.com}}</ref>  Vishnu is said to have left his footprint on the stone that is set in the upper wall of Har Ki Pauri, where the Ganges touches it at all times.

Haridwar came under the rule of the [[Maurya Empire]] (322–185 BCE), and later under the [[Kushan Empire]] (c. 1st–3rd centuries). Archaeological findings have proved that [[terra cotta]] culture dating between 1700 BCE and 1200 BCE existed in this region.<ref name=history>[http://haridwar.nic.in/history.htm#history Haridwar History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210151555/http://haridwar.nic.in/history.htm |date=10 December 2007 }} '' Haridwar Official website''.</ref> The first modern era written evidence of Haridwar is found in the accounts of a Chinese traveller, [[Xuanzang|Huan Tsang]], who visited India in 629 CE.<ref name="kub">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204733/http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/K/kumbhmela/intro_trad.html Kumbh Mela] ''[[Channel 4]].''</ref> during the reign of [[Harsha|King Harshavardhana]] (590–647) records Haridwar as 'Mo-yu-lo', the remains of which still exist at Mayapur, a little to the south of the modern town. Among the ruins are a fort and three temples, decorated with broken stone sculptures,<ref name=gaze/><ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/ Digital Library] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', Oxford, 1908, Vol.13, p.51.</ref><ref>{{EB1911 |wstitle=Hardwar |volume=12 |page=944 |inline=1}}</ref> he also mentions the presence of a temple, north of Mo-yu-lo called 'Gangadvara', Gateway of the Ganges.<ref name=gaze/>[[File:Head of Ganges Canal, Haridwar, 1894-1898.jpg|thumb|Head of the [[Ganges Canal]], Haridwar, ca ''1894–1898.'']]
[[File:Haridwar from opposite bank of the Ganges, 1866.jpg|thumb|Haridwar from the opposite bank of the Ganges, 1866]]

Haridwar came under the rule of the [[Delhi Sultanate]] in 1206.

The city also fell to the Central Asian conqueror [[Timur|Timur Lang]] (1336–1405) on 13 January 1399.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V02_401.gif&volume=2 History] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 2, p. 570.</ref>

During his visit to Haridwar, first Sikh Guru, [[Guru Nanak]] (1469–1539) bathed at 'Kushawart Ghat', wherein the famous, 'watering the crops' episode took place,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gurmat.info/sms/smspublications/gurunanakforchildren/chapter7/.|title=Guru Nanak (for Children) – A New Way of Teaching|first=Amarpreet Singh|last=Munde|website=gurmat.info}}</ref><ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/skh/tsr1/tsr107.htm Life Of Guru Nanak: Chapter IV] ''The Sikh Religion, Volume 1'', by [[Max Arthur Macauliffe]] (1842–1913), Oxford University Press (1909). ''page 50-52''.</ref> his visit is today commemorated by a [[gurudwara]] (Gurudwara Nanakwara), according to two Sikh [[Janamsakhis]], this visit took place on the [[Baisakhi]] day in 1504 CE, he later also visited [[Kankhal]] en route to [[Kotdwara]] in [[Garhwal Kingdom|Garhwal]].<ref name=janam>[http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf Janasakhi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324124627/http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf |date=24 March 2012 }} [[Janamsakhis]] of ''Miharban'' and ''Mani Singh'', Janamsakhi Tradition, Dr. Kirpal Singh, 2004, Punjabi University, Patiala. {{ISBN|81-7205-311-8}}. www.globalsikhstudies.net.</ref> Pandas of the Haridwar have been known to keep genealogy records of most of the Hindu population. Known as ''Vahis'', these records are updated on each visit to the city, and are a repository of vast family trees of the family in North India.<ref name=janam/>

In the 16th century, the city came under the rule of the [[Mughals]]. ''[[Ain-e-Akbari]]'', written by [[Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak|Abul Fazal]] in the 16th century during the reign of [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] [[Mughal Emperor|Emperor]] [[Akbar]], refers to it as Maya (Mayapur), known as Hardwar on the [[Ganges]]", as seven sacred cities of Hindus. It further mentions it is eighteen [[Kos (unit)|kos]] (each approx. 2&nbsp;km) in length, and large numbers of pilgrims assemble on the 10th of Chaitra.<ref>[http://persian.packhum.org/persian/main?url=pf%3Ffile%3D00702050%26ct%3D0 Sacred Places of Pilgrimage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714022016/https://persian.packhum.org/persian/main?url=pf%3Ffile%3D00702050%26ct%3D0 |date=14 July 2018 }} ''Ain-e-Akbari'', Vol. III, p. 306.</ref> It also mentions that during his travels and also while at home, Mughal Emperor, Akbar drank water from the Ganges river, which he called 'the water of immortality'. Special people were stationed at Sorun and later Haridwar to dispatch water, in sealed jars, to wherever he was stationed.<ref>[http://persian.packhum.org/persian/main?url=pf%3Ffile%3D00702015%26ct%3D48%26rqs%3D60 Hardwar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920062933/http://persian.packhum.org/persian/main?url=pf%3Ffile%3D00702015%26ct%3D48%26rqs%3D60 |date=20 September 2011 }} ''Ain-e-Akbari'', by [[Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak|Abul Fazl 'Allami]], Volume I, A´I´N 22. The A´bda´r Kha´nah. P 55. Translated from the original Persian, by [[Heinrich Blochmann]] and Colonel Henry Sullivan Jarrett, Asiatic Society of Bengal. Calcutta, 1873–1907. "His Majesty calls this source of life "the water of immortality," and has committed the care of this department to proper persons... Both at home and on travels, he drinks Ganges water."</ref>

During the Mughal period, Haridwar had a mint for Akbar's copper coinage at Haridwar. It is said that Raja [[Man Singh]] of [[Amber, India|Amber]], laid that foundation of the present-day city of Haridwar and also renovated the ghats at Har Ki Pauri. After his death, his ashes are also said to have been immersed at Brahma Kund. [[Thomas Coryat]], an English traveller, who visited the city in the reign of Emperor [[Jahangir]] (1596–1627) mentions it as 'Haridwara', the capital of Shiva.<ref name=gaze/>

One of the two major dams on the river Ganges, the Bhimgoda, is situated here. Built in the 1840s, it diverts the waters of the Ganges to the Upper Ganges Canal, which irrigated the surrounding lands. Though this caused severe deterioration to the Ganges water flow, and is a major cause for the decay of the Ganges as an inland waterway, which till the 18th century was used heavily by the ships of the [[Honourable East India Company|East India Company]], and a town as high up as [[Tehri]], was considered a port city The headworks of the [[Ganges Canal]] system is located in Haridwar. The Upper Ganges Canal was opened in 1854 after the work began in April 1842,<ref name=Ganges>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V12_144.gif Upper Ganges Canal] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', 1909, v. 12, p. 138.</ref> prompted by the famine of 1837–38. The unique feature of the canal is the half-kilometre-long [[aqueduct (bridge)|aqueduct]] over the Solani river at [[Roorkee]], which raises the canal {{cvt|25|m}} above the original river.
[[File:United Provinces 1903.gif|thumb|Haridwar as a part of the [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh|United Province]], 1903]]

'Haridwar Union Municipality' was constituted in 1868, which included the then villages of Mayapur and [[Kankhal]]. Haridwar was first connected with railways, via [[Laksar]], through branch line in 1886, when the [[Awadh]] and [[Rohilakhand]] Railway line was extended through [[Roorkee]] to [[Saharanpur]], this was later extended to [[Dehradun]] in 1900.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V21_381.gif Trade and Communications] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 21, p. 375.</ref>

In 1901, it had a population of 25,597 and was a part of the [[Roorkee]] [[tehsil]], in [[Saharanpur]] district of the [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh|United Province]],<ref name=gaze>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V21_330.gif Roorkee Town] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 21, p. 324.</ref> and remained so till the creation of [[Uttar Pradesh]] in 1947.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V13_059.gif History] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 13, p. 53.</ref>

Haridwar has been an abode of the weary in body, mind, and spirit. It has also been a centre of attraction for learning various arts, science, and culture. The city has a long-standing position as a great source of [[Ayurveda|Ayurvedic]] medicines and herbal remedies and is home to the unique [[Gurukul]] (school of traditional education), including the [[Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya]], which has a vast campus, and has been providing traditional education of its own kind, since 1902. The development of Haridwar took an upturn in the 1960s, with the setting up of a temple of modern civilisation, [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited|BHEL]], a '[[Maharatna]] [[Public Sector Undertaking|PSU]]' in 1975, which brought along not just a its own township of [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Ranipur|BHEL, Ranipur]], close to the existing Ranipur village, but also a set of ancillaries in the region. The [[University of Roorkee]], now [[IIT Roorkee]], is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutes of learning in the fields of science and engineering.

==Geography and climate==
[[File:Main Ganga river, before the Bhimgoda barrage, Haridwar.jpg|thumb|''[[Neeldhara Bird Sanctuary]]'' at the main Ganges Canal, before [[Bhimgoda Barrage]], also showing signs of an ancient port]]

The Ganges emerges from the mountains to touch the plains. The water in the river Ganges is mostly clear and generally cold, except in the monsoon, during which soil from the upper regions flows down into it.

The river Ganges flows in a series of channels separated from each other called aits, most of which are well wooded. Other minor seasonal streams are Ranipur Rao, Pathri Rao, Ravi Rao, Harnaui Rao, Begham Nadi etc.<ref name=urban>{{cite web |url=https://www.tentaran.com/best-five-places-visit-haridwar/ |title=Five Best Places to Visit in Haridwar |date=June 2019 |website=tentaran.com |access-date=2022-07-15 |archive-date=13 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113153034/https://www.tentaran.com/best-five-places-visit-haridwar/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> A large part of the district is forested, and [[Rajaji National Park]] is within the bounds of the district. Rajaji is accessible through different gates; the Ramgarh Gate and Mohand Gate are within {{cvt|25|km}} of Dehradun, while the Motichur, Ranipur and Chilla Gates are just about {{cvt|9|km}} from Haridwar. Kunaon Gate is {{cvt|6|km}} from [[Rishikesh]], and [[Laldhang]] gate is {{cvt|25|km}} from [[Kotdwara]].

Haridwar district, covering an area of about {{cvt|2360|km2}}, is in the southwestern part of Uttarakhand state of India.

Haridwar is situated at a height of {{cvt|314|m}} from the sea level, between [[Shivalik Hills]] in the North and Northeast and the Ganges River in the South.<ref name=urban/>

===Climate===
{{Expand section|date=May 2010}}
Temperatures:
* Summers: {{cvt|25 to 44|°C}}
* Winters: {{cvt|−1 to 24|°C}}<ref>[http://www.gmvnl.com/newgmvn/districts/haridwar/ New District] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830035914/http://www.gmvnl.com/newgmvn/districts/haridwar/ |date=30 August 2008 }} Haridwar, www.gmvnl.com.</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Haridwar
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes

|Jan high C = 20
|Feb high C = 22
|Mar high C = 27
|Apr high C = 33
|May high C = 36
|Jun high C = 34
|Jul high C = 31
|Aug high C = 30
|Sep high C = 30
|Oct high C = 29
|Nov high C = 26
|Dec high C = 22

|Jan low C = 7
|Feb low C = 9
|Mar low C = 13
|Apr low C = 18
|May low C = 21
|Jun low C = 23
|Jul low C = 23
|Aug low C = 23
|Sep low C = 21
|Oct low C = 17
|Nov low C = 11
|Dec low C = 8

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 72
|Feb precipitation mm = 76
|Mar precipitation mm = 78
|Apr precipitation mm = 55
|May precipitation mm = 113
|Jun precipitation mm = 296
|Jul precipitation mm = 599
|Aug precipitation mm = 568
|Sep precipitation mm = 301
|Oct precipitation mm = 102
|Nov precipitation mm = 23
|Dec precipitation mm = 91

|source = [http://www.sunmap.eu/weather/asia/india/uttarakhand/haridwar Sunmap]
|date=May 2012}}

==Cityscape==
[[File:Har ki pauri panoramic view1.jpg|center|1000px|thumb|Panoramic view of [[Har ki Pauri]]]]
[[File:Panorama of Haridwar City.jpg|center|1000px|thumb|Panorama of Haridwar city from [[Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar|Mansa Devi Temple]]]]
[[File:Panoramic View of Haridwar City from Mansa Devi Temple.jpg|center|1000px|thumb|Panoramic View of Haridwar City from Mansa Devi Temple]]

==Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar==
{{Main|Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar}}[[File:Main bathing Ghat, Hurdwar (Haridwar), 1880s.jpg|thumb|Main bathing Ghat, at Haridwar, in the 1880s.]]

For centuries when Hindu ancestors visited the holy town of Haridwar for any purpose, it has been a custom to go to the Pandit who is in charge of one's family register and update the family's [[family tree]] with details of marriages, births, and deaths from ones extended joint family.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcSyvvreJKs |title=The Largest Handwritten Family Tree in the World |date=2018-10-11 |last=Great Big Story |access-date=2024-11-24 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{bar box
|title=Religions in Haridwar City (2011)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/data/religion/district/586-haridwar.html|title=Haridwar District Religion Data - Hindu/Muslim|website=www.census2011.co.in}}</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|darkorange|82.66}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|15.70}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity]]|blue|0.26}}
{{bar percent|[[Jainism]]|pink|0.13}}
{{bar percent|Others†|black|1.2}}
|caption=Distribution of religions<br />
†<small>Includes [[Sikh]]s (1%), [[Buddhism|Buddhists]] (<0.2%).</small>
}}

{{As of|2011}} India census, Haridwar district has population of 1,890,422 (2011). In 2001, the population was 1,447,187.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref>

Haridwar city has a 310,562 population (2011). Males constitute 54% of the [[population]] and females, 46%. Haridwar has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 64%. In Haridwar, 12% of the population is under six years of age.

==Religious sites==
{{Cquote|"Haridvāre Kuśāvarte Bilvake Nīla parvate<br />
snatvā Kanakhale tīrth punarjanma na vidyate"}}

In [[Hindu]] traditions, the 'Panch [[Tirtha and Kshetra|Tirth]]' (Five Pilgrimages) within Haridwar, are "Gangadwar" ([[Har ki Pauri]]), ''Kushawart'' (Ghat in [[Kankhal]]), ''Bilwa Tirtha'' ([[Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar|Mansa Devi Temple]]) and ''Neel Parvat'' ([[Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar|Chandi Devi Temple]]). There are several other temples and ashrams located in and around the city, a list of which can be found below. Also, alcohol and non-vegetarian food is not permitted in Haridwar.

===Har Ki Pauri===
[[File:Clock Tower, at Har-ki-Pauri, Haridwar.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Clock Tower of Haridwar|Clock Tower]] on the ''Malviya Dwip'' at Har Ki Pauri.]]
{{Main|Har ki Pauri}}
[[File:Third Shahi Snan in Hari Ki Pauri.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Haridwar Kumbh Mela]] is held in every 12 years and the date is determined by [[Hindu astrology]].]]
This ghat was constructed by King [[Vikramaditya]] (1st century BCE) in memory of his brother [[Bharthari (king)|Bharthari]]. It is believed that Bharthari came to Haridwar and meditated on the banks of the holy Ganges. When he died, his brother constructed a ghat in his name, which later came to be known as Har Ki Pauri. The most sacred ghat within Har Ki Pauri is Brahmakund. The evening prayer ([[Aarti]]) is offered at dusk to [[Goddess Ganga]] at Har Ki Pauri (steps of God Hara or Shiva). A spectacle of sound and colour is seen when after the ceremony, pilgrims float ''Diyas'' (floral floats with lamps) and incense on the river, commemorating their deceased ancestors. Thousands of pilgrims from all around the world make a point to attend this prayer on their visit to Haridwar. 
On the night of Dussehra or a few days before that, the Ganga Canal is dried in Haridwar to clean the riverbed. The water is restored on Diwali. It is believed that on Dussera Maa Ganga goes to her father's house and returns after Bhai Duj or Bhai Phota. It is for this reason that the waters in the Ganga canal in Haridwar are partially dried on the night of Dussehra and the waters are restored on the day of Bhai Duj or Bhai Phota.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://personal.carthage.edu/jlochtefeld/indiajterm/hd.html|title=Haridwar|website=personal.carthage.edu|access-date=1 March 2007|archive-date=27 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127111545/http://personal.carthage.edu/jlochtefeld/indiajterm/hd.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131016/dplus.htm|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Dehradun Plus|website=The Tribune|location=Chandigarh}}</ref>

===Chandi Devi Temple===
[[File:Chandi Devi Mandir,Haridwar.JPG|thumb|[[Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar]]]]
{{Main|Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar}}
The temple is dedicated to Goddess [[Chandi]], who sits atop the 'Neel Parvat' on the eastern bank of the river Ganges. It was constructed in 1929 CE by the king of [[Kashmir]], Suchat Singh. [[Skanda Purana]] mentions a legend, in which ''Chanda-Munda'', the Army Chief of a local Demon Kings ''Shumbha'' and ''Nishumbha'' were killed by goddess [[Chandi]] here, after which the place got the name, Chandi Devi. 

It is believed that the main statue was established by the [[Shankaracharya|Adi Shankaracharya]] in the 8th century CE. The temple is a {{cvt|3|km}} trek from Chandighat and can also be reached through a ropeway. The temple's present structure was built in 1929 AD by Suchat Singh, a ruler of Kashmir.

The temple had an 800-year-old ritual animal sacrifice tradition wherein a goat was sacrificed on the ''[[Navaratri|Saptmi]]'' to Goddess Chandi. In 2015, the tradition was stopped by the head priest citing lowered acceptance by locals.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-10-23 |title=Animal sacrifice stopped in Chandi Mandir |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/animal-sacrifice-stopped-in-chandi-mandir/articleshow/49509327.cms |access-date=2025-10-09 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

===Mansa Devi Temple===
[[File:Mansadevi temple10.JPG|thumb|[[Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar]]]]
[[file:Mansadevi temple5.JPG|thumb|Ropeway to [[Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar]]]]
{{Main|Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar}}
The temple of Goddess [[Mata Mansa Devi Mandir|Mansa Devi]] is situated at the top of the Bilva Parvat, literally means 'goddess fulfilling desires'. The main temple houses two idols of the Goddess, one with three mouths and five arms, while the other one has eight arms.

===Maya Devi Temple===
{{Main|Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar}}
Haridwar was previously known as Mayapuri which is because of the Goddess Maya Devi. Dating to the 11th century CE, this ancient temple of Maya Devi, the ''Adhishthatri Devi'' (Patron Goddess) of Haridwar, is considered one of the Siddhapithas and is said to be the place where the heart and navel of Goddess [[Dakshayani|Sati]] had fallen. It is one of few ancient temples still standing in Haridwar, along with Narayani Shila temple and Bhairav Temple.

=== Makarvahini Temple ===
Located close to the Birla Ghat, near Laltarao Pul is a temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Pioneer|first=The|title=Veggies adore this goddess on 'Ashtami puja'|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2016/state-editions/veggies-adore--this-goddess-on-ashtami-puja.html|access-date=2020-08-09|work=The Pioneer|location=India|language=en}}</ref> This temple was established by Jayandra Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti, a few decades ago.<ref>{{Cite web|title=यहां सब्जी और फलों से किया जाता है मां का श्रृंगार|url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/uttarakhand/vegetables-and-fruits-are-offered-to-goddess-in-haridwar-uttarakhand-841443.html|access-date=2020-08-09|website=News18 India|date=22 October 2015 }}</ref> The temple, built in South-Indian style, has a traditional custom of decorating the goddess with vegetables and dry fruits, giving her the title of Shakumbhari on Ashtami Pooja, the eighth day of Navratri.<ref name=":0" />

===Kankhal===
[[File:Das Mahavidya temple, Daksheswara Mahadev temple.JPG|thumb|Das Mahavidya temple, Daksheswara Mahadev temple]]
[[File:Bholanath Sevashram temple by the Ganges, Haridwar.jpg|thumb|Bholanath Sevashram temple by the Ganges, Haridwar]]
{{Main|Daksheswara Mahadev Temple}}
The ancient temple of [[Daksha]] Mahadev also known as Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple has situated in the south [[Kankhal]] town. According to Hindu texts, King [[Daksha]] [[Prajapati]], father of [[Dakshayani]],  Shiva's first wife, performed a yagña, to which he deliberately did not invite  Shiva. When she arrived uninvited, he was further insulted by the king, seeing which Sati felt infuriated and self-immolated herself in the ''yagna kund''. King Daksha was later killed by [[Virabhadra]], born out of Shiva's anger. Later the king was brought to life and given a goat's head by [[Shiva]]. Daksha Mahadev temple is a tribute to this legend.

Sati Kund, another historical heritage is situated in the [[Kankhal]]. Legend has it that Sati immolated herself in this ''kund''.

===Bharat Mata Mandir===
{{Main|Bharat Mata}}
Bharat Mata Mandir is a multi-storey temple dedicated to ''[[Bharat Mata]]'' (Mother India). ''Bharat Mata Mandir'' was inaugurated on 15 May 1983 by [[Indira Gandhi]] on the banks of the river Ganges. It is situated adjacent to the ''Samanvaya Ashram'', and stands eight stories tall to a height of {{convert|180|ft|m}}. Each floor depicts an era in the Indian history, from the days of [[Ramayana]]{{dubious|that is not history, it is a religious epic|date=June 2011}} until India's independence.

On the first floor is the statue of ''Bharat Mata''. The second floor, ''Shur Mandir'', is dedicated to the well-renowned heroes of India. The third floor ''Matri Mandir'' is dedicated to the achievements of India's revered women, such as [[Radha]], [[Mira Bai|Mira]], [[Savitri and Satyavan|Savitri]], [[Draupadi]], [[Ahilya (Hindu mythology)|Ahilya]], [[Anusuya]], [[Maitreyi]], [[Gargi]] etc. The great saints from various religions, including [[Jainism]], [[Sikhism]], and [[Buddhism]] are featured on the fourth floor ''Sant Mandir''. The assembly hall with walls depicting symbolic coexistence of all religions practised in India and paintings portraying history in various provinces is situated on the fifth floor. The various forms of the Goddess [[Shakti]] can be seen on the sixth floor, whilst the seventh floor is devoted to all incarnations of  [[Vishnu]]. The eighth floor holds the shrine of [[Shiva]].{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

The temple was built under the former Shankaracharya Maha-Mandleshwar [[Swami Satyamitranand]] Giri Maharaj.  Since the inception of the Swami Satyamitranand foundation in 1998, several other branches have been opened, namely in Renukut, Jabalpur, Jodhpur, Indore, and Ahmedabad. It is presently under The Junapeethadheesh, Acharya Shree Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj.

===Piran Kaliyar===
[[Piran Kaliyar Sharif]], built by [[Ibrahim Lodhi]], a ruler of Delhi, this 'Dargah' of Hazrat [[Alauddin Sabir Kaliyari]], a 13th-century, Sufi Saint of [[Chishti Order]] (also known as [[Sarkar Sabir Pak]]), in Kaliyar village, {{cvt|7|km}} from [[Roorkee]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adotrip.com/city-detail/haridwar|title=Haridwar : History, Sightseeing, How To Reach & Best Time To Visit|website=Adotrip}}</ref> is visited by devotees from all over the world, during the annual '[[Urs]]' festival, which is celebrated from 1st day of sighting the moon to 16th day of [[Rabi al-awwal]] month, in the [[Islamic calendar]].

===Other temples and ashrams===
Dudhadhari Barfani Temple, part of the ashram of Dudhadhari Barfani Baba, was constructed from shining white marble and honours [[Rama]]-[[Sita]] and Hanumana.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}[[Sureshwari Devi Temple|Sureshvari Devi Temple]], a temple dedicated to the goddess Sureshwari, is situated in the middle of Rajaji National Park, and thus is only accessible with permission from forest rangers. Pawan Dham is a modern temple made entirely of glass pieces, which is now a tourist destination.
[[File:Shiva statue by the Ganges, across Har-ki-Pauri, Haridwar.jpg|thumb|left|Shiva statue by the Ganges, across Har-ki-Pauri, Haridwar]]
One of the most sacred temples in Haridwar is Tirupati Balaji Mandir. The temple, which is built in the Dravidian architectural style, is located {{cvt|4.5|km}} away from Har Ki Pauri. It is a major pilgrimage centre of Haridwar in Uttarakhand. The image of the temple deity represents both  Vishnu and  Shiva ( Vishnu is considered as the preserver whereas  Shiva is considered as the destroyer in Hindu religion).

Sapt Rishi Ashram at Sapt Sarovar, near the bank of the Ganga, is a meditation and yoga centre. The Ashram, established in 1943 by Guru Goswami Dutt, provides lodging, meals and free education for poor kids. Sapt Rishi Ashram, as its name would suggest, was the place where seven sages, namely Kashyapa, Vashisht, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jamadagi, Bharadwaja and Gautam, meditated. As per the mythological records, when all the sages were meditating, they were disturbed by the gushing sound of river Ganges. Annoyed and irritated due to sound, all seven of them were trapped in the flow of the river. Later, Ganges River splits into seven water streams so there is less noise. Those seven river streams are now known as Sapt Sarovar, and the point where the seven sages meditated is called as Saptrishi Ashram.

[[File:Haridwar Jain temple (1).jpg|thumb|right|Shri Chintamani Parshwnath Jain Shwetambar Mandir]]
In the Harihar Ashram, Kankhal, the Parad Shivalinga (Mercury Shivalinga) weighing about 150&nbsp; kg and a [[Rudraksha]] tree are the main attractions for pilgrims and tourists.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} The Ramanand Ashram, situated in the Shravan Nath Nagar district near the railway station, is the main ashram of Ramanand Sampraday in Haridwar. The Uma Maheswar Sanyas Ashram lies on the banks of the Ganga, in Bairagi Camp; while the Anandamayi Maa Ashram is located in [[Kankhal]], one of five sub-cities of Haridwar, and houses the samadhi shrine of [[Sri Anandamoyi Ma]] (1896–1982), a noted saint of India. [[Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Kankhal]] was established in 1901 by [[Swami Kalyanananda|a monastic disciple]] of [[Swami Vivekananda]]. [[Shantikunj]] is the headquarters of the spiritual and social organisation All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP) established by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. Located {{cvt|6|km|spell=in}} from Haridwar railway station, at the bank of the Ganges and under the Shivalik Himalayas, it is a place of attraction for tourists as well as seekers of spiritual guidance.

[[File:Patanjali center.jpg|left|thumb|Pantanjali Yogpeeth]]
The Shri Chintamani Parshwnath Jain Shwetambar Mandir was built in 1990 by Jain saint Shri Padam Sagar Suri. This temple is built by Jaisalmer stone in Jain architectural style. Moolnayak of this temple is a black coloured idol of Chintamani Parshwnath Bhagwan in Padmasan posture. Idols of Shri Parshv Yaksha and Mata Padmawati on both sides of the main idol. There is also an idol of Rishabhanatha made up of white marble. There is small temple of Shri Ghantakaran Mahavir Ji and charan-paduka's (foot imprints) near this temple. The temple also has a dharmshala for accommodation of around 1000 pilgrims at a time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jainsamaj.org/rpg_site/literature2.php?id=2596&cat=40&subcat=123&subsubcat=43 |title=Archived copy |access-date=19 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827215650/http://www.jainsamaj.org/rpg_site/literature2.php?id=2596&cat=40&subcat=123&subsubcat=43 |archive-date=27 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haridwarrishikeshtourism.com/haridwar-temples.html|title=Haridwar Temples, Haridwar Temple Tour, List of Temples in Haridwar|last=haridwarrishikeshtourism.com|website=haridwarrishikeshtourism.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://jinalay.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/shri-chintamani-parshwnath-jain-shwetambar-mandir-haridwar-uttarkhand/|title=Shri Chintamani Parshwnath Jain Shwetambar Mandir, Haridwar, Uttarkhand|date=18 January 2016}}</ref>

The [[Patanjali Yogpeeth]] is situated in Haridwar-Delhi Highway. This is a yoga institution and research centre of [[Swami Ramdev]]. Every day thousands of people come here for yoga and other purposes. The Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama is a branch of the worldwide [[Ramakrishna Movement]]. The Mission centre was founded in 1901, and the Math centre was started in 1980. The Math centre conducts daily worship and bhajans, and fortnightly Ramnam Sankirtan.

== Seven holy places (Sapta Puri) ==
[[File:ganga aarti haridwar 02.jpg|thumb|Ganga Aarti at Haridwar]]
{{Main|Sapta Puri}}

"Ayodhyā Mathurā Māyā Kāśī Kāñcī Avantikā <br />
Purī Dvārāvatī caiva saptaitā mokṣadāyikāḥ" – ''[[Garuda Purana|Garuḍa Purāṇa]] I XVI .14''

''[[Ayodhya]], [[Mathura]], Haridwar, [[Varanasi|Kasi]], [[Kanchipuram|Kanchi]], [[Ujjain|Avantika]] and [[Dwarka|Dwaraka]] are the seven holy places.''<ref>{{cite book |last=Kramrisch |first=Stella |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NNcXrBlI9S0C&pg=PA3 |title=The Hindu Temple |date=25 February 2018 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=9788120802230 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

Note the use of the puranic name 'Maya' for Haridwar. As also the inter-change usage of [[Puri]] and [[Dwarka|Dwaraka]].

The ''Garuḍa Purāṇa'' enumerates seven cities as the giver of ''Moksha''. Haridwar is said to be one of the seven most holy [[Hindu]] places (=''[[Kshetra|Kṣetra]]'') in India. A Kṣetra is sacred ground, a field of active power, a place where ''[[Moksha]]'', final release can be obtained.

== Culture ==

=== Cuisine ===
In 2002 meat sales were banned in the main city of Haridwar. The ban was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-31 |title='Kannadigas are not Dravidians': Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin's Ugadi wishes spark debate |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/kannadigas-are-not-dravidians-tamil-nadu-cm-mk-stalins-ugadi-wishes-spark-debate-101743393029957.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250331121958/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/kannadigas-are-not-dravidians-tamil-nadu-cm-mk-stalins-ugadi-wishes-spark-debate-101743393029957.html |archive-date=31 March 2025 |access-date=2025-03-31 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref> No meat, fish, or eggs are sold within the city limits.<ref>{{Cite web |title=7 Indian Cities Where Non-Vegetarian Food Is Banned |url=https://vocal.media/earth/7-indian-cities-where-non-vegetarian-food-is-banned |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Earth |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-05-31 |title=7 Indian cities in which non-vegetarian food is prohibited and banned |url=https://kalingatv.com/miscellany/7-indian-cities-in-which-non-vegetarian-food-is-prohibited-and-banned/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=KalingaTV |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Educational institutions ==

===Acharyakulam===
Situated in Haridwar-Delhi highway, it is the part of Patanjali group. 'Acharyakulam' was inaugurated on 26 April 2013. This is a residential institution.

===Gurukula Kangri University===
Situated in [[Kankhal]], at the banks of the river Ganges, [[Gurukul Kangri Mahavidyalaya|Gurukul Kangri University]] is one of the oldest Universities of India, it was founded in 1902 by [[Swami Shraddhananda]] (1856–1926), according to the tenets of [[Swami Dayananda Saraswati]], the founder of [[Arya Samaj]]. It has also been visited by British Trade Union leader [[Charles Freer Andrews]] and British prime minister, [[Ramsay MacDonald]], to study the unique [[Gurukul]] based education system. Here Ancient Vedic and Sanskrit literature, Ayurveda, Philosophy are part of the curriculum besides Modern Sciences and Journalism. Its 'Archaeological Museum', (established 1945) houses some rare statues, coins, paintings, manuscripts, and artefacts, starting from [[Indus Valley civilisation]] culture (c. 2500–1500 BCE). [[Mahatma Gandhi]] visited the campus three times, and stayed in its sprawling and serene campus for extended periods of time, most notably during the 1915 [[Kumbh mela]],<ref name=Rishikesh>[[s:The Story of My Experiments with Truth/Part V/Lakshman Jhula|Kumbh Mela 1915]] [[The Story of My Experiments with Truth]]/Part V/Lakshman Jhula.</ref> followed by a visit in 1916, when on 20 March, he spoke at Gurukul Anniversary.<ref>[[s:Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life/India 1916|Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life/India 1916]] Wiki Source.</ref>

===Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya===
[[Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya]] was established in 2002 by the act of the Uttarakhand Government is a fully residential university. Run by Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, [[Shantikunj]], Haridwar (headquarters of [[All World Gayatri Pariwar]]), it provides various degree, diploma and certificate courses in areas like Yogic Science, Alternative Therapy, Indian Culture, Tourism, Rural Management, Theology, Spiritual Counseling, etc. It also provides courses through [[distance learning]].

===Uttarakhand Sanskrit University===
Set up by the Government of Uttarakhand, the university is dedicated to studies of ancient Sanskrit scriptures and books. It also has a curriculum covering ancient Hindu rituals, culture, and tradition, and boasts of a building inspired by ancient Hindu architecture style.

===Chinmaya Degree College===
Situated in [[Shivalik Nagar, Haridwar|Shivalik Nagar]], {{cvt|10|km}} from Haridwar city. one of the science colleges in Haridwar.

===HEC PG College===
It was established in the year 2002. HEC College provides Undergraduate, Postgraduate, PG diploma courses. The courses are in the field of commerce, Management, Science, Lib. Science and Arts and it is affiliated to HNB Garhwal University, Sri Nagar, Garhwal, and Sri Dev Suman Uttarakhand University, Badshahithol, Tehri Garhwal.

===Sheel Institute===
Situated in [[Shivalik Nagar, Haridwar|Shivalik Nagar]], {{cvt|10|km}} and Second Branch Old Ranipur More, Haridwar city. one of the Best Computer Institute in Haridwar.

===Other colleges===
There are two State Ayurvedic College & Hospital in Haridwar, one is Rishikul State Ayurvedic College (has PG level courses) and the other is Gurukul Ayurvedic College.

===Other schools===
* [[Delhi Public School Society|Delhi Public School]], Haridwar
* [[Kendriya Vidyalaya]], B.H.E.L. Haridwar
* [[DAV Central Public School]], Jagjeetpur
* [http://achievershome.com/ Achievers Home Public School, Jagjeetpur]
* Children Foundation Academy, Haridwar
* Shivedale School, Jagjeetpur
* [http://www.bmlgreenmedows.com/ BML Munjal Green Medows School, Bahadarabad],<ref>{{Cite web |title=BML Munjal Green Medows School Haridwar, Haridwar: Admission, Fee, Affiliation |url=https://school.careers360.com/schools/bml-munjal-green-medows-school-haridwar |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=school.careers360.com |language=en}}</ref> Haridwar

==Important areas within the city==
'''[[Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited, Ranipur|B.H.E.L., Ranipur Township]]'''
The campus of [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited]], a [[Maharatna]] [[Public Sector Undertaking]] (PSU) is spread across an area of {{cvt|12|km2}}. The main factory consists of two divisions: the Heavy Electricals Equipment Plant (HEEP), and the Central Foundry Forge Plant (CFFP). Together they employ over 8000 skilled employees. The campus is divided into six sectors providing excellent residential, schooling and medical facilities.

'''[[Bahadrabad]]&nbsp;– {{cvt|7|km}}'''
It is located on the Haridwar–Delhi National Highway at a distance of {{cvt|7|km}} from Haridwar. Close by, in village Pathri, lies the [[Bhimgoda Barrage]] built on the Upper Ganges Canal in 1955. It also has a block development office responsible for many developed villages (e.g. Khedli, Kisanpur Rohalki, Atmalpur Bongla, Sitapur, Alipur, Salempur).

'''SIDCUL&nbsp;– {{cvt|5|km}}'''
A massive industrial area, spread over {{cvt|2034|acre}}, developed by [[State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand]] ([[SIDCUL]]), a state government body. With the arrival of big enterprises like [[ITC (company)|ITC]], [[Hindustan Unilever Limited]], [[Dabur]], [[Mahindra & Mahindra]], Havells and Kirby, SIDCUL is set to develop into another industrial township within the city. {{cvt|3|km|spell=in}} away from the Delhi-Hardwar National Highway, SIDCUL lies adjacent to the [[Ranipur, Uttarakhand|BHEL Township]], an important Public Sector township.

'''[[Shivalik Nagar, Haridwar|Shivalik Nagar]]'''
One of the newest and biggest residential areas of Haridwar. It is divided into various clusters. It was originally developed as a residential colony for BHEL employees, but with the advent of SIDCUL, population and financial activity has grown rapidly in the area due to its proximity.

==Transport==
[[File:Haridwar Railway station.JPG|right|thumb|Haridwar Railway station]]
[[File:Rickshaw-Driver-Haridwar AB.jpg|right|thumb|Rickshaw drivers in Haridwar]]
Haridwar is headquarters of Haridwar district and it has good connectivity with the other towns of the district and the [[Uttarakhand|state]].

===Road===
[[National Highway 58 (India)|National Highway 58]], between [[Delhi]] and [[Mana Pass]] passes through Haridwar connecting it with [[Ghaziabad, India|Ghaziabad]], [[Meerut]], [[Muzzafarnagar]], [[Roorkee]] and [[Badrinath]] and [[National Highway 74 (India)|National Highway 74]] originating from Haridwar connects it with [[Najibabad]], [[Kashipur, Uttarakhand|Kashipur]], [[Kichha]], [[Nagina]], [[Pilibhit]] and [[Bareilly]]. Haridwar is well connected to all major cities by bus. Buses from Delhi to Haridwar are available daily, more than 150 buses are available.

===Rail===
The [[Haridwar Railway Station]] located in Haridwar is under the control of the [[Northern Railways|Northern Railway]] zone of the [[Indian Railways]]. It has direct links the major cities of [[India]] such as [[Kolkata]], [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Chennai]], [[Gorakhpur]], [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Madgaon]], [[Jaipur]], [[Jodhpur]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Patna]], [[Gaya (India)|Gaya]], [[Varanasi]], [[Prayagraj|Allahabad]], [[Bareilly]], [[Lucknow]], [[Puri]], and major cities of [[Central India]] namely [[Bhopal]], [[Ujjain]], [[Indore]], [[Khandwa]], [[Itarsi]].

===Air===
The nearest domestic airport is [[Jolly Grant Airport]] in [[Dehradun]] which is located {{cvt|35|km}} from Haridwar. [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] in [[New Delhi]] is the nearest International Airport which is located {{cvt|220|km}} from Haridwar.

==Industry==
Haridwar is rapidly developing as an important industrial township of Uttarakhand since the state government agency, SIIDCUL established in 2002, set up the Integrated Industrial Estate in a district attracting many important industrial houses which are setting up manufacturing facilities in the area. According to list of allottee provided by SIIDCUL, the industrial estate is home to over 650 companies currently.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Allottee of Industrial Estate - BHEL |url=https://www.siidcul.com/upload/industrialEstate/LOA_IIEHaridwar1442649742.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130234305/https://www.siidcul.com/upload/industrialEstate/LOA_IIEHaridwar1442649742.pdf |archive-date=2020-11-30 |website=www.siidcul.com}}</ref>

Haridwar has an industrial area situated at the bypass road, comprising mainly ancillary units to PSU, [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited|BHEL]], which was established here in 1964 and currently employs over 8000 people.

== Notable people ==
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2022}}
{{Div col|small=no}}
* [[Pilot Baba]]
* [[Hans Ji Maharaj]]
* [[Vijay Singh Gujjar]]
* [[Satpal Maharaj]]
* [[Prem Rawat]]
* [[Urvashi Rautela]]
* [[Charles Orman]]
* [[Ernest Burdett]]
* [[Rishabh Pant]]
* [[Narender Pal Singh]]
* [[Beatrice Harrison]]
* [[Louisa Durrell]]
* [[John Duncan Grant]]
* [[Usha Verma]]
* [[Vijay Bose]]
* [[Naresh Bedi]]
* [[Raza Ali Abidi]]
* [[Krishna Chandra Sharma]]
* [[Unwan Chishti]]
* [[Shriya Saran]]
* [[Kunwar Pranav Singh]]
* [[Ram Dayal Singh]]
{{Div col end}}

==In art and literature==
Besides ''Hurdwar, a Place of Hindoo Pilgrimage'' referred to above, an engraving of a painting entitled {{ws|[[s:Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in ''Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book'', 1838/Hurdwar—The Gate of Vishnoo|''Hurdwar, The Gate of Vishnou'']]}} by William Purser with a poetical illustration by [[Letitia Elizabeth Landon]] was published in ''Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book'', 1838.<ref>{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1838|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=49BbAAAAQAAJ&pg=GBS.PA10|section=poetical illustration|page=42|year=1837|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1838|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=49BbAAAAQAAJ&pg=GBS.PA12|section=picture|year=1837|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Hinduism}}
* [[Ahilyabai Holkar]]
* [[Dhangar]]
* [[Garhwali people]]
* [[Gurjars]]
* [[Tyagi]]s

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
* ''Gateway to the Gods: Haridwar-Rishikesh''. Rupinder Khullar, Reeta Khullar. 2004, UBS Publishers. {{ISBN|81-7476-460-7}}.
* [http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00generallinks/blavatsky/10baghcaves.html#hardwar Hardwar Mela] ''From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan (1879–80)'', by [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] (1831–1891).
* ''Report'', by [[Archaeological Survey of India]], [[Alexander Cunningham]]. Published by Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, 1871. Chapt 30: Haridwar or Gangadwara, p.&nbsp;231–236.
* Chapter XVII: Himalayas, Hardwar. ''India, Past and Present'', by Charles Harcourt Ainslie Forbes-Lindsay. Published by J.C. Winston, 1903. ''Page 295''.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Haridwar}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikisource|The Story of My Experiments with Truth/Part V/Kumbha Mela|Mahatma Gandhi at Kumbha Mela, 1915}}
* {{wikivoyage inline|Haridwar}}
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* [http://haridwar.nic.in/ Official website of Haridwar district.]

{{Hindu holy cities}}
{{Haridwar district}}
{{Municipalities of Uttarakhand}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Uttarakhand}}

[[Category:Haridwar| ]]
[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Haridwar district]]
[[Category:Tourism in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Shaivism]]
[[Category:Vaishnavism]]
[[Category:Cities in Uttarakhand]]