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Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar

Har Ki Pauri is a famous ghat on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This revered place is the major landmark of the holy city of Haridwar. Literally, "Har" means "Lord Shiva" who is the god according to shaivite Rishav Bhagwan school of Hindu theology, "Ki" means "of" and "Pauri" means "steps". Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are believed to have visited the Brahmakund in Har Ki Pauri in the Vedic times.

It is believed that it is precise spot where the Ganges leaves the mountains and enters the plains. The ghat is on the west bank of Ganges canal through which the Ganges is diverted just to the north. Har Ki Pauri is also the area where thousands of pilgrims converge and the festivities commence during the Kumbha Mela, which takes place every twelve years, and the Ardh Kumbh Mela, which takes place every six years and the Punjabi festival of Vaisakhi, a harvest festival occurring every year in the month of April.

Shiv Ghat.
In the distance, on the right side, we can see the Shiv Setu Bridge and Har Ki Pauri.


Hanuman statue.
Hanuman is a Hindu god and a divine vanara companion of the god Rama. Hanuman is one of the central characters of the Hindu epic Ramayana.

  • Hanuman became more important in the medieval period and came to be portrayed as the ideal devotee (bhakta) of Rama. Hanuman's life, devotion, and strength inspired wrestlers in India.
  • See more at Hanuman - Wikipedia.

Mansa Devi Temple.
The temple of Goddess Mansa Devi is situated at the top of the Bilva Parvat, literally means 'Goddess fulfilling desires'.

  • Mansa is a tourist destination, Especially because of the mountain cable cars which offer city views.
  • The main temple houses two idols of the Goddess, one with three mouths and five arms, while the other one has eight arms.
  • See more at Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar - Wikipedia.

Har Ki Pauri seen from the Shiv Setu Bridge.

Pilgrims sitting next to Shiv Setu Bridge railing.

People bathing in Har Ki Pauri.
On the left side we can see the Ganga Mata Temple. In the center we can see the Clock Tower.


Bathers are of all ages.

Har Ki Pauri seen from the southwest.
On the left side we can see the Ganga Mata Temple. In the center we can see the Clock Tower.


Ganga Aarti Sthal.
It is on these platforms that the priests perform the Ganga Aarti ceremonies.


Bathers have to hold on to an anchored chain to avoid being carried away.
Hindus consider the waters of the Ganges to be both pure and purifying.

  • Regardless of all scientific understanding of its waters, the Ganges is always ritually and symbolically pure in Hindu culture.
  • Nothing reclaims order from disorder more than the waters of the Ganga.
  • Moving water, as in a river, is considered purifying in Hindu culture because it is thought to both absorb impurities and take them away.
  • The swiftly moving Ganga, especially in its upper reaches, where a bather has to grasp an anchored chain to not be carried away, is especially purifying.
  • What the Ganges removes, however, is not necessarily physical dirt, but symbolic dirt; it wipes away the sins of the bather, not just of the present, but of a lifetime.
  • See more at Ganges, The Purifying Ganges - Wikipedia.

Ganga Aarti Sthal.
The platforms where the priests perform the Ganga Aarti ceremonies are suspended over the Ganges River.


Har Ki Pauri seen from the northwest.

Shiva Statue and Maa Ganga Statue by the Ganges, across Har Ki Pauri.
The Shiva statue is located in Swami Vivekanand Park. The statue of Maa Ganga is located in the middle of the Ganges river.


Har Ki Pauri seen from the northwest.

Pedestrian path next to the Ganges River.

See also

Source

Location

Location: Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249401, India