46 Mantra, Sloka And Prayer Poems
called Gangadwar in the Puranas. It is Haridwar to the Vaishnavas
and Hardwar to the Shaivas.
Haridwar stands at the foot of the mountain Shaibalaka. The Ganges
has met the plains here. 'Har-Ki-Piari Ghat' is the most beautiful
among all the wharfs of the Ganges. The Gangadwar temple is close
to it. Worships and prayers are held regularly in this temple. The
evening Arati with waving lamps is very attractive here. After every
twelve years the famous Kumvafair sits at Hardwar. This is the time
when millions of pilgrims assemble here to take baths in the Ganges
and to participate in the fair. Taking Ganga-baths along with a
kumva or pitcher in Haridwar helps one to enter the sacred world of
Vishnu.
There are many temples in Hardwar. Famous among them are the
temples of Chandidevi and Mayadevi. Close to Hardwar stands the
Shiva temple of Dakshmineshwar. The Dakshmajagga (sacrifice of
Dakshma) happened here. Besides, there are many more temples like
Rhishir Ashram, Bholagiri Ashram, Gitabhaban etc.
Badarikashram
Badarikashram is a famous place of pilgrimage. It is in the Uttar
Pradesh of India. At present it is called Badrinath. Many people
opine that some parts of the Vedas and the Upanishada were written
here. The idol of Shiva has been placed in Kedarnath and that of
Vishnu in Badrinath.
Seven hundred years ago the kings of Garoal placed the idols of
Shiva and Vishnu in this temple. The peak of the temple is wrapped
with gold. There is a Lakshmi temple in the campus. The hermitage
of noble-hearted Vyasadeva is situated here. The Pandavas went to
heaven across this valley.