Page 190 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

188  CENTR AL INDIA

to experience Haridwar’s
ambience, which has changed
little since ancient times, is to
stroll along the riverside bazaar,
lined with small eateries and stalls
full of ritual paraphernalia – small
mounds of vermilion powder,
coconuts wrapped in red-and-
gold cloth, and brass idols. The
most popular items with the
pilgrims are the jars and canisters
sold here. These are used to carry
back a vital ingredient of Hindu
rituals: water from the Ganges
(Gangajal), which, the faithful
believe, remains ever fresh.
Pilgrims taking a dip in the holy Ganges at Haridwar
6 Haridwar bustling sites of ritual Hindu 7 Rishikesh
practices, performed by pilgrims
Haridwar district. 214 km (133 miles) Dehra Dun district. 228 km (142 miles)
NE of Delhi. £ @ near railway for the salvation of their ancestors NE of Delhi. @ Yatra bus station,
station. n GMVN Tourist Office, Rahi and for their own expiation, (0135) 243 1793. n GMVN Office
Motel, (01334) 265 304. _ Kumbh demonstrate their deep faith in Shail Vihar, (0135) 243 1793;
Mela (every 12 years; Feb–Mar), Ardh the power of the river. The main Uttarakhand Tourism Office, (0135)
Kumbha Mela (every 6 years; Feb– ghat, Har-ki-Pauri, is named after 274 0896. _ International Yoga
Mar), Haridwar Festival (Oct), Dussehra a supposed imprint of Vishnu’s Week (Mar).
(Sep/Oct). ∑ haridwar.nic.in feet at the site. Hundreds attend
the daily evening aarti at this ghat, This twin city of Dehra Dun (see
The Ganges, India’s holiest river when leaf boats are filled with p190), situated at the confluence
(see pp166–7), descends flowers, lit with lamps and of the Chandrabhaga and the
from the Himalayas set adrift on the Ganges. Ganges, marks the starting point
and begins its journey Further south, a ropeway of the holy Char Dham pilgrim
through the plains at connects the town to the route (see p191). Muni-ki-Reti
Haridwar. This gives the Mansa Devi Temple on a (literally “Sand of the Sages”) lies
town a unique status, hill across the river; this upstream from the Triveni Ghat
making a pilgrimage to offers panoramic views and is said to be a blessed site,
Haridwar every devout of Haridwar. Also situated since ancient sages meditated
Hindu’s dream. south of the town is at this spot. It has several famous
Surprisingly bare of the Gurukul Kangri ashrams, including Sivanand,
ancient monuments, University, a renowned Shanti Kunj and Purnanand,
Haridwar’s most Sign of Chotiwala, a centre of Vedic which offer courses in India’s
famous “sight”, as well popular restaurant knowledge, where ancient knowledge systems.
as a constant point of students are taught by North of Muni-ki Reti are two
reference, is the Ganges itself, their gurus in the traditional oral suspension bridges across the
with its numerous bathing style. A section here displays Ganges, Rama or Sivananda
ghats, tanks and temples. These archaeological finds. A good way Jhula and Lakshman Jhula.
Yoga: the Ancient Path to Holistic Health
Over 2,000 years ago, the sage Patanjali formulated a series of physical postures called asanas,
which, along with controlled breathing and meditation
(pranayama), were meant to set the individual on the path to
self-realization. Ever since, yoga has been practised by ascetics
and non-ascetics alike. Essentially, yoga calms and focuses the
mind by stimulating blood circulation while relaxing nerves
and muscles. This helps to combat the stress of daily life and
is particularly suited to modern lifestyles, as it does not require
equipment or visits to the gym. Yoga entered the wider popular
consciousness in the late 1960s, when the Beatles paid a visit
to the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram in Rishikesh, and today
many schools of yoga have centres in India as well as in Europe
and North America. Rishikesh, with its plethora of yoga ashrams,
is touted as the yoga capital of the world. An International
Yoga Week (see p183) is also held here in February. A woman performing an asana

For hotels and restaurants in this region see p696 and pp708–709

188-189_EW_India.indd 188 26/04/17 11:44 am
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Date 12th July 2013
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