Har ki Pauri is one of the main Panch Tirth pilgrimage places largely visited in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. Also known as Gangadwara, the name Har ki Pauri is derived from the words, Pauri (feet) and Hari (lord). According to legends, it is the place where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, appeared in the Vedic period. The place assumes equal importance to that of the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Banaras. It is also said that Lord Brahma, performed a Yagna here and the ghat is said to have the holy footprints of Lord Vishnu.
Significance
King Vikramaditya built the Har ki Pauri on the bank of river Ganges, in memory of his brother Bhartrihari. This ghat is the place where the river Ganges exits from the mountains and enters into the plains. Taking a holy dip in this ghat is said to relieve a person from all his sins. Some of the rituals such as ‘Upanayan’ (Sacred Thread ceremony), ‘mundan’ (the head tonsuring ritual), ‘Asthi visarjan’ (immersion of the ashes of the dead) and ‘shraddha’ (prayers to appease one's ancestors) take place here.
Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri
Ganga Aarti, a ritual of offering prayers to the Ganges, is an important occasion at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar. The Aarti takes place in the evening, after sunset, by a group of Brahmans who hold huge fire bowls in their hands. They recite holy mantras to river Ganges, Lord Shiva, Lord Surya (the Sun God) and the entire Universe. Devotees offer flowers and earthen lamps to river Ganges, to pay homage to their departed ancestors. Ganga Mandir and Haricharan Mandir are also located in the vicinity.
Holy Site of Kumbh Mela
Har ki Pauri is also a pilgrimage site during Kumbha Mela where thousands of Hindus visit during the festive occasion.
Significance
King Vikramaditya built the Har ki Pauri on the bank of river Ganges, in memory of his brother Bhartrihari. This ghat is the place where the river Ganges exits from the mountains and enters into the plains. Taking a holy dip in this ghat is said to relieve a person from all his sins. Some of the rituals such as ‘Upanayan’ (Sacred Thread ceremony), ‘mundan’ (the head tonsuring ritual), ‘Asthi visarjan’ (immersion of the ashes of the dead) and ‘shraddha’ (prayers to appease one's ancestors) take place here.
Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri
Ganga Aarti, a ritual of offering prayers to the Ganges, is an important occasion at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar. The Aarti takes place in the evening, after sunset, by a group of Brahmans who hold huge fire bowls in their hands. They recite holy mantras to river Ganges, Lord Shiva, Lord Surya (the Sun God) and the entire Universe. Devotees offer flowers and earthen lamps to river Ganges, to pay homage to their departed ancestors. Ganga Mandir and Haricharan Mandir are also located in the vicinity.
Holy Site of Kumbh Mela
Har ki Pauri is also a pilgrimage site during Kumbha Mela where thousands of Hindus visit during the festive occasion.
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