Har ki Paudi
Location
The Har ki Paudi is a ghat on Ganga in Haridwar, Uttaranchal.
Famous for
Har ki Paudi is famous as a place where lord Vishnu came to earth.
The Sacred Ghat
The Har ki Paudi ghat is a sacred place for Hindus. The ghat is
equivalent to the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi, in religious terms.
Har ki Paudi means Steps (Paudi) of Shiva (Har). It is believed that
Shiva and Vishnu have visited the ghat in the vedic era. The ghat is
said to have a large footprint, supposed to be that of Vishnu. Legends
have it that Brahma had performed a Yagna (Prayers) at the banks of
Ganga, on Har ki Paudi. Later Shiva visited the place and found it
suitable to release Ganga on the plains. The sacred ghat was constructed
by King Vikramaditya in the memory of his brother Bhartrihari.
Ganga Aarti
The Aarti at the ghats in evening is the most mesmerising scenes here.
The aarti is a prayer, in respect of river Ganga. The Aarti takes place
at dusk, when a group of priests hold large fire bowls in there hands.
They enchant prayers and offer there homage to Ganga, Shiva, Sun and
whole Universe. Devotees bring floral Diyas (earthen vessels) and make
them flow in Ganga. The golden reflection of floral diyas in the river
Ganges is the most enchanting sight in the twilight during the Ganga's
aarti ceremony at the ghat.
Kumbh Mela
The auspicious festival of Hindus, Kumbh mela, is held at Har ki Paudi.
Kumbh Mela is the most revered fairs of Hindus. The festival falls every
3 years and is celebrated in 4 different cities, viz., Allahabad,
Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. According to popular belief, Kumbh mela has
the powers to wash away all the sins of the participant.
Getting There
Har ki Paudi is the most visited site in Haridwar. It can be reached by
navigating through streets of Haridwar. Local transport include
Aato-rickshaws, tongas and hand-rickshaws, which can be used to reach
this mesmerising ghat of Haridwar.
