Hardwari, also spelled as Hardwar, is a city in the state of Uttranchal. Haridwar, literally Gateway to God is an important pilgrim centre of the Hindus and one of the seven holy places of the Char Dham Yatra that promises ?moksha’ or salvation to the devout. It is also known as ?Mayanagari’. Originating from the Himalyas, the Ganga enters the plains for the first time at Haridwar. It is therefore, also known as ?Ganga Dwar’ or the Gateway of Ganga. Being associated with Lord Shiva, the city is also known as ?Har-dwar’ or the Gateway to Shiva’. The city is also in some way associated with Vishnu or ?Hari’, hence the more common name ?Haridwar’. It would not be wrong to call it ?Harihar Nagra’ (Vishnu-Shiva city). That is why it is an important Char Dham Destination along with rest of other eminent o How to Fix a Broken Relationship ne. In ancient time Lord Brahma had performed a very elaborate yagna here. Brahma-kund is the legacy of that yagna, and the devout take a bath in it. Next to it is Hari ki Pauri (or steps of Shiva), where every twelfth year a kumbh and every intervening sixth year an Ardh Kumbh (half Kumbh) fairs is held. Every day at break of dusk, aarti of the Mother Ganga is performed at the site, after which diyas are set afloat on the waters of the Ganga. The spectacle is breathtaking beautiful. By the side of Hari-ki-Pauri is a scared pond known as “Bhim Goda”. It is said that Bhim once tired to mount a horse here, and the horse slipped creating a pond like crater. That pond is the present day ?Bhimgoda Tal’. There is a popular belief that king Bhartrihari underwent penance at Haridwar and achieved immortality.
