Haridwar is a major pilgrimage site located in the Haridwar district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Its history is very ancient and it can also be read in Sanskrit poetry and Puranas. The name Haridwar is derived from the Sanskrit words "Hari" (a name of Lord Vishnu) and "dwar" (द्वार), which means "gates of Hari". It is also known as the sacred ghat of Lord Vishnu. The history of Haridwar is important because of its religious and cultural significance. Here in Haridwar, there is a belief of taking a holy bath in the river Ganga and lakhs of pilgrims come to this pilgrimage site to increase their virtue. The historical observation here connects it to the Mahabharata period. After the war of Mahabharata, Lord Krishna paid homage to his Guru Dronacharya here. Haridwar had great importance even during the time of Mughal rulers. They considered it as their religious and cultural site and provided many opportunities to develop it. With time, Haridwar has developed in the religious, cultural, and tourism sectors and today it is one of the important pilgrimage destinations for all Indians.

10 famous ghats of Haridwar:
1. Har Ki Pauri: This is the most famous and sacred ghat of Haridwar. Lakhs of people gather here every evening to watch Ganga Aarti. Every year during the Kumbh Mela, lakhs of devotees come to Har Ki Pauri to take a bath in the river Ganga.

2. Brahma Kund: This ghat is known for its natural beauty. Here the water of river Ganga is very calm and clean. People wake up early in the morning to take bath in Brahma Kund so that they can enjoy the sunrise.

3. Laxman Jhula: It is a hanging bridge which is built on the river Ganga. This ghat is known for its beautiful views. From Lakshman Jhula you can have a spectacular view of the river Ganga and enjoy the enchanting beauty of the mountains.

4. Ram Jhula: This is another hanging bridge built on the river Ganga. This ghat is also known for its beautiful views. There are many shops near Ram Jhula that sell religious items, souvenirs and other goods.

5. Veerbhadra Ghat: This ghat is dedicated to Lord Veerbhadra. There is an ancient temple here which is dedicated to Lord Veerbhadra. The festival of Lord Virbhadra is celebrated every year at Virbhadra Ghat, in which lakhs of people participate.

6. Darshan Ghat: This ghat is known for its serene environment. It is an ideal place for meditation and yoga. There are many ashrams in Darshan Ghat which teach yoga and meditation.

7. Triveni Ghat: This ghat is situated at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers. It is considered a holy place. Pitru Paksha Fair is organized every year at Triveni Ghat, in which people pay tribute to their ancestors.

8. Kankhal Ghat: This ghat is known for its natural beauty. Here the water of river Ganga is very calm and clean. There are many temples near Kankhal Ghat which are dedicated to Lord Shiva.



9. Mansa Devi Ghat: This ghat is dedicated to Goddess Mansa. There is an ancient temple here which is dedicated to Goddess Manasa. The festival of Navratri is celebrated every year at Mansa Devi Ghat, in which lakhs of people worship Goddess Mansa.

10. Chandi Devi Ghat: This ghat is dedicated to Goddess Chandi. There is an ancient temple here which is dedicated to Goddess Chandi. The festival of Navratri is celebrated every year at Chandi Devi Ghat, in which lakhs of people worship Goddess Chandi.

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