Haridwar

About the Destination: A couple of days ago i came back from a two day Tripto Haridwar and Rishikesh. This was my first time at both these destinations and the highlight was simply the sacred river Ganga. Since I went with my family, the emphasis was more on religious significance of these places as high on our agenda's was bathing in the holy river Ganga, Visiting 'Mansha Devi' and 'Chandi Devi' temples, attending the famous Aarti on Ghats of Ganga in the Evening at Haridwar and visiting 'Laxman Jhula' and 'Neelkanth Mahadev' temple at Rishikesh. We managed to accomplish most of these but only missed the Aarti due to inordinate delay at Chandi Devi temple. The people of both these places are helpful and cooperative. The facilities for commuting, Staying, eating at both Haridwar and Rishikesh aregood.

About the journey: I was all excited at the prospect of driving both ways (recalling my excellent experience of driving to Mathura a couple of months ago) but this one was a complete let down, The roads on the highway are below average after you leave Delhi, and it being a two way highway with heavy traffic, you can forget all the fun and better concentrate on some serious driving. Once you enter Uttaranchal (starting Roorkee) the roads get better and stay the same way thoughout, the traffic in Uttaranchal also gives you some respite. The stretch from Rishikesh to Neelkanth is adelight as well as a challange, considering the steep and slim roads. It is advisable to park your cars at Rishikesh and hire a Taxi, or simply walk along.

Photos:

People bathing on the Ghats of river Ganga in Haridwar.

Temple at 'Har ki pauri' at Haridwar.

The 'Mansha Devi' Temple at Haridwar

The water of river Ganga at Haridwar. As a famous hindi song goes: Maano to main Ganga maa hun, na maano to behta paani... (If you believe its mother Ganga, it it's simply flowing plain water... )

The Ram jhula at Rishikesh.

The temple at Laxman Jhula at Rishikesh.

The view of River Ganga from Laxman Jhula.

The Stream of River Ganga between the hills as visible on the way to Neelkanth at Rishikesh

The view of overlapping hills on the way to Neelkanth.

The Neelkanth Temple at Rishikesh depicting the 'Saagar Manthan'

Sumit