Haridwar
Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city in the district of Uttarakhand. The River Ganges, after flowing for 253 kilometres (157 mi) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Indo-Gangetic Plains of North India for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára.
Haridwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places to Hindus. Haridwar along with Ujjain, Nasik and Allahabad is one of four sites where drops of Amrit, the elixir of immortality, accidentally spilled over from the pitcher while being carried by the celestial bird Garuda. This is manifested in the Kumbha Mela being celebrated every 3 years in one of the 4 places, and thus every 12 years in Haridwar. Amidst the Kumbha Mela, millions of pilgrims, devotees, and tourists congregate in Haridwar to perform ritualistic bathing on the banks of the river Ganges to wash away their sins to attain Moksha. Brahma Kund, the spot where the Amrit fell, is located at Har ki Pauri (literally, “footsteps of the Lord”) and is considered to be the most sacred ghat of Haridwar.
Ganga Dashara, the most ancient river festival in existence, occurs on the dashmi or tenth tithi of the Hindu lunar month of Jyestha during Shukla Paksha or the bright fortnight. For public participation, when it falls on week days, it is celebrated on the Sunday after. The festival celebrates the coming of the Holy Ganga from the celestial regions to the Earth. Thus, it is a celebration of purity, environment and family.
Part of my series trying to capture the markets and bazaars of Asia. Red tikka powder and necklaces for sale along the river in Haridwar.
A ceremony takes place at the ghat each evening. Leaf boats filled with flowers and candles are set afloat on the river. Here, a stall selling flower boats. (Haridwar)
pilgrims and locals dip in the Ganges
Shops abound in Haridwar selling everything a good and devout pilgrim might want in their puja and worship inclusing rice to throw into the water, jugs to fill with holy water from the Ganga, powers and bindis and beads of all colours and materials.
