Haridwar the holy city lies at the base of Shiva’s hill – the Shivalik range.  Legend goes that when Lord Shiva sent Ganga to quench the thirst of the people, the river Ganga extricated herself from the matted locks of Lord Shiva and descended to the plains at Haridwar.  From here, the Ganga proceeds eastwards and southwards through Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Culcutta towards Ganga Sagar, where it meets the sea. 

Haridwar is famous for Kumbh and Ardh kumbh fairs that are held marking the 12 year solar cycle, etc.  Millions of devotees, Hindus and visitors, take a di in the holiest of Hindu rivers at this time, to attain salvation.  Mythology has it that a few drops of the nectar churned from the ocean fell at four places and it is here that the Kumbh is held (Haridwar, Allahabad, Ujjain & Nasik.) 

It is said that you can attain salvation by praying to Lord Vishnu (Hari) or Lord Shiva and hence this sacred spot is known both as Haridwar and Hardwar.

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