Haridwar, Uttaranchal, India

Haridwar (or Hardwar) lies along the Ganges at the boundary between the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the Himalayan foothills and is the site of the headworks of the Ganges Canal system. Haridwar is one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus and a major pilgrimage centre. It has had many names; originally it was called Kapila, for the sage who once lived there. Its present name means "door to Hari," one of the names of Vishnu, a principal deity of Hinduism. Haridwar's chief object of pilgrimage is Har-ki-Pauri, the bathing ghat, or steps, along the river. It has what believers consider to be a footprint of Vishnu impressed into a stone.

The festivals which are celebrated in Haridwar are :

Kumbh Mela - India has been attracting the whole world with her rich cultural heritages and spirituality. The renowned Kumbh Mela is a unique blend of all these. Haridwar Kumbh has its importance as the last Kumbh of this century. The Kumbh mela is held in every 12 years to commorate this spiritual day .Millions of men, women, children, sagas, Rishi, Munies, baba's and tourists gather here to take a dip in the holy water of holy rivers.

Ardh Kumbh - The Ardh Kumbh mela (fair) is held in every 6 years which is followed by the Kumbh Mela after 6 years.
It is believed that a dip in the holy river Ganga during the Ardh Kumbh gives one Moksha or Nirvana. Ardha Kumbh also attracts a large number of people to take the holy dip during these holy days.

The most sacred place in Haridwar remains the Har-Ki-Puri where people take a dip in the holy River Ganges to cleanse them of their sins. I did this when we went there. The water is freezing cold. The water comes from the ice that has melted in the Himalaya's. Once you get out of the water you are immediately warm again. I almost was not going to do it but I don't know when I will ever get the chance to take a dip in the River Ganges. That might have been my only chance so I took it. I actually dipped in the water three times. I dipped my baby in the water also. She screamed and cried afterwards. But like I said as soon as you are out of the water you are immediately warm. Luckily the sun was shinning that day to help warm the body.