Haridwar

HARIDWAR

INTRODUCTION

One of the Char-dhams or the 4 main pilgrimages in Hindu religion, Haridwar is a city of ghats, temples and memories. A settlement which predates written text and finds mention in several ancient mythologies including Bhagirath. Puran, Haridwar or Hari’s dwar (God’s Gate ) is one of the oldest living cities of this country.

The city is associated as the Gateway to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, as ‘Hardwar’ And ‘Haridwar’ respectively. Haridwar is Also rightfully called ‘Gangadwar’, as the Holy river Ganga which flows down the Himalayas, enters the plains at Haridwar And spreads over the northern plains. It is Among the seven sacred cities of Hindu Culture in India.

Being one of the oldest living cities in India, Haridwar finds its mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures as it waves through the life and time stretching from the period of Buddha to the more recent British advent.

Haridwar has not only remained the abode of the weary in body, mind and spirit, but also serves as center of attraction for many for learning the arts of science and culture.

LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY

It is located in the western part of Uttarakhand state of India. The district is ringed by Saharanpur in the west, Dehradun in the North and east, Pauri Garhwal in th e east, Muzaffar Nagar and Bijnor in the south.

The location of Haridwar city between the Shivaliks on the right side of the Ganges in the passage made by the river. This city has been situated 292.7 metres above the sea level.

The torrential showers of the stream terminate here and it begins its flowing course down to the Bay of Bengal from here. Haridwar city has the benefits of having sufficient rains, both in summer and the winter season as it has been surrounded by the hill at the foot of the Himalayas. • Temperature: Hot during summers, cool to cold during winters and warm humid during Monsoon season. Annual maximum temperature is 30 to 42 degree celsius. Annual minimum winter temperature is 4 to 14 degree celsius.

• Humidity: During rainy season humidity is 70 percent to 85 percent, during summer season it is 40 percent to 60 percent and during winter season it is 25 percent approximately.

• Wind: There is no specific wind direction but West, Northwest and Southwest are most probable. Summer is characterized by hot dust raising winds with velocities going up to 15 km/hour. Atmosphere is dusty In May/June.

CLIMATE

EVOLUTION

Haridwar has a long history be it ancient mythological or that of from various invaders. The history of this place was relatively discovered until about 1800. As mythology says, Haridwar has earned fame as being the place that has been blessed by the trinity of the lords Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is also one of the major fifty plus shaktipeetks spread all over South East Asia. Archaeological findings have proved that terra cotta culture dating

between 1700 BC and 1200 BC existed in the region. Being one of the oldest living cities, Haridwar finds its mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures as it weaves through the life and time stretching from the period of the Buddha, to the more recent British advent. Haridwar has a long history, but was relatively undeveloped until about 200 years ago.

EARLY HISTORY

MIDDLE AGE HISTORY

Arrival of Chinese TouristDuring the 2nd part of the 7th century, the well known Chinese tourist, Huein Tsang had arrived at Haridwar to witness the Kumbh fair from China. The fair ground was described by him as a Centre of Hindu culture. He has named Myeye-La in Chinese which probably means Mayapuri in Hindi. But this place suffered heavy devastation and loot perpetrated by barbarism and racial grudge that had greed for power and pelf. This place was the centre of consistent attacks of invaders who attacked this place several times to quench their racial wrath with their burning anti religious instincts. During 14th and 18th century many Hindu temples were demolished. The damaged images of Navgraha in the Kangra Mandir, built by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, the lion of Punjab and the cracked idol of Bhairav in Bhairon Akhara are the structural evidence of their bitter detestation. The temple of Lord Vishnu near Har-Ki-Pauri is such an example.

Arrival of BritishersIn the middle of 19th century, Lord Dalhousie and Lord Aukland, the viceroys of British India had also admired the sanctity of Haridwar and were so impressed by the supreme importance of the place that a plan was engineered for the construction of the famous Ganges canal which was inaugurated by Viceroy Lord Hal housie in the year 1854.

Later Mahtama Shradhanand established a centre of Hindu culture Gurukul Kangri which became internationally known for its system of quality education in Hinduism.The devotion to the holy Ganges evidently signifies and testifies to the reality of supreme importance of the Hindu temples existing on the banks of the Ganges river which include various Dharamshalas (Sanitoriums) and monuments of various Rishis and Maharishis every where in the Holy city of Haridwar and Kankhal. These architectural magnificence measures the story and devotion of those who had built them. It would not be correct if we say higher the architecture deeper the devotion to the Gods and Goddesses in Haridwar.

POPULATION INCREASEDemographic Profile

It is discernible that since 1961, the population of Haridwar has maintained an upward trend with a few kinks in some decades. In the recent decades, as is observed, the decadal rate of growth gradually dropped down from 45.71% in 1981 to 16.00 % in 2001 decade, the later being far below the national average. As per Census 2001, average household size is about 5.4 persons.

CENSUS REPORT

Population density 612persons/km²Male 7, 76,021lakh (73.8%)Female 6, 71,166 lakh (52.1%) Population growth 14, 47, 190 lakhLiteracy rate 64.6%Change in literacy rate 34.67%Sex ratio 868/100 No. of registered factories 158Small scale industries 3088 Workers 13910Length of metal roads 1767 Total electrified villages 462 Total electrified cities 10

The key reasons for unplanned growth of town as identified in theMaster Plan are as follows:• Linear development as a result of mountains in the north and river Ganga inthe south.• Unauthorised housing construction on un-developed land within the municipal boundary.• Lack of recreational facilities and open spaces• Mixed land use in core congested city areas• Heterogeneous traffic (including hand carts) on main roads, lack of properparking areas, narrow roads.