Situated in the north Indian state of Uttaranchal at a distance of 214 km from Delhi, the city of Haridwar in North Karnataka holds tremendous religious and historical significance. Research about Haridwar says that the erstwhile major trading center bears historical legacy in forms of giant temples, palaces, market streets, and forts and several other ancient monuments.

Fast Facts:

Population	2,30,000
Languages	Hindi and English
Best time to visit	October to March
STD code	0133

History:
The history about Haridwar will tell you that it attaches deep seated importance to the mythological and spiritual background of India. Legend says that in the Vanaparva section of the Mahabharata, sage Dhaumya cites Haridwar and Kankhal in his discussion with Yudhisthira about the various tirthas of India, Gangadwar. One of the Char Dhams (the four prime centers of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand namely, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, the city of Haridwar came under the control of the Maurya Empire between 322 and 185 BC, and later under the Kushan Empire during the 1st�3rd centuries.

Haridwar, one of the favorite tourist destinations in India for pilgrims and vacationers alike, offers numerous options. Situated to the north of the center, Hari-ki-Pairi (or Har-ki-Pairi) is acclaimed as the city�s nucleus, where the religious followers assemble to bathe in the holy Ganges. According to the legend a drop of nectar fell in this place as a result of the samudra manthan - churning of the oceans � Mythologically it denotes the beginning of the world.

Best Season, Climate and Clothing:
Situated at an altitude of about 300 meters above sea level, Haridwar has the temperature usually hovering around 40�C during summers and 6�C in the winters. The best time to visit Haridwar is between the months of October and March during winter. Light cottons for summer and heavy woolens for winters will make for perfect clothing in Haridwar.

How to Reach Haridwar:

By Air: The nearest airport from Haridwar is the Jolly Grant in Dehradun, but it is rather advisable to avail of the road or rail services to Delhi and then take flights to your preferred destination.

By Rail: Haridwar is well linked by trains to mostly all the important cities in India. In fact, trains are the major means of transport that bring tourists to this city.

By Road: The National Highway no.45 stretches across the city of Haridwar and is connected to other cities of the state and the country. The excellent road network connects Haridwar to Delhi for a comfortable journey.

Tourist Attractions in Haridwar:
The various tourist interests in Haridwar are as follows: