Haridwar, literally Gateway to God, is one of the Hindu holy
places in India and a center of Hindu religion and mysticism for
centuries. Located on the banks of River Ganges (Ganga), at the
point where the Ganges descends from the hills to the North Indian
plains, Haridwar attracts a large number of Hindu pilgrims from all over
the world.
Other yearly festivals include:
Festivals
Haridwar is the site of many religious festivals. Most notably, once every twelve years it is the venue for the Kumbh Mela, humanity's largest festival, which drew a record 70 million in 2003. (The festival rotates between Haridwar and Allahabad, Ujjain and Nashik.) The Ardh Mela, or "half mela", is held every six years. The last Maha Kumbh Mela was in 2001, and the next maha Mela will be in 2013.Other yearly festivals include:
- Baisakhi, April.
- Kanwar Mela, July. The largest yearly festival, drawing up to 300,000 visitors.
- Somwati Amavasya, July. Almost as large as the Kanwar Mela.
- Kartik Purnima, held 15 days after Diwali on the first night of the full moon in November.