Haridwar and Rishikesh
 Haridwar, the holy city is one of the renowned pilgrimage centres in the state of Uttarakhand, India, located on the banks of river Ganga. Haridwar is also termed as 'Gateway to Gods' and attracts a large number of Hindu Pilgrims from all over the world. The followers of Lord Shiva (Har) and followers of Lord Vishnu(Hari) pronounce this place Haridwar and Hardwar respectively as told by some. The five pilgrimages within Haridwar are Gangadwara (Har-ki-pauri), Kushwart (Ghat), Kankhal, Bilwa Teerth (Mansa Devi) and Neel Parvat (Chandi Devi).
Legendary King Bhagirath is said to have brought the river Ganga from heaven to earth in order to provide salvation to his ancestors. It is also said that Haridwar has been sanctified by the presence of three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Lord Vishnu is said to have his foot print on the stone that is set in the upper wall of Har-Ki-Pauri where the Holy Ganga touches it all the times. Devout believers feel that they can go to heaven by getting their salvation after a dip in the sacred Ganga at Haridwar. Haridwar celebrates many religious festivals throughout the year and is the venue for the humanity’s largest festival, Kumbh Mela, held every 12th year.
Rishikesh, also known as the gateways to the Himalayas, is situated in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. It is 238 km northeast of Delhi and 24 km north of Haridwar and spreads on the right banks of the Ganges, at its confluence with the Chandrabhaga stream. It is surrounded by hills on three sides and situated at an altitude of 356 meters above sea level. Rishikesh is the holy city for Hindus and the sacred river Ganga flows through the city. In Rishikesh, several temples can be found along the banks of Ganges. Laxman Jhoola, a suspension bridge across river Ganga, on the old route to the shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath is worth visiting spot and Triveni Ghat is a bathing Ghat which resounds with the ‘Arti’ performed every evening to river Ganga.
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