Religious/ Spiritual

Sapt Rishi Ashram is an ancient ashram famous for having hosted seven (sapt) sages (rishis), namely, Kashyapa, Vashisht, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jamadagi, Bharadwaja and Gautam. In order to avoid any disturbance to the seven sages meditating in the ashram, it is believed that river Ganga split herself into seven currents at this spot. Hence, this ashram is also referred to as Sapt Sarovar or seven streams. The Sapt Rishi Ashram is located at about 5 km from Har-ki-Pauri.

Shravannath Math or temple is another pious place of significance worth seeing. Pilgrims from all over India make it a point to visit this sacred place of Haridwar throughout the year.

It is a known fact that Vaishno Devi temple is located in Jammu. Not many know that a replica of the Vaishno Devi temple is present in Haridwar. This temple was recently built and does not fall into the league of ancient temples. Vaishno Devi temple, like any other temples of Haridwar, is visited by large numbers of Devotees throughout the year.

Similar to the temple in Jammu, the path leading to worship Goddess Vaishno Devi is full of tunnels and caves. It is believed that the Goddess blesses only those who truly intend to seek her blessings from the bottom of their hearts.

Vishnu Ghat, named after Lord Vishnu is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu bathed. Bathing in this ghat, or taking a dip in the holy river, is known to wash away all your sins. A visit to the religious land of Haridwar without taking a dip in the holy river leaves a sense of loss. To get that feeling of contentment and achievement, make sure you splurge into the holy waters.

The district of Uttarkashi is a very important pilgrimage area located on the banks of river Bhagirathi, which flows down to form the Ganges after it crosses river Devaprayag and merges into the river Alaknanda. Closely located to Rishikesh at a distance of 155 kms, Uttarkashi stands tall at an altitude of 1150 mts above sea level. Ekadash Rudra temple adds to the sanctity of the district by its very presence.

Dating back to the mythological era, Gangotri reveals the life story of Goddess Ganga, the daughter of heaven, who decided to flow down from the heaven to the earth. This was done to acknowledge the penance performed by King Bhagirath to wash away the sins of his predecessors. The spot where Ganga originated as a river is known as Gangotri and the river was termed Bhagirathi. The river is called Ganga after it crosses a particular point down hill.

In addition to the various temples such as Ekadash Rudra temple, Kuteti Devi temple and the Lord Vishwanath temple, Gyanseshwar temple is another temple of sacred importance, situated in Uttarkashi. A visit to Uttarkashi is incomplete without visiting any of these temples. These ancient temples are very divine and emit a pious and holy atmosphere.

The temple of Goddess Kuteti Devi is situated atop a hill called Hari Parwat, about 2 kms away from Uttarkashi. The temple is also approachable from Dehradun after traveling a distance of 192 kms. Situated on the banks of Bhagirathi, the temple of Kuteti Devi was built by the daughter and son-in-law of Maharaja Kota, after Kuteti Devi blessed them in dreams and guided them to discover three stones of heavenly nature.

For those not aware of the ancient Indian mythology, Lord Shiva received the Ganges in his matted locks, when Goddess Ganga agreed to flow down to the earth from her heavenly abode, following the penance performed by King Bhagirath. The spot where Lord Shiva gathered Ganga into his locks to reduce the impact of her fall is now the Submerged Shivling. This natural rock Shivling is submerged in the river and is visible during winters when the water level goes down.

One of the most famous temples in Uttarkashi, Lord Vishwanath temple bears a description in the Kedar Khanda or Skanda Puran. The temple is 300 mts away from the local bus stand at Uttarkashi. This holy shrine has a Shivling which is 60 cms tall and is 90 cms in circumference.