Haridwar is one of the most sacred cities of India, and is situated on the banks of river Ganga. It is quite literally the Gateway to the Lord (Hari-Dwar), as it stands as a gateway to the famed Char Dham (four abodes of the Lord) shrines situated in the Upper Himalayas, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, giving it the name Haridwar.

It is one of the four places where the drops of the elixir of immortality, Amrita accidentally spilled over from the pitcher or Kumbha, in which it was being carried away by the celestial bird Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu. These four spots have today become places where the Kumbha Mela is celebrated every 12 years cyclically - Ujjain, Haridwar, Nasik, and Allahabad. Here millions of pilgrims, devotees and tourists congregate from all over the world to celebrate this celestial event and perform ritualistic bathing on the banks of the river Ganga.

The spot where the nectar, Amrita, fell is today considered to be the Brahma Kund at Har-ki-Pauri, (literally "footsteps of the Lord" and symbolically the footprints of the Amrita) is considered the most sacred ghat of Haridwar, and thousands of devotees and pilgrims flock here from all over to take a holy dip; to enhance spirituality and attain Moksha.

The daily Aarti of Goddess Ganga in the evening, at Hari-Ki-Pairi is an enchanting expereince for any visitor. A spectacle of sound and colour, after the ceremony, pilgrims float DIYAS (floral float with lamps) and incense on the river and experience a great mental peace and get blessings of Ganga Maa.