Haridwar if broken up stands for Hari i.e Vishnu and dwar i.e door ,in short,it stands for door of Hari.It was old even before many of the world’s ancient towns were born,and finds mention in the Vedas and Upanishads.It was then called Mayapuri,one of the seven sacred Mokshapuris.It is also one of the four sites of Kumbh Mela.

It’s believed that Raja Shwet prayed to lord Brahma at Har ki Pauri.Pleased by his devotion,Brahma granted him a boon.The raja wished that the site should thereafter be known by the lord’s name,and that he should reside there along with Vishnu and Shiva,granting the sacredness of all tirths to it.The pool of water at Har ki Pauri thus came to be called Brahmakund.All those who bathe here are said to have been blessed by the hotel trinity.This is where the beautiful aarti of Ganga maiya takes place.

Places of tourist attraction in Haridwar-

The prime attraction in Haridwar is Har ki Pauri ghat ,this spot is believed to be the exact spot where the holy Ganga enters the plains.The river Ganga enters the sacred Brahmakund from one side and exists from the other.The Ganga Mandir and Haricharan Mandir are also important sites here.Har ki Pauri gets its name from the pauri(feet) of Lord Vishnu(Hari).The footprints of the lord,the Visnucharanpaduka,are believed to be imprinted on the wall beneath the swiftly swirling waters of the Ganga at this ghat,attending the evening aarti is a must for any piligrim at Har ki Pauri ghat.

The major attractions in the town are Mansa Devi temple,Chandi Devi temple and Saptarishi Kund.