The entire Uttarakhand is dotted with the temples of Vishnu and Shiva. Vishnu is known as Hari and Shiva is Har. So Haridwar is the gateway to Shri Badrinath and Shri Kedarnath, the holy shrines of Hari and Har.
Haridwar is the home of Ashrams and Dharamshalas which have been established by religious institutions to cover the need of the numberless pilgrims who come and go everyday. Though the Daksheswara temple adjoining the Har-ki-Pauri ghat is the chief attraction, other temples, too, hold their own place.
Pandas play an important role in the life of the city, arranging accomodation and puja, besides sightseeing for their 'yajmans'.
ARYA VANAPRASTH ASHRAM:
This well known institutions is for the retired persons situated at Jwalapur, about 3 km from Shiv Mukti.
DAKSH PRAJAPATI AND SATI KUND AT KANKHAL:
About 4 km away from Haridwar railway station, situated is the Daksh Prajapati temple. Daksh prajapati was the son of Lord Brahma, father of sati, performed a 'yagya' but did not invite Lord Shiva. Feeling insulted, Sati burned herself in the 'Yagya Kund'.
RAMA KRISHNA MISSION SEVA ASHRAM:
It is also situated at the Kankhal. One having a feeling of pity or kindness must visit this place as it is running a free hospital for the needy.
PARMARTH ASHRAM:
It is situated near Sapt Rishi Ashram and is a branch of Parmarth Niketan of Rishikesh. There are life like images of the Goddess Durga and other dieties.
SHAKTI TEMPLES:
Two are the shakti temples of Haridwar that are Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi. These two temples are located atop two hills known as Vilwa parvat and Neel Parvat, in the picturesque surroundings. Maa Mansa Devi and Maa Chandi Devi fulfills all the wishes of the devotees, as is believed.
Other temples of legendary value are Sravan Nath, Mayadevi Neeleshwar Mahadev, Bhuma Niketan, Kali Mata Mandir and the Bharat Mata Mandir.
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