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Haridwar |
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is 1597.49 Kms.
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Haridwar stands for Dwar of Hari or Gateway to God,'Hari' meaning god and 'dwar' meaning gate. Haridwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places to Hindus.Haridwar also stands as the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttrakhand e.i. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. It's also your starting point on the journey to the sacred sources of the Ganga and the Yamuna Rivers. According to legend, Prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had perished due to Sage Kapila's curse. The penance was answered and the river Ganga trickled forth from Lord Shiva's locks and its bountiful water revived the sons of King Sagara. In the tradition of Bhagirath, devout Hindus stand in the sacred waters here, praying for the salvation of their ancestors.    Down the ages, this special importance of Haridwar as the ever- refreshing mystic venue for the purification of the mind, body and soul gained more impetus and todya manifests in two great events that take play here- the memorable Kumbh Mela which happens once every 12 years and the Ardh Kumbh Mela, which comes once every six years. Yet, beyond the mystic aura and mythology Haridwar casts another magic spell on the visitor.It is doorway to the sources of the Ganga and the Yamuna, 3000 to 4500 meters up into the snowy ranges of the central Himalayas. The 'Aarti' worship of the Ganga after sunset and the floating 'dia' (lamp) is a moving ritual.Haridwar is one of the first towns where Ganga emerges from the mountains to touch the plains. The water in the river Ganges is mostly clear and generally cold. Today, it is developing beyond its religious importance, as a major industrial destination of state, with the fast developing Industrial Estate of State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation, SIDCUL , and the close by township of BHEL and its affiliated ancillaries.Haridwar has been an abode of the weary in body, mind and spirit. It has also been a centre of attraction for learning various arts, science, and culture.   
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History of Haridwar city
In the Vanaparva of the Mahabharat, where sage Dhaumya tells Yudhisthira about the tirthas of India, Gangadwar, i.e., Haridwar.Haridwar came under the rule of the Maurya Empire i.e.322–185 BCE, and later under the Kushan Empire i.e. 1st–3rd centuries. Archaeological findings have proved that terra cotta culture dating between 1700 BCE and 1200 BCE existed in this region. First modern era written evidence of Haridwar is found in the accounts of a Chinese traveller, Huan Tsang, who visited India in 629 AD, i.e.during the rein of King Harshavardhan from 590 to 647AD.The city was also invaded by Timur Lang from 1336-1405AD, a Turkish invader on January 13, 1399.During his visit to Haridwar, first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak from 1469 to 1539AD bathed at 'Kushwan Ghat' according to two Sikh Janamsakhis, this visit took place on the Baisakhi day in 1504 AD.Ain-e-Akbari written by Abul Fazal, in 16th century during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar refers to it, as Mayapur. During the Mughal period, there was mint for Akbar's copper coinage at HaridwarIt is said that Raja Man Singh of Amber, laid that foundation of the present day city of Haridwar and also renovated the ghats at Har-ki-pauri. After his death, his ashes are also said to have been immersed at Brahma Kund by Mughal emperor Akbar himself.Thomas Coryat, an English traveller, who visited the city in the reign of Emperor Jahangir from1596 to 1627AD mentions it as 'Haridwara', the capital of Shiva. 'Haridwar Union Municipality' was constituted in 1868, which included the then villages of Mayapur and Kankhal. In 1901, it had a population of 25,597 and was a part of the Roorkee tehsil, in Saharanpur district of the United Province and remained so till the creation of Uttar Pradesh in 1947 The Haridwar district came into existence on 28 December 1988 as part of Saharanpur Divisional Commissionary and on 9 November 2000, it became part of Uttarakhand, the 27th state in the Republic of India.   
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Geography and Climate of Haridwar city
Haridwar district, covering an area of about 2360 km², is in the southwestern part of Uttarakhand state of India. Its latitude and longitude are 29.58 degree north and 78.13 degree east respectively.Haridwar is situated at height of 249.7 metres from the sea level, between Shivalik Hills in the North and Northeast and Ganga River in the South.In Summers minimum temperature is 15 °C and maximum temperature is 39.8°C and in Winters minimum temperature is 6°C and maximum temperature is 16.6°C.The best seasons to visit Haridwar is some where between September and June. As of 2001 India census,Haridwar district had a population of 14,44,213. Males constitute 54% of the population and females, 46%. Hardwar has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 64%. In Hardwar, 12% of the population is under six years of age.   
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Economy of Haridwar city
Due to Haridwar's location on the bank of river Ganga, it has plenty of water resources, and most types of grains are produced here in abundance.The holy city Haridwar has emerged as a key industrial destination of northern India with the setting up of an integrated industrial estate, which has so far attracted an investment of Rs 5,596.72 core.About 551 industries, including big firms like ITC and Mahindra and Mahindra ,are setting up shops in this industrial estate, which is the first in Uttarakhand to be developed by the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal Ltd at 1,468 acres ever since the new industrial package came in January 2003.Haridwar industrial estate has a total of 822 plots. While 201companies, including Hindustan Unilever Ltd and M and M, have already started production, another 345 have started construction work.Hero Honda is investing Rs 1,596 crore in its new manufacturing unit. Ancillaries of Hero Honda are also investing Rs 320 crore in their units in Haridwar.While ITC is setting up a food and personal care product unit with an investment of Rs 125 crore, HUL has established a cosmetics and toiletries production unit with an investment of Rs 102 crore.Top officials claimed nearly 50,000 people would get employment opportunities in the estate.      
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Flora and Fauna of Haridwar city
The flora found in the area is diverse with distinct vegetation zones that include broadleaved deciduous forests, riverine vegetation and grasslands along with picturesque forests of pine trees that lend a unique charm to the environs. The fauna inhabiting the area is equally diverse with an estimated number of more than 23 species of mammals and 315 species of birds.
Prominent habitatants are leopard, jungle cat,elephants, Himalayan yellow throated marten, sambar, cheetal, barking deer, wild boar, sloth bear, langoor, ghoral, monitor lizard, python, civet and even king-cobra.
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