Monday, December 31, 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR All Friends

I wish you Health...
So you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the Love of friends and family...
And Peace within your heart.

I wish you the Beauty of nature...
That you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities...
For those things that really matter in life.

I wish you Generousity so you may share...
All good things that come to you.

I wish you Happiness and Joy...
And Blessings for the New Year.

I wish you the best of everything...
That you so well deserve.

H ours of happy times with friends and family
A bundant time for relaxation
P rosperity
P lenty of love when you need it the most
Y outhful excitement at lifes simple pleasures

N ights of restful slumber (you know - dont' worry be happy)
E verything you need
W ishing you love and light

Y ears and years of good health
E njoyment and mirth
A angels to watch over you
R embrances of a happy years!

Happiness deep down within.
Serenity with each sunrise.
Success in each facet of your life.
Family beside you.
Close and caring friends.
Health, inside you.
Love that never ends.
Special memories of all the yesterdays.
A bright today with much to be thankful for.
A path that leads to beautiful tomorrows.
Dreams that do their best to come true.
Appreciation of all the wonderful things about you.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

A unique confluence of natural highs: Kullu Manali India

India Unveiled: A warm up, a teaser following up to your adventure in Kullu Manali

India offers an alluring invitation for every traveler to indulge in its picture perfect views of snow clad Himalayas in North, swirling sands in Rajasthan play a charismatic veil of monuments and forts waiting to seduce a lonely traveler with their incredible beauty and artistry; sandy dunes along the crystal clear waters of beaches in south provide an ultimate source of Vitamin SEA. And after you are finished up with your adventures in north set yourself free on a peaceful trail in a canoe moving swiftly on the pristine backwaters of Kerala.

An Ultimate Adventurer’s Trove: Kullu Manali
But if you are a crazy adventurer then please pack-up your adventure gear and board a bus plying to Kullu Manali in North India. Kullu Manali is a comfortable 10 hours journey from New Delhi. It is well connected to the rest of India with smooth National Highways; making the journey for travelers hassle free. These are the twinlet towns in the mesmerizing land of gods “Himachal Pardesh, India”.

Manali, situated at an altitude of 6000 feet, is a renowned hill station in India. According to a fabled story, when whole world drowned in the catastrophic floods, arose a place of unparalleled natural beauty? It was Manali here the life prospered again.

Manali offers a rare treat for your eyes as every shot of its natural beauty presents an ultimate picture. Miles away from those busy streets of city life, here’s a chance for you to walk through the narrow alleys in dense forests, exotic flowers and gurgling streams. Manali is also a vital transcending point for interesting trek routes to places like Rohtang Pass, Lahaul and Spiti.

Hassle Free
Manali seems to be a natural beauty embellished with sophistication of modern world. You can avail the rare comfort of venturing without a wallet, just use your plastic money at any of the nearest ATMs or swipe your credit card as all the leading stores, hotels and luxury resorts accept VISA cards. Everything seems to be so spontaneous and hassle free here, there's no hiccups or hurdles getting anywhere around the town. Manali is well networked with the rest of region through its perennial flow of taxis, buses, and flights. Manali offers an exquisite claque of hotels and stays that blends both luxury and affordability for travelers. At high end, you can embrace the luxuries of a five star hotel, for shallow pockets there are much cheaper rooms available at a price of Rs 700 a night. The forest cottages provides a unique option for traveler’s looking to spend a night talking to stars in piercing scents of deodar trees with prices staggering low at Rs 1500 a night.

In the Search for Peace and Solitude
You can search for solitude in its tranquil forest resorts that offers complete seclusion from outer World. May be that’s the reason writer's find a mystic solace in its mesmerizing deodar forests that ignites oodles of literary wonders. The towns nearby embraces a rich elegance in their laid back culture, these regions looms around a mysterious lifestyle, by living a self contented life totally unknown to modern world's. Just follow a lonely path through a forest near your resort and it will lead you to a quaint village, spend some time talking with local people and you will feel their intense warmth and gesture for outsiders. The people here treat their guest’s like gods.

Adventure Sports In Kullu Manali
After exploring the local naturals you must be feeling thirsty for something extraordinary, surprising or may be adventurous. The toughest trekking trails along the rocky terrains of Rohtang valley will surely let you relive the dormant athlete in you. Imagine flying like a bird sprawling your wings over the world's eyes, this is not a dream, no more, experience this virtual to reality by Paragliding on the breathtaking valley of Solang. Don't miss a rare chance of gyrating the turbulent waters of river beas on a spunky kyak. For fishing enthusiasts, Katrain, Raison, Kasol, Larji, and Nagar are some of the ideal places for trout.

A unique confluence of natural highs: Kullu Manali India

India Unveiled: A warm up, a teaser following up to your adventure in Kullu Manali

India offers an alluring invitation for every traveler to indulge in its picture perfect views of snow clad Himalayas in North, swirling sands in Rajasthan play a charismatic veil of monuments and forts waiting to seduce a lonely traveler with their incredible beauty and artistry; sandy dunes along the crystal clear waters of beaches in south provide an ultimate source of Vitamin SEA. And after you are finished up with your adventures in north set yourself free on a peaceful trail in a canoe moving swiftly on the pristine backwaters of Kerala.

An Ultimate Adventurer’s Trove: Kullu Manali

But if you are a crazy adventurer then please pack-up your adventure gear and board a bus plying to Kullu Manali in North India. Kullu Manali is a comfortable 10 hours journey from New Delhi. It is well connected to the rest of India with smooth National Highways; making the journey for travelers hassle free. These are the twinlet towns in the mesmerizing land of gods “Himachal Pardesh, India”.

Manali, situated at an altitude of 6000 feet, is a renowned hill station in India. According to a fabled story, when whole world drowned in the catastrophic floods, arose a place of unparalleled natural beauty? It was Manali here the life prospered again.

Manali offers a rare treat for your eyes as every shot of its natural beauty presents an ultimate picture. Miles away from those busy streets of city life, here’s a chance for you to walk through the narrow alleys in dense forests, exotic flowers and gurgling streams. Manali is also a vital transcending point for interesting trek routes to places like Rohtang Pass, Lahaul and Spiti.

Hassle Free

Manali seems to be a natural beauty embellished with sophistication of modern world. You can avail the rare comfort of venturing without a wallet, just use your plastic money at any of the nearest ATMs or swipe your credit card as all the leading stores, hotels and luxury resorts accept VISA cards. Everything seems to be so spontaneous and hassle free here, there's no hiccups or hurdles getting anywhere around the town. Manali is well networked with the rest of region through its perennial flow of taxis, buses, and flights. Manali offers an exquisite claque of hotels and stays that blends both luxury and affordability for travelers. At high end, you can embrace the luxuries of a five star hotel, for shallow pockets there are much cheaper rooms available at a price of Rs 700 a night. The forest cottages provides a unique option for traveler’s looking to spend a night talking to stars in piercing scents of deodar trees with prices staggering low at Rs 1500 a night.

In the Search for Peace and Solitude

You can search for solitude in its tranquil forest resorts that offers complete seclusion from outer World. May be that’s the reason writer's find a mystic solace in its mesmerizing deodar forests that ignites oodles of literary wonders. The towns nearby embraces a rich elegance in their laid back culture, these regions looms around a mysterious lifestyle, by living a self contented life totally unknown to modern world's. Just follow a lonely path through a forest near your resort and it will lead you to a quaint village, spend some time talking with local people and you will feel their intense warmth and gesture for outsiders. The people here treat their guest’s like gods.

Adventure Sports In Kullu Manali

After exploring the local naturals you must be feeling thirsty for something extraordinary, surprising or may be adventurous. The toughest trekking trails along the rocky terrains of Rohtang valley will surely let you relive the dormant athlete in you. Imagine flying like a bird sprawling your wings over the world's eyes, this is not a dream, no more, experience this virtual to reality by Paragliding on the breathtaking valley of Solang. Don't miss a rare chance of gyrating the turbulent waters of river beas on a spunky kyak. For fishing enthusiasts, Katrain, Raison, Kasol, Larji, and Nagar are some of the ideal places for trout.

Kullu and Cannabis

Kullu is well known for its temples, rich crafts, finely embossed shawls and cultural festivals that enliven the intense fervor of localites for their respected deities and age old customs. You can feel the chilling winds whistling across the vergant expanse of apple orchards and fruit gardens nearby. Kullu is also called "The Fruit Basket of North India" for its abundant produce of apple and plum. But one thing that adds an illicit profanity to Kullu is "Cannabis" or Charas. It's easy and it's accessible here, thus eluding a lot of foreigners that come here in search for those intimate moments in narcotic-highs. They love lurking the narrow alleys through wild cannabis. A confluence of regions enthralling beauty with celestial highs of Charas, it's a bumper bonanza for tourists and they don't seem to miss the brigade.

Places to visit

Sultanpur Palace

This palace is hot throbbed by art lovers looking to plunge into the vibrant colours of kullu style miniature paintings. This style showcases the simple laid-back cultures and untouched natural beauty of the region.

Manikaran Hot spring baths

After your grueling battles with the naturals of Kullu Manali, it's time to satiate your mind body and soul with rejuvenating bath at hot springs in Manikaran. It's amazing how local people cook their food by the spring and there are separate baths for men and women.

Other places of Sheer Scenic Beauty

The road to Kullu Manali runs along the turbulent waters of river Beas. It's flanked by lofty mountains and spreading forests. On this road is Katrain, famous for its fruit orchards and its trout hatchery. Near Katrain, across the river, is a small town Naggar, which came into being by the famous Russian painter, Nicholas Roerich, whose artworks can be seen here. Jagatsukh, the biggest village of the district on the Naggar-Manali road, is popular for its annual Chacholi Yatra.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to be in Kullu Manali is from April-October when summers are at their crest and winters to follow. The whole business activities, hotels, rest houses, shops come to a stand still with winter seasons. The vibrant towns go into a state of hibernation after a dense snowfall each year. But with the onset of April month the whole town seems to be reignited in same old legendary charms.How to Get There

Kullu Manali is well connected with perennial network of buses, trains and flights that run here throughout the year, thus making these sleepy towns alive in summers, when the roads are busy and markets at smiles with flourishing tourism industry. There are daily flights with Jagson Airways from Delhi to the Kulu Valley's Bhuntar airport which is 10 km. from Kullu town where taxis/buses are available. The closest narrow gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar, 95 km. from Kullu. By road, the distance via Mandi is 530 km. and from Shimla this is 240 km. From Delhi and Shimla, luxury buses ply to Kullu.

Conducted Tours
Kullu is well known for its temples, rich crafts, finely embossed shawls and cultural festivals that enliven the intense fervor of localites for their respected deities and age old customs. You can feel the chilling winds whistling across the vergant expanse of apple orchards and fruit gardens nearby. Kullu is also called "The Fruit Basket of North India" for its abundant produce of apple and plum. But one thing that adds an illicit profanity to Kullu is "Cannabis" or Charas. It's easy and it's accessible here, thus eluding a lot of foreigners that come here in search for those intimate moments in narcotic-highs. They love lurking the narrow alleys through wild cannabis. A confluence of regions enthralling beauty with celestial highs of Charas, it's a bumper bonanza for tourists and they don't seem to miss the brigade.

Places to visit

Sultanpur Palace
This palace is hot throbbed by art lovers looking to plunge into the vibrant colours of kullu style miniature paintings. This style showcases the simple laid-back cultures and untouched natural beauty of the region.

Manikaran Hot spring baths
After your grueling battles with the naturals of Kullu Manali, it's time to satiate your mind body and soul with rejuvenating bath at hot springs in Manikaran. It's amazing how local people cook their food by the spring and there are separate baths for men and women.

Other places of Sheer Scenic Beauty
The road to Kullu Manali runs along the turbulent waters of river Beas. It's flanked by lofty mountains and spreading forests. On this road is Katrain, famous for its fruit orchards and its trout hatchery. Near Katrain, across the river, is a small town Naggar, which came into being by the famous Russian painter, Nicholas Roerich, whose artworks can be seen here. Jagatsukh, the biggest village of the district on the Naggar-Manali road, is popular for its annual Chacholi Yatra.

Best Time to Visit
The best time to be in Kullu Manali is from April-October when summers are at their crest and winters to follow. The whole business activities, hotels, rest houses, shops come to a stand still with winter seasons. The vibrant towns go into a state of hibernation after a dense snowfall each year. But with the onset of April month the whole town seems to be reignited in same old legendary charms.How to Get There

Kullu Manali is well connected with perennial network of buses, trains and flights that run here throughout the year, thus making these sleepy towns alive in summers, when the roads are busy and markets at smiles with flourishing tourism industry. There are daily flights with Jagson Airways from Delhi to the Kulu Valley's Bhuntar airport which is 10 km. from Kullu town where taxis/buses are available. The closest narrow gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar, 95 km. from Kullu. By road, the distance via Mandi is 530 km. and from Shimla this is 240 km. From Delhi and Shimla, luxury buses ply to Kullu.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Travel to India » Hill Stations » Shimla Vacations

Shimla Hill Station
Shimla is, today, a beautiful mountain resort. In summer there is the attraction of excellent walks and treks with the scenic beauty of flowers, wooded ravines and evergreen trees. Golf and fishing are popular sports.
In winter, known as the season of "long moon nights", here is snow and winter sports at Kufri and Narkanda. The only natural ice-skating carnival is held during the winter.

WHAT TO SEE

» Jakhu Hill (2455 meters) offer an excellent view of the snow-clad Himalayas.

» Himachal State Museum. Has a collection of Pahari miniature paintings of this region.

» The erstwhile Vice regal Lodge and Chaura Maidan.

» The Glen, Summer hill, Prospect Hill, Tara Devi and Sankat Mochan are picnic spots from where there are excellent views of Shimla and the mountains.

EXCURSIONS

» Wildflower Hall (13 km.), now a hotel, has wonderful mountain flowers and magnificent views of the Himalayas.

» Mashobra (13 km.), has picturesque walks through forests of oak and pine.

» Kufri (16 km.) and Narkanda (65 km.), are excellent skiing bases in winter.

» Fagu (22 km.) at a height of 2510 meters, has interesting views of the valley.

» Chail (45 km.), former summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala, is a peaceful heaven in the mountains.

» Tattapani hot spring (51 km.).

» Barog (55 km.), another beautiful spot.

» Kasauli (77 km.), a hill resort of special interest to bird-watchers.

» Rohru (104 km.), ideal for fishing holiday.

» Chandigarh (117 km.), city designed by French architect Le Corbusier.

» Kulu (234 km.), Manali (274 km.), in the Valley of the Gods, are two of the most beautiful hill resorts of the Himalayas.

SHOPPING
Shawls, embroidered woollens, hand-made shoes, wooden toys and other articles made of wood.

SPORTS
Treks Shimla is the base for treks to the Kulu Valley via Jalori Pass or via Bashleo Pass and to the Kalpa and Kinnaur Valleys.
Golf is popular in the scenic golf course at Naldehra.
Fishing for trout in the Pabbar river is allowed from February to October.
Skiing at Kufri and Narkanda Ski Resort from end December to early March.
Ice skating in water and roller skating in summer

Sunday, December 2, 2007

CHRISTMAS CELBRATIONS

Christmas in India
Christmas in India is celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm and joy! Though Christmas is not a major Indian festival as Christians are in minority in India nevertheless, it has become an important festival over the years. Today people from other religions and communities participate in the Christmas festivities with marked fervor and zest.
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Days before Christmas market places, shop, streets and churches are decorated with scenes of nativity, lights and stars. People prepare variety of sweets and cakes before the Christmas day. These are offered to visitors and neighbors. Especially, non-Christian neighbors wait excitedly for the Christmas cakes. Exchanging gifts and cards is an important part of Christmas festival. Children in particular, enjoy the festival the most as they get to participate in the native plays and Christmas carnivals conducted by schools or socio-cultural clubs. Kids also receive gifts from their favorite Santa Claus.
Christians in India attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and light votive candles in the church. The ritual is followed by Christmas carols, balls on the Christmas day and tempting Christmas meals.

Christmas Decorations in India
One of the unique features of Christmas in India is the use of banana or mango tree for decoration instead of traditional pine tree. This is the time for people to flaunt their creativity. They decorate these trees with colorful ribbons, blinking lights, stars and sparkled balls and use poinsettia flower to decorate churches. In South India, people put oil-lamps of clay on their flat roof-tops to let everyone feel the presence of God in light.

Christmas in Goa
Christmas is celebrated with great zeal in Goa - the state rich for its culture and spirited people. Interestingly, not only the natives enjoy the festive mood of Christmas but the tourists also participate in each and every Christmas custom. Christmas carnival in Goa lasts from Christmas eve till New Year which makes the environment more fun 'n' frolic. During this period, Goans along with the visiting tourists immerse themselves in music, dance and the Yuletide spirit. All roads and especially the mesmerizing beaches of Goa are thronged by people enjoying every moment of the festival with drinks, music and lavish food.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Chamunda Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh

Mata Temples in India
Vaishno Devi Temple | Kamakhya Temple | Mansa Devi Temple | Karni Mata Temple | Chamunda Devi Temple | Kalkaji Mandir | Durgiana Temple | Amba Mata Temple | Chattarpur Temple | Jwalamukhi Temple | Naina Devi Temple | Dakshineswar Kali Temple | Mangalagauri Temple | The Durga Temple, Varanasi | Devi Kanaka Durga Temple | Shree Durga Parameshwari Temple | Bhadra Kali Temple | Chandi Devi Temple | Bhagavathi Temple | Devi Patan Temple | Bhadrakali Temple | Mookambika Devi Temple | Vidyashankara Temple | Chamundeswari Temple | Annapoorneshwari Temple | Marikamba Temple | Banashankari Temple

Chamunda is a little station on the Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow gauge railway track. There’s the Chamunda Devi Temple here, right on the banks of the Baner River. It is also a pretty picnic spot with a good view of the mountains, the Baner Khad (khad means hillside) and the Pathiar and Lahl forests.
The temple is dedicated to goddess Kali (a form of Shakti or power, also goddess of war) in her wrathful avatar (form) of Chamunda.

¤ The Legend Associated To The Temple

As with so many temples in India, this one too has a legend to it.
It has to do with the two demons, Chanda and Munda, trying to harass the goddess Ambika. The duo, followers of the notorious demon king, Shumbh Nishumbh, once set out for the Himalayas with their chaturangini army. Upon reaching here, they saw the devi (goddess) sitting high up on a peak, smiling to herself. Chanda and Munda then flew their arrows at her.

Furious at this, Ambika knitted her brows and lo! From their folds emerged this terrifying form of Kali, decked up in a cheetah skin sari (long piece of cloth cleverly draped by Indian women) and a garland of skulls. Kali fought all the demons singlehandedly and killed Chanda and Munda. Pleased, Ambika declared that Kali would now be worshipped here as Chamunda – a compound of Chanda and Munda. That is how the temple is supposed to have come up.

The Chamunda Devi Temple is said to be more than 700 years old. It is a pretty big complex with even a kund (tank) where devotees take a dip. The idol in the main temple is considered so sacred that even the eyes of devotees are not allowed to touch upon it; it is kept completely concealed beneath a red cloth. At the back of the temple is a cave-like scoop where a stone lingam (phallic symbol of Shiva) under a boulder represents Nandi Keshwar (Shiva). There are several brightly painted figures of gods and goddesses around the place.

¤ Transport
Buses between Palampur and Dharamsala will drop you at the Chamunda Devi Temple

Saturday, November 17, 2007

PLACES OF PEACE AND POWER

The Golden Temple


I am often asked what my favorite sacred places are in the world, among the many hundreds I have visited. I could not choose one in particular, but included in the top ten would certainly be the Golden Temple. It is a place of both stupendous beauty and sublime peacefulness. Originally a small lake in the midst of a quiet forest, the site has been a meditation retreat for wandering mendicants and sages since deep antiquity. The Buddha is known to have spent time at this place in contemplation.Two thousand years after Buddha's time, another philosopher-saint came to live and meditate by the peaceful lake. This was Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh religion. After the passing away of Guru Nanak, his disciples continued to frequent the site; over the centuries it became the primary sacred shrine of the Sikhs. The lake was enlarged and structurally contained during the leadership of the fourth Sikh Guru (Ram Dass, 1574-1581), and during the leadership of the fifth Guru (Arjan, 1581-1606), the Hari Mandir, or Temple of God was built. From the early 1600s to the mid 1700s the sixth through tenth Sikh Gurus were constantly involved in defending both their religion and their temple against Moslem armies. On numerous occasions the temple was destroyed by the Moslems, and each time was rebuilt more beautifully by the Sikhs. From 1767 onwards, the Sikhs became strong enough militarily to repulse invaders. Peace returned to the Hari Mandir.

The temple's architecture draws on both Hindu and Moslem artistic styles yet represents a unique coevolution of the two. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), Hari Mandir was richly ornamented with marble sculptures, golden gilding, and large quantities of precious stones. Within the sanctuary, on a jewel-studded platform, lies the Adi Grantha, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. This scripture is a collection of devotional poems, prayers, and hymns composed by the ten Sikh gurus and various Moslem and Hindu saints. Beginning early in the morning and lasting until long past sunset, these hymns are chanted to the exquisite accompaniment of flutes, drums, and stringed instruments. Echoing across the serene lake, this enchantingly beautiful music induces a delicate yet powerful state of trance in the pilgrims strolling leisurely around the marble concourse encircling the pool and temple. An underground spring feeds the sacred lake, and throughout the day and night pilgrims immerse themselves in the water, a symbolic cleansing of the soul rather than an actual bathing of the body. Next to the temple complex are enormous pilgrims' dormitories and dining halls where all persons, irrespective of race, religion, or gender, are lodged and fed for free.

Amritsar, the original name of first the ancient lake, then the temple complex, and still later the surrounding city, means "pool of ambrosial nectar." Looking deeply into the origins of this word amrit, we find that it indicates a drink of the gods, a rare and magical substance that catalyzes euphoric states of consciousness and spiritual enlightenment. With this word we have a very clear example of the spirit, power, or energetic character of a particular place becoming encoded as an ancient geographical place name. The myth is not just a fairy tale. It reveals itself as a coded metaphor if we have the knowledge to read the code: The waters of Amritsar flowing into the lake of the Hari Mandir were long ago - and remain today - a bringer of peacefulness.



Hari Mandir, Amritsar, India



Sikh pilgrims at the Golden Temple, Amritsar, India

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Haridwar - Where the Ganges is revered

Haridwar located in the foothills of the Himalayas, represents the point where the Ganga reaches the plains. Haridwar is an ancient pilgrimage site, held in reverence for centuries. The Chinese pilgrim Hyuen Tsang who visited India in the first millennium CE, describes Haridwar as Mayura, on the eastern banks of the Ganges. Several temples and ashrams dot this town and a visit to Haridwar is like stepping into a totally different world.
Legend has it that Bhagiratha, brought the Ganges into the earth, and into this point where his ancestors were burnt to ashes by the curse of the sage Kapila. Kapilastaan, a spot in Haridwar is pointed to as Kapila's hermitage. Haridwar was once known as Gangadwara.

View of Evening prayers at Hari-ki-pairi (known for a footprint of Vishnu on a stone in a wall) in Haridwar

View of Evening prayers at Hari-ki-pairi (known for a footprint of Vishnu on a stone in a wall) in Haridwar


Haridwar (and Rishikesh) represents the gateway to the Himalayan pilgrimage shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. The pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrines begins only when the sun reaches the zodiac sign of Aries. Haridwar is also the site of celebration of the Kumbha Mela, once in twelve years, when Jupiter transits to the zodiac sign of Aquarius.
The five sacred bathing spots in Haridwar are Gangadwara, Kankhal, Nila Parvata, Bilwa Theertha and Kusavarta. The main ghat at Haridwar is known as Hari-ki-Pairi (known for a footprint of Vishnu on a stone in a wall). Nearby is the Gangadwara temple, the most important of the several temples that dot this town. The Ganga Aarti which is celebrated at 7 pm each night, is a spectacular sight, when the aarti ceremony is performed at all temples in Haridwar at the same instant (see image above). Hundreds throng to the ghats at Hari-ki-Pairi to participate in this festival. Offerings of lamps and flowers are made to the river immediately following this ceremony and it is a moving sight to watch hundreds of miniature lamps float along the river.

Near Haridwar are the towns of Mayapuri and Kankhal. Kankhal houses the Daksheswara temple, said to be the site of Daksha's yagna, which was destroyed by Shiva.