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LOC Gwalior

Hindi is by far the predominant language of Gwalior with nearly 96% of residents speaking it as their first language. Sindhi and Marathi are spoken by 1% each.

Gwalior Languages

LOC Delhi, LOC Gird, LOC Gwalior, LOC Madhya Pradesh

Gwalior is located at 26.22°N 78.18°E / 26.22; 78.18. in northern Madhya Pradesh 300 km (186 miles) from Delhi. It has an average elevation of 197 metres (646 feet). Most part of it comes under the Gird area.

Gwalior Geography

LOC Tigra Dam, LOC Sank, LOC Swarna Rekha, LOC Gwalior, LOC Padav, LOC Gwalior Zoo

The Tigra Dam is located on the outskirts of the city. The dam is now being used to store water from the Sank river and supply water to the city. The reservoir is used for leisure activities including speed boating, paddle boating, and water scooters. The Swarna Rekha river is a reconstructed part of the Swarna Rekha river which was dried during the British raj. Boat rides run between Padav in central Gwalior to Gwalior Zoo.

Gwalior Waterways

LOC Lashkar, PER Prince of Cambridge, LOC Garden, LOC Gandhi Park, LOC Ambedkar Park, LOC Gwalior, LOC Phool Bagh, LOC Gwalior Zoo

The Lashkar part of Gwalior has many parks, including the Phool Bagh, or the garden of flowers, built to welcome the Prince of Cambridge and the Italian Garden – the garden which was used by the Scindias as a place of relaxation, is Italian in architecture with a water pool surrounded by musical fountains. Ambedkar Park and Gandhi Park are other prominent parks. Gwalior Zoo provides a home for white tigers, serpents, golden pheasants, sambar, hyena, bison, and others.

Gwalior Parks and gardens

PER Köppen, LOC India, LOC Delhi, LOC Jaipur, LOC Gwalior

Gwalior has a sub-tropical climate with hot summers from late March to early July, the humid monsoon season from late June to early October, and a cool dry winter from early November to late February. Under Köppen's climate classification the city has a humid subtropical climate. The highest recorded temperature was 48 °C and the lowest was −1 °C. Summers start in late March, and along with other cities like Jaipur and Delhi, are among the hottest in India and the world. Temperatures peak in May and June with daily averages being around 33–35 °C (93–95 °F), and end in late June with the onset of the monsoon. Gwalior receives 900 mm (35 in) of rain on average per year, most of which is concentrated in the Monsoon months (from late June to early October). August is the wettest month with about 310 mm (12 in) of rain. Winter in Gwalior starts in late October, and is generally very mild with daily temperatures averaging in the 14–16 °C (58–62 °F) range, and mostly dry and sunny conditions. January is the coldest month with average lows in the 5-6 °C range (41-42 °F) and occasional cold snaps that plummet temperatures down to a single digit.

Gwalior Climate

ORG World Health Organization, LOC Gwalior

Gwalior was found to have the second-highest level of air pollution according to a World Health Organization study in 2016. Particulates from the burning of garbage and fossil fuels make breathing the of this city a hazard.

Gwalior Environment

ORG Supreme Court of India, LOC India, ORG Gwalior Municipal Corporation, LOC Jabalpur, ORG Madhya Pradesh High Court, ORG District Court, PER Lashkar, ORG Gwalior Gram panchayat, LOC Madhya Pradesh, ORG Nyayalaya, LOC Gwalior

The administration of Gwalior is shared between the departments and institutions of three levels of government – civic administration by the Gwalior Municipal Corporation, state administration by government of Madhya Pradesh, and the central government of India. The judiciary has four levels: the lowest level being the Gwalior Gram panchayat (or "Gram Nyayalaya"). Above the gram panchayat is the District Court for Gwalior district sits Lashkar. Above that, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has its main seat in Jabalpur, but also a permanent bench in Gwalior city. The final court of appeal is the Supreme Court of India.

Gwalior Government

LOC Lashkar, PER Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar, ORG Gwalior Municipal Corporation, ORG Bharatiya Janta Party, LOC Morar, LOC Gwalior, ORG Indian Administrative Service

The Gwalior Municipal Corporation is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city, which is divided into 66 wards. Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar was the mayor of Gwalior Municipal Corporation before becoming a Member of Parliament as a Bharatiya Janta Party in the 2019 Lok sabha elections. Now there is no Mayor for Gwalior as of August 2019. The Municipal Commissioner, a member of the Indian Administrative Service, is responsible for the corporations finances and for the services and works conducted for the city.Gwalior Municipal Corporation covers an area of 289 square kilometres (112 sq mi). The municipality was created on 6 June 1887 with two divisions for Lashkar and Morar, which later were merged with a single constitutional body.

Gwalior Gwalior Municipal Corporation

ORG Madhya Pradesh, ORG Office of The Transport, LOC Madhya Pradesh, ORG Office of The State Excise Commissioner, ORG Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, ORG Office of, LOC Lashkar West, LOC Gird, ORG Board of Revenue, ORG Office of The Commissioner - Land Records & Settlements, LOC Gwalior East, ORG Pradesh, ORG President, LOC Gwalior Rural, LOC Madhya, LOC Lashkar East, ORG Commissioner, LOC Gwalior South, LOC Gwalior

There are four seats in the state legislative assembly (the "Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha") responsible for the Gwalior municipal area, the constituencies being Gwalior, Gwalior Rural, Gwalior East and Gwalior South. Prior to the 2008 boundary changes the seats were "Gird", "Lashkar East" and "Lashkar West".State institutions include: Office of The President-Board of Revenue of Madhya Pradesh Office of The Transport-Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh Office of The Commissioner-Land Records & Settlements Madhya Pradesh Office of The State Excise Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh

Gwalior State government

ORG LNIPE, ORG Cantonment, ORG Ministry of Railways, ORG Indian Army Cantonment, ORG Office of The Accountant - General, ORG Central Potato Research Institute, PER Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar, ORG OTA, ORG NCC, ORG Central Reserve Police Force, ORG Central Bureau of Narcotics, ORG Bharatiya Janata Party, ORG Madhya Pradesh Defense Research & Development Establishment, ORG Border Security Force, LOC Maharajpura Airbase, ORG Centre for Advanced Maintenance Technology, ORG Central Intelligence Bureau HO, ORG CRPF, ORG Indian Air Force, PER Narendra Singh Tomar, ORG BSF, ORG Academy National Cadet Corps, LOC Shivpuri Link Road, ORG Officer ' s Training Academy, ORG Office of The Narcotics Commissioner of India, ORG BJP, LOC Morar, ORG AG, ORG DRDE, ORG National Institute of physical Education, LOC Gwalior, ORG IAF

The national assembly seat covering Gwalior is the Gwalior (Lok Sabha constituency). The seat was held by Narendra Singh Tomar of the BJP. In May 2019, Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar of Bharatiya Janata Party had been elected as the Member of Parliament from Gwalior.Central government institutions include: Office of The Accountant-General (AG) of Madhya Pradesh Defense Research & Development Establishment (DRDE) Border Security Force (BSF) Academy National Cadet Corps (NCC) Officer's Training Academy (OTA) Indian Air Force (IAF) Station (Maharajpura Airbase). Office of The Narcotics Commissioner of India (Central Bureau of Narcotics) Central Intelligence Bureau HO laxmibai National Institute of physical Education (LNIPE) Indian Army Cantonment (Morar Cantonment) Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) ([Shivpuri Link Road Ghatigao Gwalior)] Central Potato Research Institute, Gwalior Centre for Advanced Maintenance Technology (Ministry of Railways)

Gwalior Central government

LOC SVPI, ORG India, LOC Dholpur, LOC Jhansi Junction, LOC Allahabad, LOC GWL, LOC Agra, LOC Delhi, LOC MAS, ORG Indian Railways, LOC Mumbai, LOC Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, LOC Sheopur, LOC North, LOC Varanasi, LOC LineGwalior, ORG SOE, LOC New Delhi, LOC Bombay, ORG Gwalior Light Railway, LOC Gwalior Junction, ORG Maharaja, ORG North Central Railways, LOC Eastern India, LOC Bhopal, LOC Bhind, LOC Chennai, LOC Central India, LOC Kolkata, LOC Barauni, LOC Gwalior Railway Station, LOC India, LOC Shivpuri, ORG North Central Railway, LOC Nagpur, LOC JHS, LOC Etawah, LOC Jhansi, ORG Central Railway, LOC Gwalior, LOC Sheopur Kalan

Gwalior is a major railway junction in the Northern central region. The Gwalior Junction (Station code: GWL) is the part of the North Central Railways. Gwalior is one of the few places where both narrow gauge and broad gauge railways tracks are operational. Gwalior is the terminus for the longest narrow gauge route operating in the world, covering a distance of 198 km from Gwalior Junction to Sheopur. Gwalior Junction is a five railway track intersection point. It won an award for the best and cleanest station of North Central Railway zone. Goes to Agra (AGC) Goes to Jhansi (JHS) Goes to Shivpuri (SVPI) Goes to Etawah (ETW) Goes to Sheopur Kalan (SOE) on Narrow Gauge LineGwalior is one of the major commercial railway stations of the North Central Railway, whose zone headquarters is centred in Allahabad. The station has won awards from Indian Railways for excellent clean infrastructure in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1992. It is in the Adarsh Station Category of Indian Railways. Gwalior Light Railway connects to the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Sheopur. It is the junction point to reach tourist destinations like Shivpuri, Dholpur and Bhind. Gwalior is on the Main train line between Delhi (station code: NDLS) and Mumbai (Bombay) (CSTM) and between Delhi and Chennai (MAS). Some trains starting here and travelling towards Eastern India via Gwalior Junction – Jhansi Junction provide direct connections to points in eastern India including Kolkata, Barauni, Varanasi, and Allahabad. There are about fifty trains to New Delhi and Agra every day, and around the same number of trains to the Bhopal and Nagpur stations. However, fewer trains are available for long routes like Mumbai and Chennai. The luxury trains – the Maharaja Express and the India on Wheels – stop at Gwalior on their week-long round trip of tourist destinations in Central India. More than 180 trains stop at Gwalior Railway Station

Gwalior Railway Station Gwalior

LOC Indore, LOC Dholpur, LOC National Highway, LOC Mathura, LOC Jabalpur, LOC Delhi, LOC Madhya Pradesh, LOC Yamuna Expressway, LOC New Delhi, LOC Bombay, LOC NH3, LOC Bhopal, LOC Bhind, LOC Datia, LOC Morena, LOC India, LOC Shivpuri, LOC Etawah, LOC Jaipur, LOC Jhansi, LOC Gwalior, LOC Agra

Gwalior is fairly well connected to other parts of Madhya Pradesh and India by national and state highways. The proposed North-south-Corridor of the Golden-Quadrilateral Highway project passes through the city. The Agra-Bombay national highway (NH3) passes through Gwalior, connecting it to Shivpuri on one end and Agra on the other. The Yamuna Expressway is easily accessible from Agra for the travelers going to New Delhi. The city is connected to the Jhansi by the National Highway 75, towards the south of the city. The northern part of the city is connected to the city of Mathura via National Highway 3. There are bus services to and from all major and minor cities near Gwalior, including Bhopal, Agra, Delhi, Jabalpur, Jhansi, Bhind, Morena, Dholpur, Etawah, Datia, Jaipur, and Indore.

Gwalior Road

LOC Indore, LOC VIGR, LOC Gwalior Airport, LOC Mumbai, LOC Pune, LOC Jammu, LOC Ahemdabad, LOC GWL, ORG Indian Air Force Base, LOC Delhi, LOC Hyderabad, LOC Jaipur, LOC Kolkata, LOC Gwalior, LOC Rajamata Vijaya Raje Scindia Airport, LOC Banglore

Gwalior Airport (IATA: GWL, ICAO: VIGR), also called Rajamata Vijaya Raje Scindia Airport, is the airport of Gwalior. It has an Indian Air Force Base which stations Mirage fighters. Daily flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Banglore, Mumbai, Pune , Ahemdabad, Jaipur, Indore, and Jammu are available from Gwalior airport.

Gwalior Airport

ORG Municipal Corporation, LOC Gwalior, PER Shivraj Singh Chouhan, LOC India

Gwalior's public transport system mainly consists of Tempos, auto rickshaw taxis, Ola Cabs, and micro-buses. The Municipal Corporation's "Gwalior City Bus" covers some routes in the city. Blue Radio taxis are also available in Gwalior. The Tempos and auto rickshaws are often cited as a cause of pollution and road congestion, and the local government has plans to replace the Tempos with vans that will run on liquefied petroleum gas. In 2018, a 3 km cycle track was built in the city, and the city became the fourth in India to have this type of facility.The Gwalior Metro is the proposed project for Gwalior city. The project was announced by state CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 17 October 2014. Hence district administration is preparing a DPR(Detailed Project Report) for The Gwalior Metro.

Gwalior Local public transport

PER Akhtar, PER Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PER Nida Fazli, PER Aasutosh Panigrahi, PER Muztar Khairabadi, LOC Bundeli, PER Kavi Anil, PER Kusumavati Deshpande, PER Javed Akhtar, ORG Guinness World Records, PER Jan Nisar Akhtar, LOC Gwalior, LOC Braj

Gwalior holds a major and a special position in the Indian classical music, art and literature. Gwalior is a well acknowledged place of art, associated with historic as well as contemporary evidence. In August 2005 a mural created by Aasutosh Panigrahi and five other artists was acknowledged as the World's Largest Indoor Mural by Guinness World Records. Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, the conference on Marathi Literature was held in Gwalior in 1961. It was presided over by writer Kusumavati Deshpande (herself a poet and also the wife of Kavi Anil). She was the first female president of the annual Sammelan since its inception in 1878. Culturally Gwalior is the confluence of two rich cultures Bundeli and Braj. In more recent times, Akhtar family has been based out of Gwalior for at least three generations with Muztar Khairabadi, his son Jan Nisar Akhtar and his grandson Javed Akhtar being the prominent literary figures. Nida Fazli, one of the most famous Indian Hindi and Urdu poets grew up here. Former Indian Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is also a well known writer and poet.

Gwalior Art and literature

PER Raja Man Singh Tomar, PER Akbar, PER Baiju Bawra, PER Baiju, PER ध्रुपद, PER Dhrupadiya, PER Amjad Ali Khan, ORG Gwalior, PER Man Singh, PER Drupad, PER Swami Guru Haridas Ji, PER Ghulam Ali Khan Bangash, PER Tansen, PER Bakshu, LOC Tansen Tomb, PER Baijnath Prasad, PER Nayak Charju, LOC India, LOC Chanderi, LOC Vrindaban, LOC Gwalior

Raja Man Singh Tomar, the King of Gwalior between 1486 and 1516 CE, was a patron of Drupad (Hindi: ध्रुपद). Dhrupad is a vocal genre in Hindustani classical music, said to be the oldest still-in-use in that musical tradition. Its name is derived from the words "dhruva" (fixed) and "pada" (words). The term may denote both the verse form of the poetry and the style in which it is sung. Gwalior holds a major position in the Indian classical music, with being the birthplace of the oldest Hindustani sangeet gharana – Gwalior Gharana. Gwalior holds an unparalleled reputation in Sangeet and has retained Indian traditions and the wealth of music intact over the years. The Gwalior Gharana is not only the oldest Khyal Gharana but it is also one of the most prominent gharana being the one to which most classical Indian musicians can trace the origin of their style. The rise of the Gwalior Gharana started with the reign of the great Mughal emperor Akbar (1542–1605). Akbar's favourite singer was Tansen, who came from the Gwalior area and whose ashes were buried in Gwalior after his death. The Tansen Tomb in Gwalior was constructed in his remembrance. Tansen Festival started in the 1930s, and currently artists from all over India come to perform in the festival. Baijnath Prasad (also known as Baiju Bawra) was a classical singer (Dhrupadiya) who lived in Gwalior for his whole life under the patronage of Man Singh. Baiju was born in Chanderi and was cremated there. He received his musical training in Vrindaban under Swami Guru Haridas Ji. He was the court musician of Gwalior along with Nayak Charju, Bakshu, and others. Sarod player Amjad Ali Khan is also from Gwalior. His grandfather, Ghulam Ali Khan Bangash, became a court musician in Gwalior.

Gwalior Music

LOC India, ORG Academy of the Department of Culture, LOC Madhya Pradesh, LOC Tansen Tomb, ORG Tansen, LOC Gwalior

The Tansen Sangeet Samaroh (Tansen Music Festival) is celebrated every year on the Tansen Tomb in Gwalior during the month of December. Tansen Samaroh is a platform where artists from all over India gather and participate to deliver vocal and instrumental performances. The Tansen Sangeet Samaroh is organised by the government of Madhya Pradesh, in association with the Academy of the Department of Culture. During the festival, music lovers and artists from all over the world gather to offer their tribute to Tansen. The academy offers honours to senior celebrities and junior artists by including them in the Samaroh through their performed music.

Gwalior Tansen Music Festival

PER Hafiz Ali Khan, LOC Sarod Ghar, LOC Museum of Music

This Museum of Music has been set up in the old ancestral house of musician Hafiz Ali Khan. It houses ancient instruments of the Indian masters of the past. It also houses a collection of photographs and documents. Sarod Ghar is an institution devoted to promoting Indian classical music, heritage and culture. Through this 'window' to the past, music lovers can gain a better understanding of the evolution and history of Indian classical music and a deeper perspective and insight into the context of the art as it exists today.

Gwalior Sarod Ghar

ORG Hathway Win, ORG Lemon, ORG Swadesh, ORG My FM, ORG Dainik Jagran, ORG Big FM, ORG Raj Express, ORG Sandhya Samachaar, ORG BPN Times, ORG Red FM, ORG Harsh Networks, ORG Nav Bharat, ORG Chaska FM, ORG Youth Engine, ORG SouLSteer, ORG Gwalior Sandesh, ORG in Pages, ORG Dainik Madhya Raj, ORG Aalekh, ORG Patrika, ORG KMJ Communications, ORG People ' s Samachar, ORG Dainik Adityaz, ORG Dainik Bhaskar, ORG Doordarshan, ORG DEN, ORG Sudarshan Express, ORG Naidunia, LOC Gwalior

There are newspapers, magazines, local TV stations and four FM radio stations in Gwalior. Patrika is the leading newspaper and Dainik Bhaskar is one of the oldest and most widely read newspapers. Swadesh and Naidunia are other well-established newspapers. More newspapers published in Gwalior are BPN Times, Raj Express, Dainik Madhya Raj, Nav Bharat, Youth Engine, Dainik Jagran, People's Samachar, Dainik Adityaz. Evening newspapers are Sandhya Samachaar, Gwalior Sandesh, Sudarshan Express. "Aalekh-Life in Pages" is one of the leading youth magazine published and widely read across the city. SouLSteer magazine is a bi-monthly lifestyle and automotive magazine in Gwalior. The radio industry has expanded with private FM channels being introduced. The FM radio channels that broadcast in the city include Big FM (92.7 MHz), Red FM (93.5), Chaska FM (95 MHz), My FM (94.3 MHz), and Lemon (91.9 MHz). The state-owned company, Doordarshan, transmits two terrestrial television channels. Major local channels include Hathway Win, Harsh Networks, KMJ Communications, and DEN networks.

Gwalior Media and communication

PER Dhyan Chand, LOC Railway Hockey Stadium, LOC India, PER Vishal Kaim, ORG Lakshmibai National University for Physical Education, LOC Jhansi, PER Roop, LOC West Indies, PER Ankit Sharma, LOC Singh Stadium, LOC Gwalior, LOC Asia

Lakshmibai National University for Physical Education (operational since 1957) is the largest physical education institutions in Asia. Gwalior also has the Railway Hockey Stadium with artificial turf. Captain Roop Singh Stadium is a cricket ground with a capacity of 45,000. The stadium has hosted 10 One Day International (ODI) matches. Of the ten matches played so far, the first one was played between India and West Indies on 22 January 1988. The ground has flood lights and has also hosted day-night encounters. One match of the 1996 Cricket World Cup was also played on this ground, between India and West Indies. Dhyan Chand was a famous hockey player from Jhansi which is near Gwalior. Ankit Sharma is a cricketer from Gwalior and plays in the Indian Premier League. Athletics are also played in this city, Vishal Kaim was the youngest hammer thrower of India when he participated in National Athletics Games in 2006 at the age of 14 years.

Gwalior Sports

PER Dhyan Chand, ORG LNIPE, ORG Vikram University, ORG of India, ORG Jiwaji University, ORG LNCPE, ORG GDCA, ORG Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, LOC Government, PER Rani Lakshmibai, ORG West Indies, ORG LCPE, LOC West Indies, PER Sachin Tendulkar, ORG Autonomous College, LOC Stadium, LOC South Africa, ORG Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education, ORG Gwalior District Cricket Association, PER Roop Singh, LOC India, LOC Ghatigaon, ORG Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, ORG MPCA, LOC Ujjain, LOC Jhansi, ORG Lakshmibai College of Physical Education, ORG Ministry of Education & Culture, LOC Gwalior, LOC Shankarpur

Captain Roop Singh Stadium is a cricket ground in Gwalior. The stadium has hosted ten One Day International (ODI) matches. Of the ten matches played so far, the first one was played between India and West Indies on 22 January 1988. It can hold 45,000 people at a time. It was originally a hockey stadium named after great Indian hockey player Roop Singh, brother of hockey player Dhyan Chand. The ground has flood lights and has hosted day-night encounters as well. One match of the 1996 Cricket World Cup was also played on this ground, between India and West Indies. This ground is notable for hosting the ODI between India and South Africa in which Sachin Tendulkar scored the first-ever double century in ODI cricket. The Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education (LNIPE), Gwalior was established by the Ministry of Education & Culture, Government of India as Lakshmibai College of Physical Education (LCPE) in August 1957, the centenary year of the War of Independence. It is located at Gwalior, where Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, a heroine of the war, died during the rebellion in 1857. The Institute started as an affiliated college of the Vikram University, Ujjain and then came to the folds of Jiwaji University, Gwalior in 1964. The institute was given the status of National importance, and hence it was renamed as Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE) in 1973. In recognition of its unique status and character and to facilitate its further growth, the college was conferred the status of an ′Autonomous College′ of Jiwaji University, Gwalior in 1982. A new international stadium at Shankarpur village near Ghatigaon tehsil has been proposed by Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA). The proposed stadium will be built on a land of 30 acres, which has been taken over by Gwalior District Cricket Association (GDCA). The construction of the proposed stadium is expected to be completed in 2020. It will have a seating capacity of around 100,000 spectators. It will also be equipped with flood lights for night matches, a swimming pool, sauna bath, modern gym, dressing room, and 30 corporate boxes.

Gwalior Stadium and Sports University

LOC Gwalior

Gwalior has developed into a significant centre of education. It hosts several prominent government and private universities and institutions including the following:

Gwalior Education

ORG Ministry of Human Resource Development, ORG No. 1 Air Force School, LOC India, ORG Delhi Public School, ORG Army Public School, ORG Scindia School, ORG Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, ORG Government Of India, ORG Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 4, ORG IPSC, LOC Gwalior, ORG Kendriya

Gwalior has five Kendriya Vidyalayas (managed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government Of India), several engineering and technological institutes, and more than thirty affiliated engineering colleges. The Scindia School, a boarding school for boys, and all India ranked 3rd among other IPSC Boarding schools by the Education World, Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya (a boarding school for girls), Delhi Public School, Gwalior are also located in Gwalior city. Other notable schools and colleges include No. 1 Air Force School, Gwalior and Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 4, Gwalior.Army Public School, Gwalior

Gwalior Prominent Institutes in Gwalior

ORG J. B. Mangharam Ltd, ORG Gwalior Grasim, LOC NH, LOC Sitholi, LOC New Delhi, ORG J. C. MILLS, LOC Agra, LOC Banmore, LOC Birlanagar, LOC NCR, LOC Gwalior, LOC Malanpur

Gwalior is surrounded by three industrial areas – Sitholi, Banmore and Malanpur. All three of these sectors are on NH 75, NH-3 and NH 92 respectively, with Malanpur being the largest. The city once had large manufacturing industries, such as Gwalior Grasim and J.C. MILLS of Birlanagar, but now this sector is left with only one major factory – J.B.Mangharam Ltd. The important industries in the other sectors are dairy, chemical, manufacturing, and textiles. Handicraft and small industries are also found. Gwalior is also an important historical and tourism sector of the country. Therefore, the tourism sector also puts an effect into the city's economy. Gwalior is one of the CMAs to New Delhi to dissipate the load of urbanization from NCR (see § Future developments). Most of the population is involved with trading firms or are self-employed. Many run OMEs and SMEs with Gwalior and Agra as the local market. The city is scattered with coaching institutes and educational institutions which provide employment to a large section of city's population.

Gwalior Economy

PER Maharaja Madho Rao Scindia, LOC Gwalior, LOC Madhya Pradesh, LOC India

Gwalior Trade Fair was started in 1905 by Maharaja Madho Rao Scindia, King of Gwalior. The Gwalior Trade Fair is an annual trade fair showcasing the economy of Gwalior. It has become the biggest fair of Madhya Pradesh and one of the most colourful fairs of India. It starts in the second week of January and continues until February.

Gwalior Trade fair

LOC Morar Cantonment, LOC Gwalior

The 2011 census put the population of Gwalior's urban area / metropolitan region, comprising Gwalior and Morar Cantonment, at 1,117,740.

Gwalior Gwalior Metro and suburbs

PER Mohaommed Ghaus, PER Shah Abdul Gafoor, PER Akbar, LOC Kashi Naresh ki gali, PER Baba Kapoor, PER Gazi, PER Muhammad Ghaus, LOC Rajaji Ka Bada, LOC Gwalior Fort, PER Lord Shiva, PER Khwaja Khanoon, PER Mian Tansen, LOC Koteshwar Temple, LOC Ghas Mandi, LOC Ghauspura, LOC gwalior, LOC Koteshwar Mahadev, LOC Kashi Naresh ki Gali, LOC Kila Gate, PER Kashi, LOC Hazira, LOC Gwalior

The old town of Gwalior, commonly called Kila Gate is around 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from Hazira, the largest area in old town, which is of considerable size but irregularly built. It lies at the eastern base of the rock and contains the tomb of the Sufi saints, Khwaja Khanoon and Muhammad Ghaus, erected during the early part of Mughal emperor Akbar’s reign, and the tomb of Mian Tansen, a great singer and one of the 'Nine Jewels' of Akbar's court. A town called by his name Ghauspura situated near the tomb of Mohaommed Ghaus.reold town consisted of some streets and mohallas which are presumed to be 700 to 800 yrs old areas in gwalior which are still backward areas in gwalior due to improper management of new town. these old areas are as follows. Koteshwar Temple. This temple is a 700 year old temple of Lord Shiva whose shivling was on Gwalior Fort, but when the Mughals conquered it they ordered the shivling thrown out. When the troops did that, the shivling was automatically established in a field below the fort without any harm. Muslim Gazi told the emperor not to harm the shivling. In the late 18th century Scindias built a temple for that shivling, now known as Koteshwar Mahadev. Baba Kapoor- this place is 500 meters away from Ghas Mandi. This place was named Baba Kapoor because of saint Shah Abdul Gafoor. Kashi Naresh ki gali- this a 600 year old residential street in Gwalior it was given name as Kashi Naresh ki gali because in the 14th century when the emperor of Kashi was defeated in war he was sent to exile by oppositions at that time Gwalior emperor and Kashi's emperor were good friends when Kashi's emperor told Gwalior's emperor whole story, emperor gave him an entire street for living at that time which is now known as Kashi Naresh ki Gali. their family even now resides there in Kashi Naresh ki gali in Rajaji Ka Bada. (Meanings: naresh = king = rajaji; gali = street in Hindi language; bada = big area.)

Gwalior Old town

LOC Versailles, LOC Lashkar, LOC Saank, LOC Jai Vilas Palace, LOC Maharaj Bada, LOC Tighra Dam, ORG Gajra Raja Medical College, LOC Jiwaji Chowk, LOC Jayaji Chowk, PER Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia, LOC Madhya Bharat, PER Maharani Vijayaraje Scindia, LOC Palace Road, ORG Scindia, LOC Katora Taal, LOC Gwalior

The name of Lashkar is a Persian word meaning 'army' or 'camp', as this was originally the camp, and later the permanent capital, of the Scindia dynasty of Gwalior state. Lashkar was the capital of Madhya Bharat from 1950 to 1956. Jiwaji Chowk is the central focus of Lashkar, with a large square, a former opera house, banks, tea, coffee and juice stands and a municipal market building. Thriving bazaars surround the chowk. Many jewellery shops are situated near Jayaji Chowk, also known as Maharaj Bada. A source of water for the city is Tighra Dam, built on the Saank river 20 km to the north. The Gajra Raja Medical College, founded in 1946 by the Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia and the Maharani Vijayaraje Scindia, is situated in Lashkar on Palace Road, near Katora Taal, together with a group of hospitals. Jai Vilas Palace, patterned on the French palace of Versailles, is located here.

Gwalior Lashkar Subcity

LOC Residency Road, PER Rao Sahib, PER Rani Lakshmibai, PER Jayajirao, PER Maharaja, ORG Saint Paul ' s School, LOC Sun Temple, ORG Pragati Vidyapeeth School, PER Tatya Tope, LOC Morar, LOC Morar Cantonment, ORG Army, ORG Indian Army, LOC Central India, LOC Gwalior, LOC Pinto Park, LOC Agra

Morar Cantonment, formerly a separate town, lies 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east of the old city. It was formerly a British military cantonment. Morar is generally considered a rural farming town. The area is known as the "green part" of Gwalior because much of the area is still rural. Morar was the scene of the most serious uprising in Central India. On 1 June 1858, Jayajirao led his forces to Morar to fight a rebel army led by Tatya Tope, Rani Lakshmibai and Rao Sahib. This army had 7,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry and 12 guns while he had only 1,500 cavalry, his bodyguard of 600 men and 8 guns. In this attack, the rebel cavalry took the guns and most of the Gwalior forces except the bodyguard went over to the rebels (some deserted). The Maharaja and the remainder fled without stopping until they reached the British garrison at Agra. By 1900 it had become a centre for local trade and had an important training industry, with a population of 19,179 in 1901. The Sun Temple is situated in Morar at Residency Road. The cantonment area makes up a large area of Morar which contains official residences for the Indian Army. It has many canteens for Army personnel. Saint Paul's School and Pragati Vidyapeeth School are nearby. There is an air force base in the Pinto Park region.

Gwalior Morar Cantonment

LOC Mayur, LOC Govindpuri, LOC Dushyant Nagar, LOC Dwarikadhish Mandir, LOC Chauhan Pyaau, LOC Darpan Colony, LOC Bhagwan, LOC Thatipur, LOC Saraswati Nagar, LOC Shanti Vihar, LOC Sai Baba Mandir, ORG State Army Unit 34, LOC Balwant Nagar, LOC Ramkrishna Aashram, LOC Suresh Nagar, LOC Gayatri Vihar, LOC Tomar, LOC Shakti Vihar, LOC Galla Kothar, LOC Gandhi Road, LOC Shakuntalapuri, LOC Morar, LOC Vivek Nagar, PER Chauhan, LOC Madhav Rao Scindhiya Enclave

Thatipur is said to have got its name from State Army Unit 34, which once resided there. Gandhi Road divides Thatipur into two areas. Morar at one end of the road and Balwant Nagar on the other. Thatipur primarily consists of residential areas like Darpan Colony, Madhav Rao Scindhiya Enclave, the government blocks, Vivek Nagar, and Suresh Nagar. Places of note are the Dwarikadhish Mandir, Bhagwan colony, Tomar building, Chauhan Pyaau (The Chauhan family), Galla Kothar, Ramkrishna Aashram, Saraswati Nagar, Govindpuri, Gayatri Vihar, Shakti Vihar, Shakuntalapuri, Dushyant Nagar, Shanti Vihar, and Mayur market along with Sai Baba Mandir in Shakti Vihar colony.

Gwalior Thatipur

ORG Hospital, ORG Shri Anandpur Trust, ORG Biochemic and Homoeopathic Association of, LOC J. A. Hospital, LOC Sahara Hospital, ORG SATCH, LOC Charitable, LOC Kamla Raja Hospital, ORG Vasundhara Raje Homoeopathic Medical College, ORG BIMR, ORG Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, ORG Gajara Raja Medical College, LOC Hospital, LOC Mascot Hospital, LOC Gwalior

The prominent hospitals of Gwalior include Gajara Raja Medical College and the associated J.A. Hospital, Kamla Raja Hospital, Sahara Hospital, Mascot Hospital, BIMR Hospital, Cancer Hospital & Research Institute and many private doctor clinics. The Cancer Hospital & Research Institute is a nationally acclaimed medical centre in Oncology. There is also a charitable hospital named SATCH (Shri Anandpur Trust Charitable Hospital) which provides free treatment. There is a government Ayurvedic college and a private homoeopathic college (Vasundhara Raje Homoeopathic Medical College) which is run by the Biochemic and Homoeopathic Association of Gwalior, also providing health care education and services.

Gwalior Healthcare

LOC Gwalior West, ORG Cimmco, ORG Hotline, ORG Grasim Gwalior, LOC National Capital Region

Gwalior West is being developed as a "Counter Magnet" project with funding support from the National Capital Region. It has been introduced to increase investment in education, industry and real estate. This is hoped to counteract the closing of manufacturers such as Hotline, Cimmco and Grasim Gwalior. The Gwalior Master plan launched by the local collector and municipal corporation initiates to improve the basic civic infrastructure of the city to meet the growing population of the city as well as to make the city beautiful for tourists.

Gwalior Future developments

PER Emperor Babur, PER Sufi Saint Ghous Mohammed, PER Raja Man Singh Tomar, PER Daulat Rao Scindia, LOC Sher Shah Mandir, PER Akbar, LOC Hind, PER Sher Shah Suri, LOC Delhi, PER Tomar Rajput, PER Islam Shah, LOC Gibraltar of India, PER Man Singh Tomar, LOC Gujari Mahal, LOC Lashkar, LOC Gwalior Fort, LOC China, PER Mian Tansen, PER Hemu, ORG Gwalior Municipal Corporation, LOC Fort, LOC North India, PER Gujar, LOC India, PER Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, LOC Morar, PER Mrignayani, LOC Sher Shah Fort, LOC Gwalior

At the heart of Gwalior is Gwalior Fort of the Tomara dynasty. This structure was reputed to be one of the most structurally sound forts of India, having been improved by Raja Man Singh Tomar where a previous structure existed. It occupies an isolated rock outcrop. The hill is steepened to make it virtually unscalable and is surrounded by high walls which enclose buildings from several periods. The old town of Gwalior lies at the eastern base of the fortress. Lashkar, founded by Daulat Rao Scindia, formerly a separate town that originated as a military camp, lies to the south, and Morar, also a formerly separate town, lies to the east. Gwalior, Lashkar and Morar are part of the Gwalior Municipal Corporation.The Fort, popularly called "the Gibraltar of India", overlooks the city. The Emperor Babur reputedly described it as "the pearl in the necklace of the forts of Hind". This fort's architecture is unique. It displays a Chinese influence on Indian architecture, as Chinese dragons have been crafted at the hilt of the pillars. This influence was due to trade between China and India at the time of the fort's construction. After the death of Sher Shah Suri in 1545, who was ruling North India at that time, his son Islam Shah shifted his capital from Delhi to Gwalior and constructed 'Sher Shah Mandir' (or 'Sher Shah Fort') in his father's memory. Islam Shah operated from Gwalior until his death in 1553. Islam Shah had appointed the Hindu warrior 'Hemu' or Hem Chandra Vikramaditya as his Prime Minister in Sher Shah Fort for the first time, who later on became the Hem Chandra Vikramaditya king at Delhi and established 'Hindu Raj' in North India. In the east of the city are two examples of early Mughal architecture: the mausoleum of the 16th century Sufi Saint Ghous Mohammed and the tomb of Mian Tansen, a singer and one of the 'Nine Jewels' of the Mughal Emperor Akbar's court. Right next to them is the Gujari Mahal, built by Tomar Rajput King Man Singh Tomar on demand of his consort Gujar princess Mrignayani. Close to the heart of the city is Jai Vilas Palace of the Scindia dynasty, patterned on the palace of Versailles. It combines Tuscan, Italian and Corinthian styles of architecture. Historically and architecturally, Gwalior is interesting first as an ancient seat of Jain worship; second for its example of palace architecture of the Hindu period between 1486 and 1516; and third as an historic fortress. Many historical places are found near the Dabra-Bhitarwar Road. Prior to the founding of Gwalior, the region was also known by its ancient name of Gopasetra. Gwalior had an institutional seat of the Bhattarakas of Kashtha Sangh and later Mula Sangh.

Gwalior Gwalior Fort

PER Parshvanath, LOC Gwalior Fort, LOC Gopachal Parvat, LOC Tomar

Gopachal Parvat is situated on the mountainous terrain at the slopes of Gwalior Fort. Gopachal Parvat contains unique statues of Jain Tirthankaras. The idol of Parshvanath seated on a lotus (carved out of a single stone) is the largest in the world, towering at 14 metres (46 ft) in height and 9 metres (30 ft) in breadth. There is a series of 26 Jain statues in a single line. Built between 1398 and 1536 by Tomar kings, these Jain Tirthankar statues are one of a kind in architecture.

Gwalior Gopachal

LOC Gwalior, LOC Siddhachal Caves, LOC India

Jain rock-cut sculptures of Siddhachal Caves – A striking part of the Jain remains at Gwalior is a series of caves or rock-cut sculptures, excavated in the rock on all sides, and numbering nearly a hundred, great and small. Most of them are mere niches to hold statues, though some are cells that may have been originally intended for residences. According to inscriptions, they were all excavated within a short period of about thirty-three years, between 1441 and 1474. One of the colossal figures is 57 ft (17 m) high, taller than any other in northern India.

Gwalior Siddhachal Caves

LOC Sas - Bahu temple, PER Lord Vishnu, PER Sas, LOC Shashtra Bahu, PER Bahu, LOC Sas - Bahu Temple

Sas-Bahu Temple, a 9th-century shrine, Sas-Bahu temple in the fort allures not only the devotees but also the tourists with its artistic value. Despite what its name may suggest, these temples are not dedicated to Sas (mother-in-law) and Bahu (daughter-in-law) but rather the short form of Shashtra Bahu, another name for Lord Vishnu. These temples situated adjacent to each other and the larger one is elaborately decorated with carvings and sculptures. The roof of the larger temple is adorned with a lotus carving.

Gwalior Sas-Bahu Temple

PER Keith, LOC Telikā Mandir, PER Prathihara Vishnu, LOC Gwalior Fort, LOC Telangana Mandir, LOC Teli Ka Mandir, PER Garuda

Teli Ka Mandir (Telangana Mandir) – A structure of about 100 feet, Teli Ka Mandir in Gwalior Fort distinguishes itself from the other compositions of its time because of its unique architecture. The temple bears a close resemblance to the temple of Prathihara Vishnu, and is filled with images of coiled serpents, passionate couples, river goddesses, and a flying Garuda. The temple architecture follows the Indo-Aryan and Nagara styles and is believed to be among the oldest constructions in the fort. The Telikā Mandir, or 'oil-man's temple', owes its name to Teli, a term for an oil grinder or oil dealer. Many suggestions have been put forward to explain this name historically, but in fact the name is not old, the temple being used for processing oil before the British occupied the fort and used the building, albeit temporarily, as a coffee shop. The Telikā Mandir is the loftiest temple among all the buildings in Gwalior Fort with a height of about 30 meters. The temple consists of a garba griha, that is, sanctum proper for the deity, and an antarala to enter into the temple. It can be approached by a flight of steps provided on the eastern side. The most striking feature of the temple is the wagon-vaulted roof, a form used over rectangular shrines which normally accommodated a row of Mother Goddesses. The goddesses from the interior vanished centuries ago and have not been traced. The exterior walls of the temple are decorated with sculptures, many of which are damaged; the niches, shaped like temples, are empty. The building carries a dedicatory inscription to the goddess in a niche on the southern side, but otherwise does not have any history. The architectural style points to a date in the late 8th Century. The entrance gateway on the eastern side is a later addition of the British period, made by Major Keith in 1881. It was built as a way of saving various historic pillars and other pieces no longer in their original context.

Gwalior Teli ka mandir

ORG Ltd, ORG P, LOC Madhya Pradesh, ORG Guinness World Records, ORG Modern Techno Projects, LOC Municipality Museum, LOC Gujari Mahal, PER Rani Lakshmibai, LOC Gwalior Fort, PER Mansingh Tomar, LOC Shyam Vatika, PER Guru, LOC Gurudwara Daata Bandi Chhorh, PER Guru Har Gobind, LOC Gurdwara, PER Adhyatma Niketan, LOC Modern 5D, LOC India, LOC Gurudwara, PER Mrignayani, PER Gujar, LOC Gwalior

Gurudwara Daata Bandi Chhorh- Gwalior Fort also has the Gurudwara, built in the memory of the sixth Sikh, Guru Har Gobind. This Gurudwara is particularly large and grand, built entirely of marble with coloured glass decorating the main building. Recital of the Guru Granth Sahib takes place here and Mughal kings used to visit Gwalior regularly. There is a Gurdwara that was converted to a mandir of "kalli devi" and process is on to take it back by Sikhs. Municipality Museum, is situated a little distance from Rani Lakshmibai's tomb. Modern 5D is Madhya Pradesh's first multi-dimensional theatre launched in the 2011 trade fair of Gwalior. It was built by Gwalior's leading enterprise Modern Techno Projects (P) Ltd. Modern 5D is recognised as India's first own multi-dimensional theatre. Shyam Vatika is a banquet hall which has the world's largest indoor mural, as recognised by Guinness World Records. Adhyatma Niketan is an important ashram near Gwalior Fort. Within the fort are some marvels of medieval architecture. The 15th century Gujari Mahal is a monument to the love of Raja Mansingh Tomar for his Gujar Queen, Mrignayani. The outer structure of Gujari Mahal has survived in an almost total state of preservation; the interior has been converted into an archaeological museum housing rare antiquities, some of them dating back to the 1st century A.D. Many of these have been defaced by the iconoclastic Mughals.

Gwalior Other monuments

LOC Versailles, LOC Jai Vilas Palace, LOC Gwalior, LOC Madhya Pradesh

Also called Jai Vilas Palace, is the residential palace turned museum of the Maratha rulers of Gwalior – the Scindias. The palace has notable collections of antiques. The museum is one of the largest in Madhya Pradesh and has the world's largest chandelier and the complex is a mixture of British and Hindu architecture. The palace was constructed in 1874 as an attempt to bring the palace of Versailles to Gwalior.

Gwalior Jai Vilas Mahal

PER Rani Lakshmibai, LOC Achaleshwar, PER Akbar, LOC Chatris, PER Jivajirao Scindia, PER Tansen, PER Gaus Mohammad, PER Vijayaraje Scindia, PER Madhavrao Scindia, LOC Gwalior, LOC Scindias, LOC Phoolbag

Chatris of Scindias is situated close to the city near Achaleshwar temple and is the burial place for the Scindias who ruled the city for numerous years. Designated persons like Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia, Vijayaraje Scindia and His Highness Jivajirao Scindia were cremated here. Tansen's tomb: Gwalior is the birthplace of the musician Tansen. He was one of the "Nine Gems of Akbar". Gaus Mohammad's tomb: The tombs of Great Gaus Mohammad and Tansen are situated on the same territory. Tomb of Rani Lakshmibai, a famous freedom fighter, at Phoolbag area. It is here where the she died in 1858 fighting against the British. It is also her burial place.

Gwalior Tombs and Chatris of historic importance

LOC Sun, LOC Tapovan, PER Surya, LOC Konark, LOC Sun Temple, LOC Odisha, LOC Vivsvaan mandir, LOC Gwalior State, PER Birla, LOC § Morar Cantonment

Located in § Morar Cantonment, the Sun Temple "Vivsvaan mandir" is dedicated to the sun god Surya. Designed as a facsimile of the Sun temple of Konark in Odisha, the temple was sponsored and built in the 1980s by the Birla family.The temple is located in a serene ambience and a well-maintained garden within the temple premises is very attractive. This holy temple draws the locals and tourists alike who gather here to render their prayers. Before the temple was built the gardens had the name Tapovan. The gardens were the location of an ill-fated attempt to introduce african lions by the Maharaja of Gwalior State.

Gwalior Sun Temple

PER Jayaji Rao, PER Shivendra Singh, PER Nida Fazli, ORG Kerala High Court, PER Radhika Veena Sadhika, PER Gharana Harshvardhan Rane, PER Bihari Lal, PER Jyotiraditya Scindia Madhavrao Scindia, LOC Bollywood, PER Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PER Madho Rao, PER Daulat Rao Sindhia Mahadaji Shinde Amjad Ali Khan, ORG Fevicol, PER Kartik Aaryan, PER Navniti Prasad Singh, ORG Scindia, PER Mamta Sharma, PER Abha Parmar, PER Pawan karan, PER Muhammad Ghawth, PER Akbar Narendra Singh Tomar Pran Kumar Sharma, PER Jiwajirao, PER Sharad Kelkar, PER Krishnarao Shankar Pandit, PER Tansen, PER Javed Akhtar, PER Munni Badnam, PER Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, ORG Meet Bros, PER Roop Singh, LOC India, ORG Scindia School, PER Jankoji Rao, PER Chacha Chaudhary, PER Meeta Pandit, PER Shifa Gwaliori, PER Piyush Mishra, LOC Gwalior, PER Kushal Tandon

Abha Parmar, actress Jyotiraditya Scindia Madhavrao Scindia Jiwajirao Scindia Madho Rao Scindia Jayaji Rao Scindia Jankoji Rao Scindia II Daulat Rao Sindhia Mahadaji Shinde Amjad Ali Khan, sarod player and musician Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India Javed Akhtar, famous poet, lyricist and writer, born in Gwalior Bihari Lal, famous Hindi poet Kartik Aaryan, actor, born in Gwalior Sharad Kelkar, actor, born in Gwalior Piyush Mishra, Indian film and theatre actor, music director, lyricist, singer, scriptwriter. Mamta Sharma, singer [Munni Badnam, Fevicol se etc.], born in Gwalior Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, famous Hindi writer, born in Gwalior Nida Fazli, famous Urdu writer and poet Roop Singh, Indian hockey player and Olympian Shivendra Singh, Indian national hockey player, born and lives in Gwalior Tansen, court musician of the Mughal emperor Akbar Narendra Singh Tomar Pran Kumar Sharma, cartoonist and comic creator of Chacha Chaudhary fame moved here after the Partition lior Krishnarao Shankar Pandit, noted musician of the Gwalior gharana Meet Bros, the musician duo hail from Gwalior. Pawan karan, Noted Indian major Hindi poet and writer. Meeta Pandit, famous musician of Gwalior Gharana Harshvardhan Rane, Telugu and Bollywood actor Kushal Tandon, Indian television actor. He did his schooling at Scindia School in Gwalior Navniti Prasad Singh, former Chief Justice of Kerala High Court Shifa Gwaliori, Indian Urdu poet Muhammad Ghawth, Indian Sufi saint and author Radhika Veena Sadhika, world's first woman vichitra veena player.

Gwalior Notable people

LOC Vijayanagara Empire, LOC Kshetra, LOC Persia, LOC Virupaksha Temple, LOC Karnataka, LOC Hosapete, LOC South India, LOC Portugal, ORG UNESCO, PER Tirtha, LOC Hampi, LOC Hampe, LOC Group of Monuments, LOC India, LOC Pampaa Devi, LOC Beijing, LOC Vijayanagara, LOC Tungabhadra River, LOC Adi Shankara

Hampi or Hampe, also referred to as the Group of Monuments at Hampi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Hampi town, Vijayanagara district, east-central Karnataka, India.Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. It was a fortified city. Chronicles left by Persian and European travellers, particularly the Portuguese, say that Hampi was a prosperous, wealthy and grand city near the Tungabhadra River, with numerous temples, farms and trading markets. By 1500 CE, Hampi-Vijayanagara was the world's second-largest medieval-era city after Beijing, and probably India's richest at that time, attracting traders from Persia and Portugal. The Vijayanagara Empire was defeated by a coalition of Muslim sultanates; its capital was conquered, pillaged and destroyed by sultanate armies in 1565, after which Hampi remained in ruins.Located in Karnataka near the modern-era city of Hosapete, Hampi's ruins are spread over 4,100 hectares (16 sq mi) and it has been described by UNESCO as an "austere, grandiose site" of more than 1,600 surviving remains of the last great Hindu kingdom in South India that includes "forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, mandapas, memorial structures, water structures and others".Hampi predates the Vijayanagara Empire, it is mentioned in the Ramayana and the Puranas of Hinduism as Pampaa Devi Tirtha Kshetra. Hampi continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, an active Adi Shankara-linked monastery and various monuments belonging to the old city.

Hampi Introduction

PER Indra, LOC Hospet, PER Kamadeva, LOC Hubli, LOC Toranagallu, PER Parvati, LOC Jindal Vijaynagar Airport, LOC Hemakuta Hill, LOC Karnataka, LOC Goa, LOC Bhaskara, LOC Hosapete, LOC Bengaluru, LOC Andhra Pradesh, LOC Aihole, LOC Kishkindha, PER Kama, LOC Hampi, LOC Badami, PER Hampi, LOC Pampa, PER Shiva, PER Sati, LOC Tungabhadra River, PER Pampa

Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the eastern part of central Karnataka near the state border with Andhra Pradesh. It is 376 kilometres (234 mi) from Bengaluru, and 165 kilometres (103 mi) from Hubli. The closest railway station is in Hosapete (Hospet), 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) away and the closest airport is 32 kilometres (20 mi) Jindal Vijaynagar Airport in Toranagallu which has connectivity to Bengaluru. Overnight buses and trains also connect Hampi with Goa, and Bengaluru. It is 140 kilometres (87 mi) southeast of the Badami and Aihole archaeological sites.The synonym Hampi—traditionally known as Pampa-kshetra, Kishkindha-kshetra or Bhaskara-kshetra—is derived from Pampa, another name of the goddess Parvati in Hindu theology. According to mythology, the maiden Parvati (who is a reincarnation of Shiva's previous wife, Sati) resolves to marry the loner ascetic Shiva. Her parents learn of her desire and discourage her, but she pursues her desire. Shiva is lost in yogic meditation, oblivious to the world; Parvati appeals to the gods for help to awaken him and gain his attention. Indra sends Kamadeva — the Hindu god of desire, erotic love, attraction, and affection—to awake Shiva from meditation. Kama reaches Shiva and shoots an arrow of desire. Shiva opens his third eye in his forehead and burns Kama to ashes. Parvati does not lose her hope or her resolve to win over Shiva; she begins to live like him and engage in the same activities—asceticism, yogin and tapasya—awakening him and attracting his interest. Shiva meets Parvati in disguised form and tries to discourage her, telling her Shiva's weaknesses and personality problems. Parvati refuses to listen and insists in her resolve. Shiva finally accepts her and they get married. Kama was later brought back to life after the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. According to Sthala Purana, Parvati (Pampa) pursued her ascetic, yogini lifestyle on Hemakuta Hill, now a part of Hampi, to win and bring ascetic Shiva back into householder life. Shiva is also called Pampapati (meaning "husband of Pampa"). The river near the Hemakuta Hill came to be known as Pampa river. The Sanskrit word Pampa morphed into the Kannada word Hampa and the place Parvati pursued Shiva came to be known as Hampe or Hampi.The site was an early medieval era pilgrimage place known as Pampakshetra. Its fame came from the Kishkindha chapters of the Hindu epic Ramayana, where Rama and Lakshmana meet Hanuman, Sugriva and the monkey army in their search for kidnapped Sita. The Hampi area has many close resemblances to the place described in the epic. The regional tradition believes that it is that place mentioned in the Ramayana, attracting pilgrims. It was brought to light by an engineer named colonel Colin Mackenzie during the 1800s.

Hampi Location

PER Hampa - devi, LOC Nittur, PER Ashoka, LOC Pampapura, PER Burton Stein, LOC Vijaya Virupakshapura, LOC Virupaksha temple, LOC Udegolan, PER Badami Chalukya, LOC Durga, LOC South India, PER Kalyana Chalukyas, PER Hampadevi, LOC Bellary, LOC Virupakshapattana, LOC Virupaksha, LOC Hampi, PER Odeya, PER Shiva, LOC Hoysala Empire, PER Hampeya, LOC Maurya Empire

Emperor Ashoka's Rock Edicts in Nittur and Udegolan—both in Bellary district 269-232 BCE—suggest this region was part of the Maurya Empire during the 3rd century BCE. A Brahmi inscription and a terracotta seal dating to about the 2nd century CE have been found during site excavations. The town is mentioned in Badami Chalukya's inscriptions as Pampapura; dating from between the 6th and 8th centuries.By the 10th century, it had become a centre of religious and educational activities during the rule of the Hindu kings Kalyana Chalukyas, whose inscriptions state that the kings made land grants to the Virupaksha temple. Several inscriptions from the 11th to 13th centuries are about the Hampi site, with a mention of gifts to goddess Hampa-devi. Between the 12th and 14th centuries, Hindu kings of the Hoysala Empire of South India built temples to Durga, Hampadevi and Shiva, according to an inscription dated about 1,199 CE. Hampi became the second royal residence; one of the Hoysala kings was known as Hampeya-Odeya or "lord of Hampi". According to Burton Stein, the Hoysala-period inscriptions call Hampi by alternate names such as Virupakshapattana, Vijaya Virupakshapura in honour of the old Virupaksha (Shiva) temple there.

Hampi Ancient to 14th century CE

LOC Northern India, LOC Delhi Sultanate, LOC Kampili kingdom, LOC Kampili, LOC Vijayanagara Empire, PER Muhammad bin Tughlaq, PER Tughlaq, PER Bukka I, PER Nicholas Gier, PER Alauddin Khalji, PER Harihara I, PER Vidyaranya Kalajana, LOC Kakatiya, LOC Karnataka, LOC South India, PER Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, PER Baha - Ud - Din Gurshasp, LOC Vidyanagara, LOC Kakatiya Kingdom, PER Pitamahasamhita, LOC Tungabhadra, LOC Hampi, PER Pratap Rudra, LOC Śringeri, PER Vidyaranya, LOC Hoysala Empire, LOC Vijayanagara, LOC Dvarasamudra, PER Sivatatvaratnakara, PER Śarada Pītham

The armies of the Delhi Sultanate, particularly those of Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad bin Tughlaq, invaded and pillaged South India. The Hoysala Empire and its capital Dvarasamudra in southern Karnataka was plundered and destroyed in the early 14th century by the armies of Alauddin Khalji, and again in 1326 CE by the army of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.The Kampili kingdom in north-central Karnataka followed the collapse of Hoysala Empire. It was a short-lived Hindu kingdom with its capital about 33 kilometres (21 mi) from Hampi. The Kampili kingdom ended after an invasion by the Muslim armies of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. The Hindu women of Kampili committed jauhar (ritual mass suicide) when the Kampili soldiers faced defeat by Tughlaq's army. In 1336 CE, the Vijayanagara Empire arose from the ruins of the Kampili kingdom. It grew into one of the famed Hindu empires of South India that ruled for over 200 years.The Vijayanagara Empire built its capital around Hampi, calling it Vijayanagara. Many historians propose that Harihara I and Bukka I, the founders of the empire, were commanders in the army of the Hoysala Empire stationed in the Tungabhadra region to ward off Muslim invasions from the Northern India. Some claim that they were Telugu people, who took control of the northern parts of the Hoysala Empire during its decline. As per some of the texts such as Vidyaranya Kalajana, Vidyaranya Vritanta, Rajakalanirnaya, Pitamahasamhita, Sivatatvaratnakara, they were treasury officers of Pratap Rudra, the King of Kakatiya Kingdom. When Muhammad Bin Tughlaq came looking for Baha-Ud-Din Gurshasp (who was taking refuge in the court of Pratap Rudra), Pratap Rudra was overthrown and Kakatiya was destroyed. During this time the two brothers Harihara I and Bukka I, with a small army came to the present site of Vijayanagara, Hampi. Vidyaranya, the 12th Jagadguru of the Śringeri Śarada Pītham took them under his protection and established them on the throne and the city was called Vidyanagara in A.D. 1336.They expanded the infrastructure and temples. According to Nicholas Gier and other scholars, by 1500 CE Hampi-Vijayanagara was the world's second-largest medieval-era city after Beijing, and probably India's richest. Its wealth attracted 16th-century traders from across the Deccan area, Persia and the Portuguese colony of Goa. The Vijayanagara rulers fostered developments in intellectual pursuits and the arts, maintained a strong military and fought many wars with sultanates to its north and east. They invested in roads, waterworks, agriculture, religious buildings and public infrastructure. This included, states UNESCO, "forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, mandapas (halls for people to sit), memorial structures, gateways, check posts, stables, water structures, and more". The site was multi-religious and multi-ethnic; it included Hindu and Jain monuments next to each other. The buildings predominantly followed South Indian Hindu arts and architecture dating to the Aihole-Pattadakal styles, but the Hampi builders also used elements of Indian architecture in the Lotus Mahal, the public bath and the elephant stables.According to historical memoirs left by Portuguese and Persian traders to Hampi, the city was of metropolitan proportions; they called it "one of the most beautiful cities". While prosperous and in infrastructure, the Muslim-Hindu wars between Muslim Sultanates and Vijayanagara Empire continued. In 1565, at the Battle of Talikota, a coalition of Muslim sultanates entered into a war with the Vijayanagara Empire. They captured and beheaded the king Aliya Rama Raya, followed by a massive destruction of the infrastructure fabric of Hampi and the metropolitan Vijayanagara. The city was pillaged, looted and burnt for six months after the war, then abandoned as ruins, which are now called the Group of Monuments at Hampi.

Hampi 14th century and after

PER Colin Mackenzie, ORG Presidency, ORG Archaeological Survey, LOC United Kingdom, PER Abdul Razzaq, PER Rea, PER Devaraya II, PER Alexander Greenlaw, PER Tipu Sultan, LOC Hyderabad, PER Haidar Ali, LOC Mysore, ORG Archaeological Survey of India, PER Robert Sewell, LOC Hampi, PER Longhurst, PER Wadiyar, PER Hyder Ali, PER Alexander Rea, PER Mackenzie, LOC India, LOC British India, LOC Madras

Hampi and its nearby region remained a contested and fought-over region claimed by the local chiefs, the Hyderabad Muslim nizams, the Maratha Hindu kings, and Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan of Mysore through the 18th century. In 1799, Tipu Sultan was defeated and killed when the British forces and Wadiyar dynasty aligned. The region then came under British influence. The ruins of Hampi were surveyed in 1800 by Scottish Colonel Colin Mackenzie, first Surveyor General of India. Mackenzie wrote that the Hampi site was abandoned and only wildlife live there. The 19th-century speculative articles by historians who followed Mackenzie blamed the 18th-century armies of Haidar Ali and the Marathas for the damage to the Hampi monuments. The Hampi site remained largely ignored until the mid-19th century, when Alexander Greenlaw visited and photographed the site in 1856. He created an archive of 60 calotype photographs of temples and royal structures that were standing in 1856. These photographs were held in a private collection in the United Kingdom and were not published until 1980. They are the most valuable source of the mid-19th-century state of Hampi monuments to scholars.A translation of the memoirs written by Abdul Razzaq, a Persian envoy in the court of Devaraya II (1424–1446), published in the early 1880s described some monuments of the abandoned site. This translation, for the first time, uses Arabic terms such as "zenana" to describe some of the Hampi monuments. Some of these terms became the names thereafter. Alexander Rea, an officer of the Archaeological Survey department of the Madras Presidency within British India, published his survey of the site in 1885. Robert Sewell published his scholarly treatise A Forgotten Empire in 1900, bringing Hampi to the widespread attention of scholars. The growing interest led Rea and his successor Longhurst to clear and repair the Hampi group of monuments.The site is significant historically and archaeologically, for the Vijayanagara period and before. The Archaeological Survey of India continues to conduct excavations in the area.

Hampi Archaeological site

LOC Hoysala, PER Burton Stein, LOC Elephant, LOC Queen, LOC Ramachandra temple, LOC Virupaksha temple, LOC Vijayanagara, ORG UNESCO, LOC Deccan, PER Vijayanagara, LOC Hampi

Hampi is located in hilly terrain formed by granite boulders The Hampi monuments comprising the UNESCO world heritage site are a subset of the wider-spread Vijayanagara ruins. Almost all of the monuments were built between 1336 and 1570 CE during the Vijayanagara rule. The site has about 1,600 monuments and covers 41.5 square kilometres (16.0 sq mi).The Hampi site has been studied in three broad zones; the first has been named the "sacred centre" by scholars such as Burton Stein and othersl; the second is referred to as the "urban core" or the "royal centre"; and the third constitutes the rest of metropolitan Vijayanagara. The sacred centre, alongside the river, contains the oldest temples with a history of pilgrimage and monuments pre-dating the Vijayanagara empire. The urban core and royal centre have over sixty ruined temples beyond those in the sacred centre, but the temples in the urban core are all dated to the Vijayanagara empire. The urban core also includes public utility infrastructure such as roads, an aqueduct, water tanks, mandapa, gateways and markets, monasteries This distinction has been assisted by some seventy-seven stone inscriptions.Most of the monuments are Hindu; the temples and the public infrastructure such as tanks and markets include reliefs and artwork depicting Hindu deities and themes from Hindu texts. There are also six Jain temples and monuments and a Muslim mosque and tomb. The architecture is built from the abundant local stone; the dominant style is Dravidian, with roots in the developments in Hindu arts and architecture in the second half of the 1st millennium in the Deccan region. It also included elements of the arts that developed during the Hoysala Empire rule in the south between the 11th and 14th century such as in the pillars of Ramachandra temple and ceilings of some of the Virupaksha temple complex. The architects also adopted an Indo-Islamic style in a few monuments, such as the Queen's bath and Elephant stables, which UNESCO says reflects a "highly evolved multi-religious and multi-ethnic society".

Hampi Description

LOC Pampa, LOC Shiva, PER Vidyaranya, PER Shiva, PER George Michell, PER Krishnadevaraya, PER Parvati, LOC Virupaksha temple, PER Kama, LOC Durga, LOC Shiva temple, PER Rama, LOC Hampi, PER Sita, LOC Nandi

The Virupaksha temple is the oldest shrine, the principal destination for pilgrims and tourists, and remains an active Hindu worship site. Parts of the Shiva, Pampa and Durga temples existed in the 11th-century; it was extended during the Vijayanagara era. The temple is a collection of smaller temples, a regularly repainted, 50-metre (160 ft) high gopuram, a Hindu monastery dedicated to Vidyaranya of Advaita Vedanta tradition, a water tank (Manmatha), a community kitchen, other monuments and a 750 metres (2,460 ft)-long ruined stone market with a monolithic Nandi shrine on the east end.The temple faces eastwards, aligning the sanctums of the Shiva and Pampa Devi temples to the sunrise; a large gopuram marks its entrance. The superstructure is a pyramidal tower with pilastered storeys on each of which is artwork including erotic sculptures. The gopuram leads into a rectangular court that ends in another, smaller gopuram dated to 1510 CE. To its south side is a 100-column hall with Hindu-related reliefs on all four sides of each pillar. Connected to this public hall is a community kitchen, a feature found in other major Hampi temples. A channel is cut into the rock to deliver water to the kitchen and the feeding hall. The courtyard after the small gopuram has dipa-stambha (lamp pillar) and Nandi.The courtyard after the small gopuram leads to the main mandapa of the Shiva temple, which consists of the original square mandapa and a rectangular extension composed of two fused squares and sixteen piers built by Krishnadevaraya. The ceiling of the open hall above the mandapa is painted, showing the Shaivism legend relating to Shiva-Parvati marriage; another section shows the legend of Rama-Sita of the Vaishnavism tradition. A third section depicts the legend of the love god Kama shooting an arrow at Shiva to get him interested in Parvati, and the fourth section shows the Advaita Hindu scholar Vidyaranya being carried in a procession. According to George Michell and other scholars, the details and colour hues suggest all the ceiling paintings are from a 19th-century renovation, and the themes of the original paintings are unknown. The mandapa pillars have outsized yalis, mythical animal melding the features of a horse, lion and other animals with an armed warrior riding it—a characteristic Vijayanagara feature.The sanctum of the temple has a mukha-linga; a Shiva linga with a face embossed with brass. The Virupaksha temple also has smaller shrines for two aspects of Parvati-Pampa and Bhuvaneshwari to the north of the main sanctum. Bhuvaneshwari shrine is of Chalukyan architecture and it uses granite instead of pot stone. The compound has a northern gopura, smaller than the eastern gopura, that opens to the Manmatha tank and a pathway to the river with stone reliefs related to the Ramayana. To the west of this tank are shrines of Shaktism and Vaishnavism traditions, such as those for Durga and Vishnu respectively. Some of the shrines on this pilgrim's path were whitewashed in the 19th century under orders of the British India officer F.W. Robinson, who sought to restore the Virupaksha temple complex; whitewashing of this cluster of historic monuments has continued as a tradition.According to local tradition, the Virupaksha is the only temple that continued to be a gathering place of Hindus and frequented by pilgrims after the destruction of Hampi in 1565. The temple attracts large crowds; an annual fête with a chariot procession to mark the marriage of Virupaksha and Pampa is held in spring, as is the solemn festival of Maha Shivaratri. The temple has attracted criticism from tourists for its treatment of resident elephant, Lakshmi, who lives at the back of the temple in a narrow alleyway.

Hampi Virupaksha temple and market complex

PER Vishnu, LOC Hemakuta hill, LOC Narasimha, PER Krishna, LOC Krishnapura, PER Balakrishna, LOC Kamalapuram, LOC Virupaksha temple, PER Matsya, LOC Balakrishna temple, LOC Pushkarani, LOC Chennai, PER Yoga, PER Shiva Linga, PER Lakshmi, PER Narasimha, LOC Hampi, LOC Krishna temple

The Krishna temple, also called Balakrishna temple, on the other side of Hemakuta hill, is about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) south of Virupaksha temple. It is dated to 1515 CE; this part of the Hampi complex is called Krishnapura in inscriptions. In front of the ruined temple is a long market street, also referred to locally as the bazaar. Between the colonnaded stone shop ruins is a broad road that allowed chariots to transport goods to and from the market, and hosted ceremonial functions and festive celebrations. To the north of this road and middle of the market is a large Pushkarani—a public utility-stepped water tank with an artistic pavilion in its centre. Next to the tank is a public hall (mandapa) for people to sit. The temple opens to the east; it has a gateway with reliefs of all ten avatars of Vishnu starting with Matsya at the bottom. Inside is the ruined temple for Krishna and small, ruined shrines for goddesses. The temple compound is layered into mandapas, including an outer and an inner enclosure. The compound has two gopuram entrances. Inside, a 25 (5x5)-bay open mandapa leads to a 9 (3x3)-bay enclosed mandapa. The original image of Balakrishna (baby Krishna) in its sanctum is now in a Chennai museum. A modern road passes in front of the eastern gopura, linking Kamalapuram to Hampi. The western gopuram has friezes of battle formation and soldiers.South of the Krishna temple's exterior are two adjacent shrines, one containing the largest monolithic Shiva Linga and the other with the largest monolithic Yoga-Narasimha avatar of Vishnu in Hampi. The 3 metres (9.8 ft) Shiva Linga stands in water in a cubical chamber and has three eyes sketched on its top. South of this is the shrine for a 6.7 metres (22 ft)-high Narasimha—the man-lion avatar of Vishnu—seated in a yoga position. The Narasimha monolith originally had goddess Lakshmi with him, but it shows signs of extensive damage and a carbon-stained floor—evidence of attempts to burn the shrine down. The statue has been cleaned and parts of the shrine have been restored.

Hampi Krishna temple, market, Narasimha and linga

PER Shiva, PER Vishnu, LOC Achyutapura, PER Durga, LOC Achyutaraya temple, LOC Vishnu temple, PER Surya, PER Varaha, LOC Virupaksha temple, LOC Tungabhadra River, LOC Tiruvengalanatha temple, ORG Vijayanagara, LOC Hampi

The Achyutaraya temple, also called the Tiruvengalanatha temple, is about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) east of Virupaksha temple and a part of its sacred centre is close to the Tungabhadra River. It is referred to be in Achyutapura in inscriptions and is dated to 1534 CE. It is one of the four largest complexes in Hampi. The temple is unusual because it faced north. It is dedicated to Vishnu. In Vijayanagara times, the temple was traditionally approached from the river, first past a ceremonial tank then along the market street with a broad road. The temple had an outer gopuram leading into a courtyard with a 100-column hall and an inner gopuram leading to the Vishnu temple. On each side of each pillar in the 100-column hall are reliefs of avatars of Vishnu; other deities such as Shiva, Surya, Durga; scenes of daily life—rishi, amorous couples, jokers; people in yoga asanas; people in namaste poses; and Vijayanagara emblems.The temple gateway shows the Vijayanagara dynastic emblems; a boar from Varaha, a sword, the sun and the moon. The temple and the market street are ruined but their layout suggests it was a major market with streets provided for chariot traffic.

Hampi Achyutaraya temple and market complex

PER Devaraya II, LOC Vitthala, PER Achuytaraya, LOC Karakkoil, PER Krishna, PER Vithoba, PER Krishnadevaraya, LOC Virupaksha temple, PER S. Shettar, LOC Vijayanagara, LOC Tungabhadra River, PER Vitthala, PER Sadasivaraya, PER Garuda, LOC Hampi

The Vitthala temple and market complex is over 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) north-east of the Virupaksha temple near the banks of the Tungabhadra River. It is the most artistically sophisticated Hindu temple in Hampi, and is part of the sacred centre of Vijayanagara. It is unclear when the temple complex was built, and who built it; most scholars date it to a period of construction in the early-to-mid-16th century. Some of the books mention that its construction began during the time of Devaraya II and continued during the reign of Krishnadevaraya, Achuytaraya, and probably Sadasivaraya and it stopped probably due to the destruction of the city in 1565. The inscriptions include male and female names, suggesting that the complex was built by multiple sponsors. The temple was dedicated to Vitthala, a form of Krishna also called Vithoba. The temple opens to the east, has a square plan and features an entrance gopuram with two side gopurams. The main temple stands in the middle of a paved courtyard and several subsidiary shrines, all aligned to the east. The temple is a unified structure in a courtyard measuring 500 by 300 feet which is surrounded by a triple row of pillars. It is a low structure of one storey with an average height of 25 height. The temple has three distinct compartments: a garbhagriha, an ardhamandapa and a mahamandapa (or sabha mandapa). The Vitthala temple has a Garuda shrine in the form of a stone chariot in the courtyard; it is an often-pictured symbol of Hampi. Above the chariot is a tower, which was removed during 1940s, as per historian Dr.S.Shettar. In the front of the stone chariot is a large, square, open-pillared, axial sabha mandapa, or community hall. The mandapa has four sections, two of which are aligned with the temple sanctum. The mandapa has 56 carved stone beams of different diameters, shape, length and surface finish that produces musical sounds when struck; according to local traditional belief, this hall was used for public celebrations of music and dancing. It is classified as Karakkoil, a temple fashioned after temple chariots which are taken in procession around the temple during festivals.The mandapa links to an enclosed pradakshina patha for walking around the sanctum. Around this axial mandapa are (clockwise from east); the Garuda shrine, the Kalyana mandapa (wedding ceremonies), the 100-columned mandapa, the Amman shrine and the Utsav mandapa (festival hall). The walled enclosure covers about 1.3 hectares (3.2 acres) with colonnaded verandahs lining the compound walls. In the south-east corner is a kitchen with a roof window (clerestory).Outside the temple compound, to its east-south-east, is a colonnaded market street almost one kilometre (0.62 mi) long; all of which is now in ruins. To the north is another market and a south-facing shrine with reliefs of Ramayana scenes, Mahabharata scenes and of Vaishnava saints. The north street ended in a temple honouring the Hindu philosopher Ramanuja. The region around the Vitthala temple was called Vitthalapura. It hosted a Vaishnava matha (monastery), designed as a pilgrimage centre centred around the Alvar tradition. It was also a centre for craft production according to inscriptions found.

Hampi Vitthala temple and market complex

LOC Shiva, PER Vishnu, LOC Hemakuta hill, LOC Kampili, LOC Virupaksha temple, LOC Vijayanagara Empire, LOC Kadalekalu Ganesha, PER Kampila, LOC Sasivekalu Ganesha, PER Ganesha, PER Narasimha, LOC Hampi, LOC Krishna temple

The Hemakuta hill lies between the Virupaksha temple complex to the north and the Krishna temple to the south. It is a collection of modestly sized monuments that are the best-preserved examples of pre-Vijayanagara and early-Vijayanagara temples and construction. The site has several important inscriptions, is easily accessible and provides views of the some parts of Hampi and the fertile, agricultural valley that separates the sacred centre from the urban core with its royal centre. The hill has more than thirty small-to-moderate-sized temples, together with water cisterns, gateways, and secular pavilions. The latest examples are dated to the early 14th century. Some of the structures are differently-sized prototypes of temples or mandapas, assembled from blocks of stones. Others are completed monuments of different designs, such as the Phamsana style. Two temple groups in this style look similar; each has a triple vimana consisting of square sanctums with each set connected to its own shared square mandapa. The towers (shikaras) on these are pyramidal granite structures consisting of eleven stacked, shrinking squares and a top in the Deccan-style square kalasha finial. Both sets are Shiva temples with triple linga; early sources misidentified these as Jain temples because of their simple exterior and interior walls. One of these groups has a historically important inscription that records that Kampila built the monument in the early 14th century. This inscription links Hampi with the Kampili kingdom and suggests an association of the Kampili history with that of Vijayanagara Empire that followed it. The style of temples on the Hemakuta hill suggest it may have been a study centre for experimenting with different types of Hindu temples. The styles present include those of the Chalukya period, the Rashtrakuta period and later periods. It may also have been the template for the original Virupaksha temple, which was later greatly expanded with gopuram, mandala and other additions. A similar monument dedicated to Narasimha, the man-lion avatar of Vishnu, is located east of Hampi; an inscription near it states that it was operating in 1379 CE.The Hemakuta hill also has monuments with two monolithic Ganesha; the Kadalekalu Ganesha and the Sasivekalu Ganesha. The Kadalekalu Ganesha, named after Ganesha's gram-shaped belly, is in the middle of Hampi's sacred centre on the east side of the hill near Matanga. A colonnaded, open mandapa leads to the sanctum, which houses a monolithic image of Ganesha more than 4.5 metres (15 ft) high, which was carved in-situ from extant rock. Ganesha's tusk and other parts have been damaged, but the left hand—which holds a rice cake treat with his trunk reaching out for it—has survived.The Sasivekalu Ganesha, named after Ganesha's mustard seed-shaped belly, is near the Krishna temple south-west of the Kadalekalu Ganesha. It is a 2.4 metres (7.9 ft)-high monolith that was also carved in-situ from extant rock. The Sasivekalu Ganesha is carved with his mother Parvati, in whose lap he sits. She is only visible from the back of the statue. The monument is housed inside an open-pillared mandapa; the left hand and tusk have been damaged.

Hampi Hemakuta hill monuments

PER Shiva, PER Vishnu, PER Lakshmana, LOC Hazara Rama temple, PER Mahishasuramardini, LOC Ramachandra temple, PER Parvati, LOC Vijayanagara, PER Devaraya I, PER Rama, LOC Hampi, PER Sita

The Hazara Rama temple, referred to as the Ramachandra temple in inscriptions, occupied the western part of the urban core in the royal centre section of Hampi. This temple was dedicated to Rama of the Ramayana fame, and an avatar of Vishnu. It was the ceremonial temple for the royal family. The temple is dated to the early 15th century and is attributed to Devaraya I. The temple's outer walls portray the Hindu Mahanavami (Dasara) and the spring Holi festival procession and celebrations in parallel bands of artwork. The lowest band shows marching elephants, above it are horses led by horsemen, then soldiers celebrated by the public, then dancers and musicians, with a top layer depicting a boisterous procession of the general public. The depiction mirrors the description of festivals and processions in surviving memoirs of Persians and Portuguese who visited the Vijayanagara capital. The inner walls of the temple has friezes containing the most extensive narration of the Hindu epic Ramayana. The temple has an entrance mandapa and a yajna ceremony hall, whose ceiling is designed to ventilate fumes and smoke through the roof. Inside the main mandapa are four intricately carved pillars in the Hoysala style; these carving include depictions of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita of Vaishnavism, Durga as Mahishasuramardini of Shaktism and Shiva-Parvati of Shaivism. Images are missing from the square sanctum. The temple has a smaller shrine with friezes depicting the legends of Vishnu avatars.This ruined temple complex is well known for its thousands of carvings and inscriptions, its elaborate frescoes depicting Hindu theosophy and its sprawling courtyard laid with gardens.

Hampi Hazara Rama temple

LOC Kodandarama, LOC Chakratirtha, PER Lakshmana, PER Narasimha, PER Sita, PER Vishnu, PER Anjaneya, LOC Achyutaraya, PER Hanuman, PER Vitthala, PER Prahlada, PER Rama, LOC Tungabhadra, PER Shiva, LOC Himalayas, LOC Pipal, PER Anantashayana Vishnu, LOC Kotitirtha, LOC Tungabhadra River

The Kodandarama temple complex lies near the Tungabhadra River, and is north of Achyutaraya temple. The temple overlooks Chakratirtha, where the Tungabhadra turns northwards towards the Himalayas. The river banks, considered holy, accommodate a Vijayanagara-era ghat and mandapa facilities for bathing. In front of the temple is a dipa stambha (lighting pillar) under a Pipal tree, and inside is a sanctum dedicated to Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. Nearby, and continuing until Kotitirtha to its north, are a number of smaller shrines, dedicated to Vitthala, Anjaneya, Shiva and other deities. On the rock face are reliefs of Anantashayana Vishnu (reclining Vishnu creating the cosmic cycle, Ranganatha), friezes narrating the legends of Narasimha and Prahlada, and the twenty-four avatars of Vishnu according to the Puranic tradition of Vaishnavism. Near the river is a rock carved with Shaivism's 1,008 lingas.

Hampi Kodandarama temple and riverside monuments

PER Vishnu, LOC Varadevi Ammana Pattana, LOC Pattabhirama, LOC Kamalapura, LOC ASI Hampi, PER Rama

The Pattabhirama temple complex is in the southern suburban centre outside the sacred centre and the urban core, about 500 metres (550 yd) from the ASI Hampi museum. It was at the nucleus of economic and cultural activity of this suburb, now located north-east of Kamalapura. The complex, also known as Varadevi Ammana Pattana, was likely built in the early 16th century and dedicated to Rama (Vishnu avatar). The complex has a main temple, a colonnaded courtyard inside an enclosure and a 64 (8x8 square)-pillared and roofed mandapa in front of the sanctum. The complex and the sanctum face east; the normal entrance was through the eastern gopura. The ruins suggest the gopuram had six tiers. The Pattabhirama temple included a 100-pillared hall—likely a feeding hall—attached to the southern wall of the enclosed compound. The pillars have reliefs depicting Hindu themes which include gods, goddesses, a scene from a Hindu text, yoga and namaste.

Hampi Pattabhirama temple complex

LOC Mahanavami, LOC Audience Hall, PER Vasantotsava, LOC Vijayanagara, PER Holi, LOC Great, LOC Dasara

The Mahanavami platform, also called the "Great Platform", "Audience Hall", "Dasara" or "Mahanavami Dibba" monument, is within a 7.5-hectare (19-acre) enclosure at one of the highest points inside the royal centre (urban core). It has ceremonial structures. It is mentioned in the memoirs of foreigners who visited Vijayanagara, some calling it the "House of Victory". The largest monument in this complex has three ascending square stages leading to a large, square platform that likely had a wooden mandapa above it. This was burnt down during the destruction of Hampi. The two lower levels of the platform is made of granite. It has reliefs—possibly a catalogue of 14th-century royal activities—and lines of marching animals including elephants, horses and camels. Reliefs on the south side show musicians and dancers, including female stick-dancers. The third level reliefs show a battle procession, couples and scenes of common citizens celebrating Holi (Vasantotsava) by throwing water at each other. Near the great platform is an audience hall, which also probably had a wooden pavilion, evidenced by 100 stone stubs; this too was burnt down.South of the platform is an aqueduct leading water to large, symmetrical, stepped tank made of granite that was excavated by archaeologists in the 1980s. The complex has another large water pool—possibly for water sports—a garden and various mandapa. there is a ruined temple-like monument near the step tank.

Hampi Mahanavami platform, public square complex

LOC Mahanavami, LOC India, LOC Hampi - Vijayanagara, LOC Daroji, PER Carla Sinopoli, LOC Square Water Pavilion, LOC Virupaksha temple, PER Kathleen Morrison, LOC Manmatha, LOC Vijayanagara, LOC Durga, LOC Queen ' s Bath, LOC Hampi

The Square Water Pavilion, also called the Queen's Bath, is in the south-east of the royal centre. It has a pavilion, a water basin and a method of moving fresh water to it and taking away wash water and overflows. The basin is enclosed within an ornate, pillared, vaulted bay. Nearby are ruins of the aqueduct. The modern name of this building, the Queen's bath, is probably a misnomer because this was a public bath for men and travellers. The building's interior arches show influence of the Indo-Islamic style, reflecting an era in which Hindu and Muslim arts influenced each other in India.The Vijayanagara empire built an extensive water infrastructure, some examples of which—including the Manmatha tank near Virupaksha temple, which is dated to about the 9th century—predates the Vijayanagara. According to an inscription found there, the Manmatha tank was upgraded and a Durga shrine added in 1199 CE. The inclusion of artwork at the tank, such as a warrior fighting a lion, is dated to the 13th century, when Hoysalas frequented Hampi. The Hampi monuments include aqueducts to carry water to tanks and other parts of the city, as well as drains and channels to remove water overflow. Excavations in the 1980s near the Mahanavami platform in the urban core revealed a large, square-stepped tank that was fed by an aqueduct. The tanks were public utilities; some were perhaps used for royal ceremonies.Archaeological excavations in 1990 revealed twenty-three wells and cisterns in the Hampi-Vijayanagara metropolis. Of these, thirteen were found outside the city walls in the suburbs, and ten inside. Of these were twelve at roadsides, eight near temples, ten in residential areas and two were used for irrigation within the urban core. More water structures were found in Daroji valley for agriculture. According to archaeologists Kathleen Morrison and Carla Sinopoli, the Hampi water infrastructure was for the use of travellers, rituals, domestic use and irrigation.

Hampi Water infrastructure

LOC Hampi

Several major temples in Hampi have an embedded kitchen and 100-or-more-pillared feeding halls. Hampi also had a dedicated public Bhojana shala (house of food) where numerous thali (dish) were carved in series in a rock on both sides of a water channel. One example is found near an octagonal fountain in the south of the royal centre; according to epigraphical sources, this Hampi bhojan shala was a utada kaluve or "canal connected with eating".

Hampi Fountains and community kitchen

LOC Lotus Mahal, LOC Gajashala, LOC Hampi

In the east of the royal centre lies the Gajashala, or elephant stables, which consist of eleven square chambers aligned north–south. The openings to the stables are arched; above ten chambers are alternating fluted and plain domes. In the middle of the stables are stairs to reach the roof. The enclosure is close to the elephant stables; it was thus named in a Persian memoir whose 19th-century translation was an early introduction to Hampi ruins for many. The enclosure contains the Lotus Mahal, the latter being a two-storeyed pavilion in the royal centre. The Lotus Mahal combines a symmetrical, square, Hindu mandala design with lobed arches, vaults, and domes of the Indo-Islamic style. Its basement and pyramidal towers are based on Hindu temple architecture. Like almost all of the structures in Hampi's royal centre, this monument has no inscriptions nor epigraphs mentioning it and therefore dating it and establishing its function with evidence has been difficult. The Lotus Mahal and other structures in the Hampi urban core, however, were not built with Muslim patronage, unlike the tombs in the various Muslim quarters of the city. These buildings reflect the assimilative approach of the Vijayanagara Hindu rulers. Lotus Mahal looks like a syncretic, congested space and its purpose is unclear. Speculations include it being a council hall.

Hampi Elephant stables and enclosure

LOC Vitthala, LOC Talarighat, PER Rama - Sita, LOC Purandaradasa, PER Lakshmana, PER Bhima, LOC Raghunatha temple, LOC Matanga hill, PER Vishnu, LOC Uddana Virbhadra temple, PER Kali, PER Durga, PER Saraswati, LOC Chandrashekhara, LOC Hampi, PER Shiva, LOC Ganagitti Jain temple, LOC Malyavanta hill, PER Pandava, LOC Sugriva cave, LOC Vijayanagara, PER Ananthasayana Vishnu, LOC Tungabhadra River

In the sacred centre near the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River and close to the Vitthala temple complex, are gateways and a monument now called the King's Balance. The latter is similar to those found at the entrances of South Indian Hindu temples for the tula-purush-dāna or thulabharam ceremonies in which a person gives a gift by weight equal to, or greater than, their body weight.The Vijayanagara rulers built forts, fortified gateways and watchtowers after their dynasty was founded from the ruins of war and for security from repeated raids and invasion. Hindu-style corbelled arches are the most common gateways and watchtowers in Hampi. One such gateway is located south-east of Ganagitti Jain temple; it incorporate a central barbican wall designed to entrap and confuse a stranger aiming for a surprise, while frequent visitors knew the three changes of direction before the gateway. These functional Hindu monuments are identifiable by a legendary Hindu character incorporated into them, such as of Bhima of the Mahabharata's Pandava fame. Another such gate is found on the north-east road to Talarighat Hindu monument and the Vitthala temple.The Hampi site has over 1,600 surviving ruins—mostly Hindu—spread over a wide area. Other significant monuments include a temple near the octagonal bath for Saraswati, a Hindu goddess of knowledge and music; a temple in the suburbs for Ananthasayana Vishnu; an Uddana Virbhadra temple for Shiva and Vishnu; a shrine for Kali, the fierce form of Durga unusually shown holding a ball of rice and a ladle; an underground temple in the royal centre; a Sugriva cave temple; the Matanga hill monuments; the Purandaradasa temple dedicated to the scholar-musician famed for the Carnatic music tradition; the Chandrashekhara temple for Shiva near the Queen's bath monument; and the Malyavanta hill dedicated to Rama-Sita-Lakshmana and Shiva. The Malyavanta hill features several shrines including the Raghunatha temple and a row of Shiva lingas carved in stone.

Hampi Other Hindu temples and monuments

LOC Hemkut, LOC Ratnantraykut, LOC Ganagitti, LOC Hampi, LOC Parsvanath Charan

Reliefs of Jain temples at Hampi includes Hemkut Jain temples, Ratnantraykut, Parsvanath Charan and Ganagitti Jain temples. Most of the idols are now missing from these temples, which were built in the 14th century.

Hampi Jain monuments

PER Harihara II, LOC Bhima, PER Jina, PER Tirthankara Kunthunatha, LOC Hampi, LOC Ganigitti Jain

The Ganigitti Jain temple is near Bhima's gate in the south-east of the urban core section of Hampi. In front of it is a monolithic lamp pillar. The temple faced north; it is dated to 1385 CE, during the rule of Hindu king Harihara II, based on an inscription in the temple. It is dedicated to Tirthankara Kunthunatha and has plain walls, a pillared mandapa and a square sanctum from which the Jina's statue is missing. There are capitals on the pillars and the doorways have decoration. Over the sanctum is a Dravidian-style, narrowing square, pyramidal tower. Other monuments in the temple compound are in ruins.

Hampi Ganagitti temple complex

PER Parshvanatha Tirthankara, PER Shiva, PER Devaraya II, PER Mahavira

A cluster of Jain 150 meters (160 yd) east of the elephant stables. One north-facing temple is dedicated to Parshvanatha Tirthankara. It was built by King Devaraya II and dates to 1426 CE, per an inscription in the temple. In front of the temple are two ruined temples; one of Shiva and the other dedicated to Mahavira. Jain Tirthankaras are also included in reliefs inside Hindu temples.

Hampi Other Jain temples and monuments

LOC Vijayanagara, LOC Hampi

The Hampi site includes a Muslim quarter with Islamic tombs, two mosques and a cemetery. These are neither in the sacred centre nor in the royal centre of the Hampi site. Some Muslim monuments are a part of the urban core while others are in the suburbs where most Vijayanagara residents lived. These are in the north-east valley of the urban core, where settlements of Hindus and Jains are also found. Much of this region is deeply silted and the soil conceals abandoned temples, roads, water tanks, gateways and residential quarters.

Hampi Muslim monuments

LOC Anegondi, PER Ahmad Khan, PER Devaraya II, LOC Kamalapura, LOC Turuttu

There is a Muslim monument in the south-east of the urban core on the road from Kamalapura to Anegondi, before Turuttu canal in the irrigated valley. This monument was first built in 1439 by Ahmad Khan, a Muslim officer in the army of Hindu king Devaraya II. The monuments include a mosque, an octagonal well, and a tomb. The mosque lacks a dome and is a pillared pavilion, while the tomb has a dome and arches. Other Muslim monuments and a graveyard were added later near the Ahmad Khan's legacy.

Hampi Ahmad Khan mosque and tomb

PER Will Durant, PER Paes, PER Domingo Paes, PER Niccolò de ' Conti, LOC Rome, PER Johansen, PER Sinopoli, PER Morrison, LOC Persia, LOC Vijayanagara Empire, LOC Vijayanagara, LOC Goa, PER Cesare Federici, LOC Bezeneger, PER Abdul Razzaq, PER Federici, LOC Tygres, LOC Hampi

In the memoirs of Niccolò de' Conti, an Italian merchant and traveller who visited Hampi about 1420, the city had an estimated circumference of 60 miles (97 km) and it enclosed agriculture and settlements in its fortifications. In 1442, Abdul Razzaq, who visited from Persia, described it as a city with seven layers of forts, with outer layers for agriculture, crafts and residence, the inner third to seventh layers very crowded with shops and bazaars (markets).In 1520, Domingo Paes, a Portuguese traveller, visited Vijayanagara as a part of trade contingent from Portuguese Goa. He wrote his memoir as Chronica dos reis de Bisnaga, in which he stated Vijayanagara was "as large as Rome, and very beautiful to the sight ... the best provided city in the world". According to Paes, "there are many groves within it, in the gardens of the houses, many conduits of water which flow into the midst of it, and in places there are lakes ...".Cesare Federici, an Italian merchant and traveller, visited a few decades after the 1565 defeat and collapse of the Vijayanagara Empire. According to Sinopoli, Johansen, and Morrison, Federici described it as a very different city. He wrote, "the citie of Bezeneger (Hampi-Vijayanagara) is not altogether destroyed, yet the houses stand still, but emptie, and there is dwelling in them nothing, as is reported, but Tygres and other wild beasts".The historian Will Durant, in his Our Oriental Heritage: The Story of Civilization recites the story of Vijayanagara and calls its conquest and destruction a discouraging tale. He writes, "its evident moral is that civilization is a precarious thing, whose delicate complex of order and liberty, culture and peace" may at any time be overthrown by war and ferocious violence.

Hampi Reception

ORG University of Chicago Press, PER A. N. Longhurst, LOC Hindu Temple, PER James Lochtefeld, PER George Michell, PER Stella Kramrisch, PER Michell, LOC Karnataka, LOC Deccan, PER John M, ORG Motilal Banarsidass, ORG Bloomsbury Academic, LOC Hampi Vijayanagara, PER Adam Hardy, PER George, ORG Jaico, ORG Laurier Books Ltd, ORG University of California Press, PER David Kinsley, PER Fritz, LOC Hampi, LOC Cambridge, PER Richard M., PER Eaton, ORG Abhinav, PER Krupali Krusche, ORG Marg, PER T. S. Satyan, PER J. M. Fritz, PER S. Srinivasachar, PER Heather Elgood, ORG Cambridge University Press, LOC Vijayanagara, PER Vinayak Bharne, ORG Cambridge Scholars, ORG Rosen Publishing

S.Srinivasachar, T.S.Satyan, Hampi : The fabled capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, (Directorate of Archaeology and Museums), Govt. of Karnataka, 1995 Vinayak Bharne; Krupali Krusche (2014). Rediscovering the Hindu Temple: The Sacred Architecture and Urbanism of India. Cambridge Scholars. ISBN 978-1-4438-6734-4. Eaton, Richard M. (2006). A social history of the Deccan, 1300–1761: eight Indian lives. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-71627-7. Heather Elgood (2000). Hinduism and the Religious Arts. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-0-304-70739-3. J.M. Fritz; George Michell, eds. (2001). New Light on Hampi: Recent Research at Vijayanagara. Marg. ISBN 978-81-85026-53-4. Fritz, John M; Michell, George (2016). Hampi Vijayanagara. Jaico. ISBN 978-81-8495-602-3. Adam Hardy (1995). Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation : the Karṇāṭa Drāviḍa Tradition, 7th to 13th Centuries. Abhinav. ISBN 978-81-7017-312-0. Stella Kramrisch (1993). The Hindu Temple. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0224-7. George Michell (1977). The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-53230-1. George Michell (1995). Architecture and Art of Southern India. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-44110-0. David Kinsley (1988). Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-90883-3. James Lochtefeld (2002), The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 2: N–Z, Rosen Publishing, ISBN 978-0-8239-2287-1 A.N. Longhurst, Hampi Ruins Described and Illustrated, (Laurier Books Ltd., 1998) ISBN 81-206-0159-9 Michael W. Meister; Madhusudan A. Dhaky (1996). Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture. American Institute of Indian Studies. ISBN 978-81-86526-00-2. Anila Verghese (2002). Hampi. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-565433-2. Anila Verghese (2000). Archaeology, Art and Religion: New Perspectives on Vijayanagara. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-564890-4. The Ruins of Hampi:Travel Guide ISBN 81-7525-766-0 Karnataka State Gazetteer 1983.

Hampi Bibliography

PER Lord, ORG State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand, LOC Brahma Kund, LOC Nashik, LOC Kapilsthan, ORG BHEL, LOC Gangadwar, LOC Chota Char Dham, ORG Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, LOC Sha, PER Garuda, LOC Haridwar, LOC Mayapuri, LOC Prayag, LOC Har ki Pauri, LOC Ganges, LOC Shiva, ORG SIDCUL, LOC India, LOC Shivalik, LOC Ujjain, LOC Uttarakhand

Haridwar (; local pronunciation ; Old name Mayapuri) is a city and municipal corporation in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India. With a population of 228,832 in 2011, it is the second-largest city in the state and the largest in the district.The city is situated on the right bank of the Ganges river, at the foothills of the Shivalik ranges. Haridwar is regarded as a holy place for Hindus, hosting important religious events and serving as a gateway to several prominent places of worship. Most significant of the events is the Kumbha Mela, which is celebrated every 12 years in Haridwar. During the Haridwar Kumbh Mela, millions of pilgrims, devotees, and tourists congregate in Haridwar to perform ritualistic bathing on the banks of the Ganges to wash away their sins to attain moksha. According to Puranic legend, Haridwar, along with Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayag, is one of four sites where drops of amrita, the elixir of immortality, accidentally spilled over from a kumbha (pitcher) while being carried by the celestial bird Garuda during the Samudra Manthana, or the churning of the ocean of milk. Brahma Kund, the spot where the amrita fell, is believed to be located at Har ki Pauri (literally, "footsteps of the Lord") and is considered to be the most sacred ghat of Haridwar. It is also the primary centre of the Kanwar pilgrimage, in which millions of participants gather sacred water from the Ganges and carry it across hundreds of miles to dispense as offerings in Shiva shrines. Today, the city is developing beyond its religious importance with the fast-developing industrial estate of the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand (SIDCUL), and the close by township of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), as well as its affiliated ancillaries. Haridwar presents a kaleidoscope of Indian culture and development. In sacred writings, it has been differently specified as Kapilsthan, Gangadwar and Mayapuri. It is additionally a passage for the Chota Char Dham (the four principal pilgrim destinations in Uttarakhand). Subsequently, Shaivites (devotees of Shiva) and Vaishavites (devotees of Vishnu) call the city Hardwar and Haridwar, respectively, Har meaning Shiva and Hari, Vishnu.

Haridwar Introduction

LOC River Ganga, LOC River Ganges, PER Samuel Prout, PER Letitia Elizabeth Landon, PER Vishnu, LOC Mount Kailash, LOC Gangetic Plain, LOC Gaumukh, LOC Haridwar, LOC Vishnu, PER Goddess Ganga, LOC Gangotri Glacier, LOC Hara, LOC Hurdwar, LOC Hardwar, PER Shiva, LOC Shiva, LOC Jyotirlinga, LOC Gangadwára, LOC Kedarnath, LOC Hari, LOC Badrinath, LOC Char Dham, LOC Gateway to

The modern name of the town has two spellings: Haridwar and Hardwar. Each of these names has its own connotation. In Sanskrit, the liturgical language of Hinduism, Hari means "Vishnu", while dwar means "gateway". So, Haridwar translates to "The Gateway to Vishnu". It earns this name because it is typically the place where pilgrim's start their journey to visit a prominent temple of Vishnu – Badrinath. Similarly, Hara could also mean "Shiva". Hence, Hardwar could stand for "Gateway to Shiva". Hardwar is also a typical place to start a pilgrim's journey in order to reach Mount Kailash, Kedarnath, the northernmost Jyotirlinga and one of the sites of the smaller Char Dham pilgrimage circuit – all important places for worship for Hindus. According to legend, it was in Haridwar that Goddess Ganga descended when Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. The River Ganga, after flowing for 253 kilometres (157 mi) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Gangetic Plain for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára. In the annotations to her poetical illustration Hurdwar, a Place of Hindoo Pilgrimage, Letitia Elizabeth Landon provides information on this name derivation, and also the story of the supposed origin of the 'River Ganges'. The accompanying plate is engraved from a painting by Samuel Prout

Haridwar Etymology

LOC Kankhal, PER Dhaumya, PER Lopamudra, LOC Kushan Empire, LOC Gangadwar, LOC Mayapur, PER Vishnu, LOC Vidharba, PER Huan Tsang, PER Harshavardhan, PER Kapila, LOC Kapilasthana, PER Sagar, LOC Haridwar, PER Suryavanshi, PER Agastya Rishi, LOC Mayapuri, LOC Har Ki Pauri, PER Bhagiratha, LOC Hara, LOC Hardwar, PER Rama, LOC Ganges, PER Shiv, PER Shiva, LOC Kedarnath, LOC India, LOC Kapila, LOC Badrinath, LOC Char Dham, LOC Gangadwara, LOC Hari, PER Yudhishthira, LOC Mo, LOC Gangotri, LOC Uttarakhand, PER Haridwar, LOC Yamunotri, LOC Maurya Empire

In the scriptures, Haridwar has been variously mentioned as Kapilasthana, Gangadwara and Mayapuri. It is also an entry point to the Char Dham (the four main centres of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand viz, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri), hence, Shaivaites (followers of Shiva) and Vaishnavites (followers of Vishnu) call this place Hardwar and Haridwar respectively, corresponding to Hara being Shiv and Hari being Vishnu. In the Vanaparva of the Mahabharat, where sage Dhaumya tells Yudhishthira about the tirthas of India, Gangadwar, i.e., Haridwar and Kankhal, have been referred to, the text also mentions that Agastya Rishi did penance here, with the help of his wife, Lopamudra (the princess of Vidharba).Sage Kapila is said to have an ashram here giving it, its ancient name, Kapila or Kapilasthana.The legendary King, Bhagiratha, the great-grandson of the Suryavanshi King Sagar (an ancestor of Rama), is said to have brought the river Ganges down from heaven, through years of penance in Satya Yuga, for the salvation of 60,000 of his ancestors from the curse of the saint Kapila, a tradition continued by thousands of devout Hindus, who bring the ashes of their departed family members, in hope of their salvation. Vishnu is said to have left his footprint on the stone that is set in the upper wall of Har Ki Pauri, where the Holy Ganges touches it at all times. Haridwar came under the rule of the Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE), and later under the Kushan Empire (c. 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 CE. during the reign of King Harshavardhan (590–647) records Haridwar as 'Mo-yu-lo', the remains of which still exist at Mayapur, a little to the south of the modern town. Among the ruins are a fort and three temples, decorated with broken stone sculptures, he also mentions the presence of a temple, north of Mo-yu-lo called 'Gangadwara', Gateway of the Ganges. Haridwar came under the rule of the Delhi Sultanate in 1206. The city also fell to the Central Asian conqueror Timur Lang (1336–1405) on 13 January 1399.During his visit to Haridwar, first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak (1469–1539) bathed at 'Kushawart Ghat', wherein the famous, 'watering the crops' episode took place, his visit is today commemorated by a gurudwara (Gurudwara Nanakwara), according to two Sikh Janamsakhis, this visit took place on the Baisakhi day in 1504 CE, he later also visited Kankhal en route to Kotdwara in Garhwal. Pandas of the Haridwar have been known to keep genealogy records of most of the Hindu population. Known as Vahis, these records are updated on each visit to the city, and are a repository of vast family trees of the family in North India.In the 16th century, the city came under the rule of the Mughals. Ain-e-Akbari, written by Abul Fazal in the 16th century during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, refers to it as Maya (Mayapur), known as Hardwar on the Ganges", as seven sacred cities of Hindus. It further mentions it is eighteen kos (each approx. 2 km) in length, and large numbers of pilgrims assemble on the 10th of Chaitra. It also mentions that during his travels and also while at home, Mughal Emperor, Akbar drank water from the Ganges river, which he called 'the water of immortality'. Special people were stationed at Sorun and later Haridwar to dispatch water, in sealed jars, to wherever he was stationedDuring the Mughal period, there was mint for Akbar's copper coinage at Haridwar. It 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. Thomas Coryat, an English traveller, who visited the city in the reign of Emperor Jahangir (1596–1627) mentions it as 'Haridwara', the capital of Shiva.Being one of the oldest living cities, Haridwar finds its mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures as it weaves through the life and time stretching from the period of the Buddha, to the more recent British advent. Haridwar has a rich and ancient religious and cultural heritage. It still has many old havelis and mansions bearing exquisite murals and intricate stonework. One of the two major dams on the river Ganges, the Bhimgoda, is situated here. Built-in the 1840s, it diverts the waters of the Ganges to the Upper Ganges Canal, which irrigated the surrounding lands. Though this caused severe deterioration to the Ganges water flow, and is a major cause for the decay of the Ganges as an inland waterway, which till the 18th century was used heavily by the ships of the East India Company, and a town as high up as Tehri, was considered a port city The headworks of the Ganges Canal system is located in Haridwar. The Upper Ganges Canal was opened in 1854 after the work began in April 1842, prompted by the famine of 1837–38. The unique feature of the canal is the half-kilometre-long aqueduct over the Solani river at Roorkee, which raises the canal 25 m (82 ft) above the original river. 'Haridwar Union Municipality' was constituted in 1868, which included the then villages of Mayapur and Kankhal. Haridwar was first connected with railways, via Laksar, through branch line in 1886, when the Awadh and Rohilakhand Railway line was extended through Roorkee to Saharanpur, this was later extended to Dehradun in 1900.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.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. The city has a long-standing position as a great source of Ayurvedic medicines and herbal remedies and is home to the unique Gurukul (school of traditional education), including the Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, which has a vast campus, and has been providing traditional education of its own kind, since 1902. Development of Haridwar took an upturn in the 1960s, with the setting up of a temple of modern civilisation, BHEL, a 'Maharatna PSU' in 1975, which brought along not just a its own township of BHEL, Ranipur, close to the existing Ranipur village, but also a set of ancillaries in the region. The University of Roorkee, now IIT Roorkee, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutes of learning in the fields of science and engineering.

Haridwar History

LOC Pathri Rao, LOC Ravi Rao, LOC Begham Nadi, LOC South, LOC Rishikesh, LOC Harnaui Rao, LOC Ranipur Rao, LOC Ganges River, LOC Mohand Gate, LOC Rajaji, LOC Ranipur, LOC Motichur, LOC Ramgarh Gate, LOC Haridwar, LOC Chilla Gates, LOC Rajaji National Park, LOC Shivalik Hills, LOC Ganges, LOC Kunaon Gate, LOC Kotdwara, LOC Laldhang gate, LOC India, LOC Uttarakhand, LOC Dehradun

The Ganges emerges from the mountains to touch the plains. The water in the river Ganges is mostly clear and generally cold, except in the rainy season, during which soil from the upper regions flows down into it. The river Ganges flows in a series of channels separated from each other called aits, most of which are well wooded. Other minor seasonal streams are Ranipur Rao, Pathri Rao, Ravi Rao, Harnaui Rao, Begham Nadi etc. A large part of the district is forested, and Rajaji National Park is within the bounds of the district, making it an ideal destination for wildlife and adventure lovers. Rajaji is accessible through different gates; the Ramgarh Gate and Mohand Gate are within 25 km (16 mi) of Dehradun, while the Motichur, Ranipur and Chilla Gates are just about 9 km (5.6 mi) from Haridwar. Kunaon Gate is 6 km (3.7 mi) from Rishikesh, and Laldhang gate is 25 km (16 mi) from Kotdwara. Haridwar district, covering an area of about 2,360 km2 (910 sq mi), is in the southwestern part of Uttarakhand state of India. Haridwar is situated at a height of 314 m (1,030 ft) from the sea level, between Shivalik Hills in the North and Northeast and the Ganges River in the South.

Haridwar Geography and climate

Temperatures: Summers: 25 to 44 °C (77 to 111 °F) Winters: −1 to 24 °C (30 to 75 °F)

Haridwar Climate

LOC Ganges, LOC Haridwar

For centuries when Hindu ancestors visited the holy town of Haridwar for any purpose which may have been for pilgrimage purposes or/and for cremation of their dead or for immersion of ashes and bones of their kin after cremation into the waters of the holy Ganges as required by Hindu religious custom, it has been a custom to go to the Pandit who is in charge of one's family register and update the family's family tree with details of marriages, births, and deaths from ones extended joint family.

Haridwar Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar

LOC Haridwar

As of 2011 India census, Haridwar district has population of 1,890,422 (2011). In 2001, the population was 1,447,187.Haridwar city has a 310,562 population (2011). Males constitute 54% of the population and females, 46%. Haridwar 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 Haridwar, 12% of the population is under six years of age.

Haridwar Demographics

LOC Kankhal, LOC Mansa Devi Temple, LOC Ghat, LOC Kushawart, LOC Chandi Devi Temple, LOC Bilwa Tirtha, LOC Haridwar, LOC Har, LOC Neel Parvat, LOC Gangadwar

"Haridvāre Kuśāvarte Bilvake Nīla parvate snatvā Kanakhale tīrth punarjanma na vidyate" In Hindu traditions, the 'Panch Tirth' (Five Pilgrimages) within Haridwar, are "Gangadwar" (Har ki Pauri), Kushawart (Ghat in Kankhal), Bilwa Tirtha (Mansa Devi Temple) and Neel Parvat (Chandi Devi Temple). There are several other temples and ashrams located in and around the city, a list of which can be found below. Also, alcohol and non-vegetarian food is not permitted in Haridwar.

Haridwar Religious sites

PER God Hara, PER Shiva, LOC Ganga Canal, LOC Brahmakund, PER Goddess Ganga, PER Bhai Phota, LOC Har Ki Pauri, LOC Dussehra, LOC Diwali, PER Vikramaditya, LOC Bhai Phota, LOC Bhai Duj, LOC Ganga canal, PER Bharthari, LOC Haridwar, PER Bhai Duj, PER Dussera Maa Ganga, LOC Ganges

This Ghat was constructed by King Vikramaditya (1st century BCE) in memory of his brother Bharthari. It is believed that Bharthari came to Haridwar and meditated on the banks of the holy Ganges. When he died, his brother constructed a Ghat in his name, which later came to be known as Har Ki Pauri. The most sacred ghat within Har Ki Pauri is Brahmakund. The evening prayer (Aarti) at dusk offered to Goddess Ganga at Har Ki Pauri (steps of God Hara or Shiva) is an enchanting experience for any visitor. A spectacle of sound and colour is seen when, after the ceremony, pilgrims float Diyas (floral floats with lamps) and incense on the river, commemorating their deceased ancestors. Thousands of people from all around the world do make a point to attend this prayer on their visit to Haridwar. A majority of present ghats were largely developed in the 1800s. On the night of Dussehra or a few days before that, the Ganga Canal is dried in Haridwar to clean the riverbed. The water is restored on Diwali. It is believed that on Dussera Maa Ganga goes to her father's house and returns after Bhai Duj or Bhai Phota. It is for this reason that the waters in the Ganga canal in Haridwar are partially dried on the night of Dussehra and the waters are restored on the day of Bhai Duj or Bhai Phota.

Haridwar Har Ki Pauri

PER Chandi Devi, LOC Chandighat, PER Adi Shankaracharya, LOC Kashmir, PER Chandi, PER Nishumbha, PER Suchat Singh, PER Chanda - Munda, PER Shumbha, LOC Neel Parvat, LOC Ganges

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Chandi, who sits atop the 'Neel Parvat' on the eastern bank of the river Ganges. It was constructed in 1929 CE by the king of Kashmir, Suchat Singh. Skanda Purana mentions a legend, in which Chanda-Munda, the Army Chief of a local Demon Kings Shumbha and Nishumbha were killed by goddess Chandi here, after which the place got the name, Chandi Devi. It is believed that the main statue was established by the Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. The temple is a 3 km (1.9 mi) trek from Chandighat and can also be reached through a ropeway.

Haridwar Chandi Devi Temple

LOC Bilva Parvat, LOC Mansa, PER Mansa Devi

The temple of Goddess Mansa Devi is situated at the top of the Bilva Parvat, literally means 'Goddess fulfilling desires'. Mansa is a tourist destination, Especially because of the mountain cable cars which offer city views. The main temple houses two idols of the Goddess, one with three mouths and five arms, while the other one has eight arms.

Haridwar Mansa Devi Temple

LOC Bhairav Temple, PER Sati, LOC Mayapuri, LOC Narayani Shila temple, PER Maya Devi, LOC Haridwar, PER Adhishthatri Devi, PER Patron Goddess

Haridwar was previously known as Mayapuri which is because of the Goddess Maya Devi. Dating to the 11th century CE, this ancient temple of Maya Devi, the Adhishthatri Devi (Patron Goddess) of Haridwar, is considered one of the Siddhapithas and is said to be the place where the heart and navel of Goddess Sati had fallen. It is one of few ancient temples still standing in Haridwar, along with Narayani Shila temple and Bhairav Temple.

Haridwar Maya Devi Temple

LOC Birla Ghat, PER Shankaracharya, PER Goddess Ganga, PER Shakumbhari, PER Jayandra Saraswati, LOC Kanchi Kamakoti, LOC Laltarao Pul

Located close to the Birla Ghat, near Laltarao Pul is a temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. This temple was established by Jayandra Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti, a few decades ago. The temple, built in South-Indian style, has a traditional custom of decorating the goddess with vegetables and dry fruits, giving her the title of Shakumbhari on Ashtami Pooja, the eighth day of Navratri.

Haridwar Makarvahini Temple

LOC Kankhal, PER Shiva, LOC Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple, LOC Daksha Mahadev, PER Sati, LOC Sati Kund, PER Daksha, PER Daksha Prajapati, PER Dakshayani, PER Virabhadra

The ancient temple of Daksha Mahadev also known as Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple has situated in the south Kankhal town. According to Hindu texts, King Daksha Prajapati, father of Dakshayani, Shiva's first wife, performed a yagña, to which he deliberately did not invite Shiva. When she arrived uninvited, he was further insulted by the king, seeing which Sati felt infuriated and self-immolated herself in the yagna kund. King Daksha was later killed by Virabhadra, born out of Shiva's anger. Later the king was brought to life and given a goat's head by Shiva. Daksha Mahadev temple is a tribute to this legend. Sati Kund, another historical heritage is situated in the Kankhal. Legend has it that Sati immolated herself in this kund.

Haridwar Kankhal

PER Mother India, LOC Samanvaya Ashram, LOC Indore, PER Anusuya, LOC Jabalpur, LOC Jodhpur, PER Maitreyi, ORG -, ORG Sapta, PER Vishnu, LOC Matri Mandir, PER Mira, ORG Acharya Shree, LOC Bharat Mata Mandir, ORG Swami Satyamitranand, PER Gargi, PER Indira Gandhi, LOC Shur Mandir, PER Draupadi, LOC Haridwar, LOC Sarovar, LOC Sant Mandir, PER Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, PER Savitri, LOC Renukut, LOC Ganges, PER Radha, PER Shiva, LOC Himalayas, LOC India, ORG The Junapeethadheesh, PER Bharat Mata, PER Shankaracharya Maha, PER Ahilya, PER Mandleshwar Swami Satyamitranand Giri Maharaj, LOC Ahmedabad

Bharat Mata Mandir is a multi-storey temple dedicated to Bharat Mata (Mother India). Bharat Mata Mandir was inaugurated on 15 May 1983 by Indira Gandhi on the banks of the river Ganges. It is situated adjacent to the Samanvaya Ashram, and stands eight stories tall to a height of 180 feet (55 m). Each floor depicts an era in the Indian history, from the days of Ramayana until India's independence. On the first floor is the statue of Bharat Mata. The second floor, Shur Mandir, is dedicated to the well-renowned heroes of India. The third floor Matri Mandir is dedicated to the achievements of India's revered women, such as Radha, Mira, Savitri, Draupadi, Ahilya, Anusuya, Maitreyi, Gargi etc. The great saints from various religions, including Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism are featured on the fourth floor Sant Mandir. The assembly hall with walls depicting symbolic coexistence of all religions practised in India and paintings portraying history in various provinces is situated on the fifth floor. The various forms of the Goddess Shakti can be seen on the sixth floor, whilst the seventh floor is devoted to all incarnations of Vishnu. The eighth floor holds the shrine of Shiva from which devotees can gain a view of Himalayas, Haridwar, and the campus of Sapta Sarovar.The temple was built under the former Shankaracharya Maha-Mandleshwar Swami Satyamitranand Giri Maharaj. Since the inception of the Swami Satyamitranand foundation in 1998, several other branches have been opened, namely in Renukut, Jabalpur, Jodhpur, Indore, and Ahmedabad. It is presently under The Junapeethadheesh, Acharya Shree Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj.

Haridwar Bharat Mata Mandir

ORG Chishti Order, PER Sarkar Sabir Pak, LOC Roorkee, PER Ibrahim Lodhi, PER Hazrat Alauddin Sabir Kaliyari, LOC Kaliyar, LOC Delhi, LOC Piran Kaliyar Sharif

Piran Kaliyar Sharif, built by Ibrahim Lodhi, a ruler of Delhi, this 'Dargah' of Hazrat Alauddin Sabir Kaliyari, a 13th-century, Sufi Saint of Chishti Order (also known as Sarkar Sabir Pak), in Kaliyar village, 7 km (4.3 mi). from Roorkee, is visited by devotees from all over the world, during the annual 'Urs' festival, which is celebrated from 1st day of sighting the moon to 16th day of Rabi al-awwal month, in the Islamic calendar.

Haridwar Piran Kaliyar

LOC Bhimgoda Barrage, LOC Har - Ki - Pauri Ghat, LOC Haridwar Junction Railway Station, LOC Ganges River, LOC Laljiwala, LOC Shivalik Hills, LOC Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar, LOC Haridwar

At a distance of 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from Haridwar Junction Railway Station, Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar is a bird-watching point situated at the Bhimgoda Barrage of Haridwar and has rich flora and fauna. The Bhimgoda Barrage is on the Ganges River near Har-Ki-Pauri Ghat. The barrage was originally built to aid irrigation but it also generates hydro-electric power and controls floods. The area behind the barrage is known as Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar. The place is popular among bird-loving tourists. The place is known for Siberian Cranes that can be spotted during the winter months at Laljiwala. In addition, the place is also a natural habitat of different species of migratory birds. Not only avid bird watchers, but the spot also welcomes a number of nature lovers and trekkers. Also, the spot of Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar is visited by trekkers as it is situated close to many trekking routes in Haridwar. Visitors can also see the Shivalik Hills from the bird watching point and enjoy the sight of the snow-covered mountains which makes it to the top list of tourist attractions in Haridwar.

Haridwar Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar

LOC Kankhal, PER Atri, LOC Pawan Dham, LOC Ganges River, LOC Bharadwaja, PER Vashisht, PER Sita, PER Vishnu, LOC Parad Shivalinga, LOC Rudraksha, LOC Harihar Ashram, LOC Shravan Nath Nagar, LOC Haridwar, LOC Dudhadhari Barfani Baba, LOC Jamadagi, LOC Tirupati Balaji Mandir, LOC Ganga, LOC Rajaji National Park, LOC Har Ki Pauri, LOC Vishwamitra, LOC Mercury, PER Hanumana, LOC Sureshvari Devi Temple, LOC Saptrishi Ashram, PER Guru Goswami Dutt, PER Ramanand, PER Ramanand Sampraday, LOC Sapt Rishi Ashram, PER Rama, LOC Ganges, PER Sureshwari, PER Shiva, PER Gautam, PER Kashyapa, LOC Dudhadhari Barfani Temple, LOC Hari, LOC Sapt Sarovar, LOC Ashram, LOC Uttarakhand

Dudhadhari Barfani Temple, part of the ashram of Dudhadhari Barfani Baba, was constructed from shining white marble and honours Rama-Sita and Hanumana.Sureshvari Devi Temple, a temple dedicated to the goddess Sureshwari, is situated in the middle of Rajaji National Park, and thus is only accessible with permission from forest rangers. Pawan Dham is a modern temple made entirely of glass pieces, which is now a tourist destination. One of the most sacred temples in Haridwar is Tirupati Balaji Mandir. The temple, which is built in the Dravidian architectural style, is located 4.5 km (2.8 mi) away from Har Ki Pauri. It is a major pilgrimage centre of Haridwar in Uttarakhand. The image of the temple deity represents both Vishnu and Shiva ( Vishnu is considered as the preserver whereas Shiva is considered as the destroyer in Hindu religion). Sapt Rishi Ashram at Sapt Sarovar, near the bank of the Ganga, is a meditation and yoga centre. The Ashram, established in 1943 by Guru Goswami Dutt, provides lodging, meals and free education for poor kids. Sapt Rishi Ashram, as its name would suggest, was the place where seven sages, namely Kashyapa, Vashisht, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jamadagi, Bharadwaja and Gautam, meditated. As per the mythological records, when all the sages were meditating, they were disturbed by the gushing sound of river Ganges. Annoyed and irritated due to sound, all seven of them were trapped in the flow of the river. Later, Ganges River splits into seven water streams so there is less noise. Those seven river streams are now known as Sapt Sarovar, and the point where the seven sages meditated is called as Saptrishi Ashram. In the Harihar Ashram, Kankhal, the Parad Shivalinga (Mercury Shivalinga) weighing about 150 kg and a Rudraksha tree are the main attractions for pilgrims and tourists. The Ramanand Ashram, situated in the Shravan Nath Nagar district near the railway station, is the main ashram of Ramanand Sampraday in Haridwar. The Uma Maheswar Sanyas Ashram lies on the banks of the Ganga, in Bairagi Camp; while the Anandamayi Maa Ashram is located in Kankhal, one of five sub-cities of Haridwar, and houses the samadhi shrine of Sri Anandamoyi Ma (1896–1982), a noted saint of India. Shantikunj is the headquarters of the spiritual and social organisation All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP) established by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. Located six km (3.7 mi) from Haridwar railway station, at the bank of the Ganges and under the Shivalik Himalayas, it is a place of attraction for tourists as well as seekers of spiritual guidance. The Shri Chintamani Parshwnath Jain Shwetambar Mandir was built in 1990 by Jain saint Shri Padam Sagar Suri. This temple is built by Jaisalmer stone in Jain architectural style. Moolnayak of this temple is a black coloured idol of Chintamani Parshwnath Bhagwan in Padmasan posture. Idols of Shri Parshv Yaksha and Mata Padmawati on both sides of the main idol. There is also an idol of Rishabhanatha made up of white marble. There is small temple of Shri Ghantakaran Mahavir Ji and charan-paduka's (foot imprints) near this temple. The temple also has a dharmshala for accommodation of around 1000 pilgrims at a time. The Patanjali Yogpeeth is situated in Haridwar-Delhi Highway. This is a yoga institution and research centre of Swami Ramdev. Every day thousands of people come here for yoga and other purposes. The Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama is a branch of the worldwide Ramakrishna Movement. The Mission centre was founded in 1901, and the Math centre was started in 1980. The Math centre conducts daily worship and bhajans, and fortnightly Ramnam Sankirtan.

Haridwar Other temples and ashrams

LOC Dwaraka, LOC Varanasi, LOC Avantika, LOC Mathura, LOC India, LOC Puri, LOC Kasi, LOC Kanchi, PER Moksha, LOC Kṣetra, LOC Maya, LOC Ayodhya, LOC Haridwar

"Ayodhyā Mathurā Māyā Kāśī Kāñcī Avantikā Purī Dvārāvatī caiva saptaitā mokṣadāyikāḥ" – Garuḍa Purāṇa I XVI .14 Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kasi, Kanchi, Avantika and Dwaraka are the seven holy places.Note the use of the puranic name 'Maya' for Haridwar. As also the inter-change usage of Puri and Dwaraka. The Garuḍa Purāṇa enumerates seven cities as the giver of Moksha. Haridwar is said to be one of the seven most holy Hindu places (=Kṣetra) in India, with Varanasi usually considered the holiest. A Kṣetra is sacred ground, a field of active power, a place where Moksha, final release can be obtained.

Haridwar Seven holy places (Sapta Puri)

ORG Edtech, LOC Haridwar

An Edtech startup in Haridwar providing live online classes through visualization techniques.

Haridwar Unipolaris Academy

LOC Delhi, ORG Patanjali, LOC Haridwar

situated in Haridwar- Delhi highway it is the part of Patanjali group. This is residential institution.

Haridwar Acharyakulam

LOC Kankhal, PER Swami Shraddhananda, ORG Gurukul Kangri University, PER Mahatma Gandhi, LOC India, ORG Arya Samaj, LOC Archaeological Museum, PER Swami Dayananda Saraswati, LOC Indus Valley, ORG British Trade Union, PER Charles Freer Andrews, PER Ramsay MacDonald, LOC Ganges

Situated in Kankhal, at the banks of the river Ganges, Gurukul Kangri University is one of the oldest Universities of India, it was founded in 1902 by Swami Shraddhananda (1856–1926), according to the tenets of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj. It has also been visited by British Trade Union leader Charles Freer Andrews and British prime minister, Ramsay MacDonald, to study the unique Gurukul based education system. Here Ancient Vedic and Sanskrit literature, Ayurveda, Philosophy are part of the curriculum besides Modern Sciences and Journalism. Its 'Archaeological Museum', (established 1945) houses some rare statues, coins, paintings, manuscripts, and artefacts, starting from Indus Valley civilisation culture (c. 2500–1500 BCE). Mahatma Gandhi visited the campus three times, and stayed in its sprawling and serene campus for extended periods of time, most notably during the 1915 Kumbh mela, followed by a visit in 1916, when on 20 March, he spoke at Gurukul Anniversary.

Haridwar Gurukul Kangri University

ORG All World Gayatri Pariwar, LOC Shantikunj, ORG Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, ORG Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, LOC Uttarakhand, LOC Haridwar

Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya was established in 2002 by the act of the Uttarakhand Government is a fully residential university. Run by Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj, Haridwar (headquarters of All World Gayatri Pariwar), it provides various degree, diploma and certificate courses in areas like Yogic Science, Alternative Therapy, Indian Culture, Tourism, Rural Management, Theology, Spiritual Counseling, etc. It also provides courses through distance learning.

Haridwar Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya

ORG Government of Uttarakhand

Set up by the Government of Uttarakhand, the university is dedicated to studies of ancient Sanskrit scriptures and books. It also has a curriculum covering ancient Hindu rituals, culture, and tradition, and boasts of a building inspired by ancient Hindu architecture style.

Haridwar Uttarakhand Sanskrit University

LOC Shivalik Nagar, LOC Haridwar

Situated in Shivalik Nagar, 10 km (6.2 mi) from Haridwar city. one of the science colleges in Haridwar.

Haridwar Chinmaya Degree College

LOC Tehri Garhwal, ORG Sri Nagar, LOC Garhwal, ORG HNB Garhwal University, ORG Sri Dev Suman Uttarakhand University, ORG HEC College, LOC Badshahithol

It was established in the year 2002. HEC College provides Undergraduate, Postgraduate, PG diploma courses. The courses are in the field of commerce, Management, Science, Lib. Science and Arts and it is affiliated to HNB Garhwal University, Sri Nagar, Garhwal, and Sri Dev Suman Uttarakhand University, Badshahithol, Tehri Garhwal.

Haridwar HEC PG College

LOC Shivalik Nagar, LOC Haridwar

Situated in Shivalik Nagar, 10 km (6.2 mi) from Haridwar city. one of the Best Computer Institute in Haridwar.

Haridwar Sheel Institute

ORG Rishikul State Ayurvedic College, ORG Gurukul Ayurvedic College, ORG State Ayurvedic College, LOC Haridwar

There are two State Ayurvedic College & Hospital in Haridwar, one is Rishikul State Ayurvedic College (has PG level courses) and the other is Gurukul Ayurvedic College.

Haridwar Other colleges

LOC Jagjeetpur, ORG Delhi Public School, ORG DAV Central Public School, ORG ., ORG Kendriya Vidyalaya, PER H. E. L. Haridwar, PER B, LOC Haridwar

Delhi Public School, Haridwar Kendriya Vidyalaya, B.H.E.L. Haridwar DAV Central Public School, Jagjeetpur

Haridwar Other schools

ORG Central Foundry Forge Plant, ORG State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand, ORG Heavy Electricals Equipment Plant, ORG Public Sector, LOC Mahindra, LOC Khedli, LOC Delhi - Hardwar National Highway, PER Rana Pratap, LOC Upper Ganges Canal, LOC Kisanpur Rohalki, LOC Mewar, ORG CFFP, ORG Havells, LOC Salempur, ORG B. H. E. L., ORG Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, LOC Delhi National Highway, LOC Alipur, PER Mohammed Pura, ORG ITC, ORG Mahindra, ORG Kirby, LOC Ranipur Township, LOC Haridwar, LOC Atmalpur Bongla, LOC Bhimgoda Barrage, LOC Sitapur, ORG PSU, ORG Maharatna Public Sector, LOC Jwalapur, ORG SIDCUL, ORG Dabur, LOC Pathri, PER Sisodias, LOC BHEL Township, LOC Mehta, ORG HEEP, ORG Hindustan Unilever Limited, LOC Bahadrabad

B.H.E.L., Ranipur Township The campus of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) is spread across an area of 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi). The main factory consists of two divisions: the Heavy Electricals Equipment Plant (HEEP), and the Central Foundry Forge Plant (CFFP). Together they employ over 8000 skilled employees. The campus is divided into six sectors providing excellent residential, schooling and medical facilities. Bahadrabad – 7 km (4.3 mi) It is located on the Haridwar–Delhi National Highway at a distance of 7 km (4.3 mi) from Haridwar. Close by, in village Pathri, lies the Bhimgoda Barrage built on the Upper Ganges Canal in 1955. It also has a block development office responsible for many developed villages (e.g. Khedli, Kisanpur Rohalki, Atmalpur Bongla, Sitapur, Alipur, Salempur). SIDCUL – 5 km (3.1 mi) A massive industrial area, spread over 2,034 acres (823 ha), developed by State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand (SIDCUL), a state government body. With the arrival of big enterprises like ITC, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Dabur, Mahindra & Mahindra, Havells and Kirby, SIDCUL is set to develop into another industrial township within the city. three km (1.9 mi) away from the Delhi-Hardwar National Highway, SIDCUL lies adjacent to the BHEL Township, an important Public Sector township. Jwalapur An old part of the city, Jwalapur is the financial and industrial capital of the city, and now an important trading and shopping centre for the locals. The town dates back to 1700 CE. This town was called Mohammed Pura and ruled by a local Muslim ruler. In the early 1600s the family of Sisodias from Mewar, descendants of Rana Pratap, fleeing from the Mughal invasion, came to settle on the outskirts of Haridwar. The families lived quietly for almost a generation to avoid detection. Local people renamed their surname to Mehta. It is firmly believed that in early 1700 the Mehtas dislodged the Muslim ruler and renamed the town as Jwalapur. This family subsequently settled in Jwalapur itself and intermarried with the local population. Cheela Dam A good picnic spot with a dam and a man-made lake nearby. Elephants and other wild animals may be spotted. Shivalik Nagar One of the newest and biggest residential areas of Haridwar. It is divided into various clusters. It was originally developed as a residential colony for BHEL employees, but with the advent of SIDCUL, population and financial activity has grown rapidly in the area due to its proximity.

Haridwar Important areas within the city

LOC Haridwar

Haridwar is headquarters of Haridwar district and it has good connectivity with the other towns of the district and the state.

Haridwar Transport

LOC Kichha, LOC Mana Pass, LOC National, LOC Roorkee, LOC Kashipur, LOC National Highway, LOC Ghaziabad, LOC Badrinath, LOC Meerut, LOC Pilibhit, LOC Delhi, LOC Muzzafarnagar, LOC Nagina, LOC Bareilly, LOC Haridwar

National Highway 58, between Delhi and Mana Pass passes through Haridwar connecting it with Ghaziabad, Meerut, Muzzafarnagar, Roorkee and Badrinath and National Highway 74 originating from Haridwar connects it with Kashipur, Kichha, Nagina, Pilibhit and Bareilly. Haridwar is well connected to all major cities by bus. Buses from Delhi to Haridwar are available daily, more than 150 buses are available.

Haridwar Road