Beyond death: How Haridwar helps souls find peace – The Times of India
One of the most famous places where people seek liberation, for themselves and their ancestors is Kashi. About Kashi, people say ‘Kashi Marnam Mutki’, which means ‘to die in Kashi, means liberation from the cycle of the world’. But another place where people go for liberation, especially for the ghosts and ancestors, is Haridwar.
Haridwar is one of the seven holiest cities in India, and is like a Gateway to the heavens, the abode of the Gods. It is said that divine and positive energies flow all around Haridwar, changing people for the better, and helping the dead souls reach their right destination.
The name ‘Haridwar’
The name ‘Haridwar’ is taken from two words – Hari, which is another name for Lord Vishnu, and is more popularly a term for the Gods, and Dwar which means gate. And so Haridwar is the gate to Lord Vishnu’s abode, Vaikuntha.
And so it is often said that Haridwar is the gateway to both salvation and the home of Lord Vishnu, where souls yearn to go.
And even without being a gateway to Lord Vishnu’s home, Haridwar is simply a breathtaking city with a mix of spiritual energies, ancient temples, and the positivity that spreads around with Maa Ganga. The sight of the flowing Ganga water is simply surreal, and the way the sunlight falls on the flowing water, it makes the river glisten with positivity and light.
And as there is a temple in every nook and corner of Haridwar, the sound of temple bells in ever flowing, so is the sound of mantras, crowds, the aroma of kapur and incense, and much more, contributing to a spiritual environment.
And to put a cherry on the cake, the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri in the evening uplifts the environment even more, and the city becomes the hub of love and light. There are lamps on leaves and flowers flowing all through the Ganga, and people pray for health and well-being.
Aryan Sharma, a traveller who recently visited Haridwar on a solo trip, described his experience as one of love and immense spiritual ‘vibes’. Aryan says “This was not my first solo trip, but Haridwar was close to Delhi and it seemed like the perfect weekend getaway. And although I have been to Haridwar before, to go there alone with no itenerary or group felt like a different kind of peace. The way Gangajal would flow through my feet and shine as I took some in my hand, it was simly surreal. Everytime I sat near Ganga, it felt like she was calling me closer, alomst as if telling me that you will be a new person when you leave this time.”
Aryan also said that solo travelling felt extremely peaceful, and with the chants in temples and the cold water running through, all of it felt extremely peaceful and reviving.
Puja in Haridwar (Image generated with Meta AI)
Ganga taking away the sins
In Haridwar, Maa Ganga is the driving force of the city. Be it taking a dip in the Ganga water with the chant of ‘Har Har Gange’ or immersing the ashes of the dead in the river, everything is done.
The Ganga is a divine river and is believed to have been descended straight from the heavens. According to beliefs and tales, King Bhagirath performed severe penance to bring the river down from heaven to liberate the souls of his ancestors. When Maa Ganga finally descended, Lord Shiva had to hold her in his matted locks to soften her impact before she touched the Earth.
Umashankar ji, a priest in Haridwar, always enlightens people about why and how Ganga became ‘Moksh Vahini’ or the transport that carries people to Moksha. He intently tells people the story of King Bhagirath and how his intense penance convinced not just Maa Ganga to come to Earth, but also Lord Shiva to help Maa Ganga descend to Earth at a slower pace than her original, divine flow.
Umashankar ji says that in Haridwar, Ganga does not just cleanse those who are deceased, but also those people who come here with an open heart and promise Maa Ganga that they’d never commit the same sins or mistakes again. He closes with the classic line ‘Paap wahi dhulte hai yaha jo anjaane me kiye ho’, which means ‘Ganga only cleanses the sins which were done as a mistake or unknowingly’.
And thus according to Hindu scriptures, taking a dip in the Ganga washes away past karmas, allowing devotees to attain spiritual purity. Many also believe that the Ganga serves as a bridge between life and the afterlife, carrying souls to their final place in heaven.
The last rites in Haridwar
Haridwar is one of the most famous places for performing the last rites, the Antim Sanskar of a Hindu. People bring the ashes of their loved ones to immerse in the Ganga water, and it is assurance enough for them that their ancestors will reach the gates of heaven. Priests guide families through the rituals, chanting mantras, doing havana, and much more.
Families go to Haridwar as an assurance that if the last rites are performed in the holy land, their ancestors will complete their time on Earth and reach Vaikuntha or heaven wherever their rightful place is.
