Haridwar Waterfront

I just thought I would post these pictures showing how Haridwar has arranged its Ganga area. It is quite nicely done and could be seen as a reference for how things could be done at Vrindavan.

This first picture is taken from the gondola lift to Manasa Devi. You can see the old Ganga bed on the far side and the canal segment running next to the town. There are actually several channels and hydroelectric generators in more than one location. But the organization of the waterways has been effective. The main highway runs in between them, but there is also a nice green park in that space. The main Kumbha Mela tent city is on the far side of the bridge that crosses the Ganga to the upper left of the picture.

This picture is taken from the Hardwar city side looking toward the above mentioned green area between the canal and old Ganges bed. Ghats line both sides of the canal. Since the hills run quite close to the river, the town is quite narrow. The market section is in the Harki Pauri area. In both directions away from Harki Pauri there are hundreds of ashrams, some quite prosperous, as well as hotels, etc.

The image below shows a painted slogan on the ghat wall. It says "India's soul resides in its holy places. India's development lies in the development of her holy places."


Looking upstream from a bridge, the name of which I forget. There are quite a few bridges crisscrossing the canal portion of the Ganga, which is where most of the bathing goes on. Many were built just for the Kumbha and most are for pedestrian traffic alone. Most come to bathe at Harki Pauri, which is in this direction but cannot be seen on the photo.

Looking downstream from the same bridge. The park is on the left side. You can see there are many bridges--even more have been built to facilitate bathing for the Kumbha Mela. It gives an almost Budapestian flavor to the site.

Bridges in themselves are not a problem. The problem with the Keshi Ghat bridge is that it defaces the architectural and natural beauty of Vrindavan, as well as destroying the relationship of the pilgrim to the sacred character of the town. Here, the contrary has been achieved.

Another view from the same ghat as above.

Here is a scene of the original Ganga bed, with donkeys bringing stones across.

On the whole, I was quite favorably impressed by Haridwar. Clearly a great amount of money has come in for the Kumbha Mela, but the money appears to have been well used. There are still spots that are glaringly unkept, but much of the riverfront is in good condition and is being kept clean.

Both Haridwar and Rishikesh are showing signs of development that both demonstrates an awareness of pilgrim tourism and the enhancement of their natural beauty. In both places, car traffic is kept away from the waterfront areas and sufficient space is being set aside for peaceful promenades.

If only Vrindavan could take inspiration and develop its Parikrama Marg with the same philosophy. The topography naturally favors this kind of development in Rishikesh and Haridwar, nevertheless, it is the end result we must look at.