Spirituality of the Himalaya Mountains

The Himalaya mountains crowning India, Nepal, Bhutan, in which are Tibet and other places in Asia, are an immense source of spiritual energy, related to many different faiths.

Re: Spirituality of the Himalaya Mountains

From Buzzle

Himalayan region in India is a paradise full of intense spirituality and inhabited by people with faith in Gods and Goddesses. Presence of a large number of holy places and temples in the lap of Himalayas is a proof of why it is called land of Gods and Goddesses.

Be it the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir or the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh or one of the youngest states of India, Uttarakhand, there are a number of holy places, shrines and historical temples which are visited by a large number of devotees every year.

Re: Spirituality of the Himalaya Mountains-Ganga, Haridwar

The River Ganga, called Ganges in English, is interwoven in the historical, cultural, emotional, economic and spiritual life, of people, as the song in the video hints at. 

Haridwar - Where the Ganges is revered

Temples of the Himalayas

Haridwar located in the foothills of the Himalayas, represents the point where the Ganga reaches the plains. Haridwar is an ancient pilgrimage site, held in reverence for centuries. The Chinese pilgrim Hyuen Tsang who visited India in the first millennium CE, describes Haridwar as Mayura, on the eastern banks of the Ganges. Several temples and ashrams dot this town and a visit to Haridwar is like stepping into a totally different world.

Legend has it that Bhagiratha, brought the Ganges into the earth, and into this point where his ancestors were burnt to ashes by the curse of the sage Kapila. Kapilastaan, a spot in Haridwar is pointed to as Kapila's hermitage. Haridwar was once known as Gangadwara.
Haridwar (and Rishikesh) represents the gateway to the Himalayan pilgrimage shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. The pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrines begins only when the sun reaches the zodiac sign of Aries. Haridwar is also the site of celebration of the Kumbha Mela, once in twelve years, when Jupiter transits to the zodiac sign of Aquarius.
The five sacred bathing spots in Haridwar are Gangadwara, Kankhal, Nila Parvata, Bilwa Theertha and Kusavarta. The main ghat at Haridwar is known as Hari-ki-Pairi (known for a footprint of Vishnu on a stone in a wall). Nearby is the Gangadwara temple, the most important of the several temples that dot this town. The Ganga Aarti which is celebrated at 7 pm each night, is a spectacular sight, when the aarti ceremony is performed at all temples in Haridwar at the same instant (see image above). Hundreds throng to the ghats at Hari-ki-Pairi to participate in this festival. Offerings of lamps and flowers are made to the river immediately following this ceremony and it is a moving sight to watch hundreds of miniature lamps float along the river.
Near Haridwar are the towns of Mayapuri and Kankhal. Kankhal houses the Daksheswara temple, said to be the site of Daksha's yagna, which was destroyed by Shiva.


From Temple.net

Image source

Re: Spirituality of the Himalaya Mountains-Ganga, Haridwar

Haridwar or Hardwar has been given many names in the prehistoric times. Haridwar has a literal meaning that is the ” gateway to the abode of Gods “. Lush green forests and small ponds adorns the scenic beauty of this holy land. In mythology Hardwar is known as Kapilsthaan, and its other names are Gangadwar, Tapovan, Mayapuri,… It is said that gods left their footprints on the land of Haridwar. Metaphorically they also left an indelible mark on the spiritual ethos of every hindu - more so, the devout, who would later follow their holy paths all across this blessed land.

Haridwar has not only remained the abode of the weary in body, mind and spirit, but also served as a center of attraction for many, for learning the arts, science and culture. Haridwar is one of the first towns where ganga emerges from the mountains to touch the plains. And that is why the water at Haridwar is crystal clear and cool. Mythologically drops of nectar churned out from the primordial ocean full at the four sites of the Kumbh Mela fair including Haridwar.
-Sanatan Society

Image source- the Ganga in Haridwar
Video of Ganga Aarti