Haridwar in Uttar Pradesh is the heart to the piligrimage centers of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarakhand Haridwar has been a holy place of pilgrimage from time immemorial. Haridwar is also known as Gangadwar and Tapovan Haridwar is situated on the right bank of the river Ganga at the base of the Shivalik Mountains. In the ancient days it was known as Mayapuri. On every twelth year when Kumbh is held in Haridwar thousands of pilgrims throng to Haridwar. Pilgrims come here in search of salvation from wordly sins.

Haridwar in Uttar Pradesh is filled with infinite number of ashrams and dharamsalas, which have been established by religious institutions to give shelter to the countless pilgrims who visit and depart from Haridwar every day. According to ancient legend and tradition, it was in Haridwar that the `yakshas` and `devas` had their great darshan of Vishnu. The River Ganga flows from the hills to the lavish ridges of Himalayas at Haridwar.

The Pandas play an important role in every day life of Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh right from arranging lodging and puja; they also see to it that their `yajmans` (tourists) enjoy the sightseeing. They maintain up-to date records of their `yajmans` and even about their ancestors who had visited Haridwar numerous generations before. The pandas make it quite easy for visitors to find out if their ancestors had made a pilgrimage. Some of the Pandas are even well versed are well versed in Hindu philosophy as well as public relations. The busy market, filled with vegetarian restaurants, is crowded with shops stuffed with foodstuffs, travel goods, woolens and souvenirs (mementoes).