Haridwar, the Gateway to the Char Dham

Haridwar is one of the seven holy cities of India, at the point where the Ganga leaves the Shivalik hills and flows into the plains. Every evening thousands gather at Har Ki Pauri for the Ganga Aarti, when priests raise flaming lamps over the river and leaf boats of flowers and diyas float downstream. The city is also one of the four sites of the Kumbh Mela.

For pilgrims, Haridwar is where the journey into the mountains begins: the Char Dham Yatra to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath starts here. The temples of Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi look down on the city from the hills, the lit Dhanush bridge spans the river, and Rishikesh is a short drive upstream.

HEC Group of Institutions has been part of this city since 2002. Students study a short ride from the ghats, with the railway station, bus stand and Dehradun airport all close by.