PIN 249408 Elevation 260 m | Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) Telephone code 01334 Area code 01334 | |
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Similar Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, Maya Devi Temple - Haridwar | ||
Kankhal is a small colony in Haridwar in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand state in India.
Contents
- Map of Kankhal Haridwar Uttarakhand
- Darshan of shree neelkanth mahadev mandir the holly place haridwar rishikesh kankhal uttarakhand
- Kankhal in scriptures
- History
- Geography
- Important places in Kankhal
- Transport
- References
Map of Kankhal, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Mentioned in the Vayu Purana and the Mahabharata as Kanakhala, Kankhal is one of 'Panch Tirth' (Five Pilgrimages) within Haridwar, with other spots being Gangadwara (Har ki Pauri), Kushwart (Ghat in Kankhal), Bilwa Teerth (Mansa Devi Temple) and Neel Parvat (Chandi Devi Temple).
It is most known for the Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, Maa Anandamoyi Ashram and numerous other ashrams and old houses with exquisite wall paintings built by Hindu pilgrims in the 19th century.
Darshan of shree neelkanth mahadev mandir the holly place haridwar rishikesh kankhal uttarakhand
Kankhal in scriptures
Kankhal is mentioned in Mahabharata as follows,
"Here, O king, before thee is the Kanakhala range, the favourite resort of sages. 'And yonder is the mighty river Ganga. Here, in ancient times, the holy sage Sanatkumara attained ascetic success. O scion of the Ajamidha race, by performing thy ablutions here in this river, thou wilt be freed from all thy sins.
- The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CXXXV.
"Bathing in Gangadwara (Haridwar) and Kusavarta...as also in Kankhala, one is sure to become cleansed of all one's sins and then ascend to heaven."
-- The Mahabharata, Book 13: Anusasanika Parva: Section XXV, p. 130.
History
Traditionally, Kankhal is considered to be the summer capital and Kurukshetra the winter capital of Shiva.God Shiva after ascending to the throne visited plain areas, the present Haridwar. To give a warm welcome to God Shiva the site of Haridwar was made a welcome-gate hence called Haridwar.
In the Vanaparva of the Mahabharat, where sage Dhaumya tells Yudhishthira about the tirthas of India, Gangadwar, i.e., Haridwar and Kankhal, have been referred to. Kankhal also finds mention in the poem Meghaduta (Cloud messenger), of the 3rd century AD, classical Sanskrit poet and dramatist, Kalidas.
When the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak (1469–1539), visited Haridwar in 1504 AD, on the Baisakhi day, he went on to visit Kankhal, en route to Kotdwara in Garhwal. Kankhal also finds mention in the travel accounts of Sister Nivedita (1867–1911), a disciple of Swami Vivekananda, wherein she mentions that long before Haridwar became popular, Kankhal had been a center for education and pilgrimage
As late as early 19th century it used to be a separate town, from Haridwar and Mayapur in the areas, though due to urban development it now falls within the city limits of Haridwar.
Work on the Upper Ganges canal commenced in April 1842, between Haridwar and Kankhal. Apart from being home various temples and ashrams of various sects, Kankhal also has numerous old havelis, mansion, now visitors attraction, especially heritage tours. Mostly built in previous century, they are known for their frescoes and haveli architecture, and were built by princely states, and zamindars for their stay in the pilgrimage town during summer months.
Geography
Kankhal is located at 29.93°N 78.15°E / 29.93; 78.15. It has an average elevation of 260 metres (853 feet).
Important places in Kankhal
Transport
Kankhal is well connected by road to National Highway 58, between Delhi and Manapass. Nearest railway stations are at Jwalapur and Haridwar. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, though Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is preferred.
Its neighbouring towns are Jwalapur, Haridwar, and Laksar.