History
The history of Tehri Garhwal is fraught with drama and pathos. Now a
small constituency forming a part of the state of Uttaranchal, it was
once a princely state ruled by the Shah family, with Narendra Nagar as
its summer capital and the Palace as the official residence – where the
vice regal suite of Ananda in the Himalayas, is situated.
The neat little town of Narendrangar, with its charming market, it’s
wide central road and its location serving far flung hill hamlets is a
tribute to the Maharaja. In the days of the British Raj the beautiful
palace was known to welcome Viceroys and people of eminence – including
Mahatama Gandhi and Mira Ben and post independence it has played host to
several eminent political and religious personalities.
Ma Anandmayi, a well known spiritual guide, whose wise teachings, gentle
ways and immensely charismatic presence attracted a very large following
from all parts of the world, often visited the Maharaja’s family and her
room, quaint, simple and still holding much of her spiritual energy, is
tucked away in a quiet corner of the Viceregal terrace, overlooking the
valley and the grounds and stands testimonial to the old Maharaja’s
close links with the history of spiritual India.
His son, Maharaja Manabendra Shah, father of the current Maharaja, took
over from his father, but the changing face of post-freedom India, soon
wiped out princely roles and the family turned to politics in order to
keep alive their roots.
Mythology A venture into the Himalayas is more than a mere journey: it is
a "yatra" (a pilgrimage). A pilgrimage does not hold more importance
than it does in Garhwal and Kumaon, once known as "Uttarakhand" - the
'northern territories' - in the pre Vedic era. This is the domain of the
ascetic Lord Shiva, the destroyer; it is a land charged with "Shakti",
the power and energy of the goddess Parvati, consort of Shiva and the
daughter of Himavat, Lord of the Mountains. Together, Garhwal and Kumaon
form a sizable wedge in the Central Himalayas, joining India and Nepal.
Garhwal today remains a land of myth and legend, where every stone tells
a story. The earliest historical references to the region are found in
the Vedas, paeans to the purity of the Himalayas. Specific mention of
the mountains exists in the Mahabharata, dated around 1000 BC. This is
when the protagonists of the epic, the Pandavas, are said to have ended
their life on earth by ascending the slopes of the peak in western
Garhwal called Swargarohini - literally, the Ascent to Heaven'. The epic
also mentions this region being the home of the Kirata, Puolinda and
Tangara tribes.
The Region
Haridwar
It is said that when 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. Of such significance is Haridwar in
the thought of India's traditional Hindus that it has earned its
sobriquet of honor as The Gateway to the Gods.
Legend has it that the holy Ganga, the holiest of all rivers, which
flows through this sacred city, has actually been sanctified by the
powerful trinity of Hindu mythology- Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Down the ages, this special importance of Haridwar as the
ever-refreshing mystic venue for the purification of the mind, body and
soul gained more impetus and today manifests itself in two great events
that take place here - the memorable Kumbh Mela which is held every 12
years and the Ardh Kumbh Mela, which is held once every 6 years.
Yet, beyond the mystic aura and mythology, Haridwar casts another magic
spell on the visitor. Being one of the oldest living cities, Haridwar
finds its mention in the ancient India scriptures as it weaves through
the life and times, from the period of Lord Buddha to the more recent
British advent.
Haridwar is one of the first towns where Ganga emerges from the
mountains to touch the plains. In the evening, the Ghats (places built
on the banks of the river for the holy dip in the river Ganga) look
breathtakingly beautiful as thousands of diyas (earthen lamps) and
marigold flowers illuminate the holy waters at the time of the Ganga
Aarti - a much awaited daily ritual, where the river Ganga is
propitiated for all the bounty that she bestows on the Indian plains.
Rishikesh The town of Rishikesh lies in the foothills of the Garhwal region.
Located 1160 feet above sea level, it is the gateway to the upper
Garhwal region and the starting point to the Char Dham - four famous
pilgrim centers namely Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamnotri. It
is believed that meditation at this place leads to attainment of
salvation.
The Ganga flows through the town and is worshipped here. Rishikesh has
long been a spiritual centre. It has numerous ashrams, some of which are
internationally recognized, as places for philosophical studies, yoga
and meditation. An international 'Yoga Week' is organized here every
year in the first week of February.
Back in the 1960's Rishikesh gained instant fame as the site, when the
Beatles came to stay here with their guru, Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, famous
and well loved exponent of Yoga throughout the Western world and at home
in India.
