The Eternal Door of the Almighty
By Prof. S.S. Dogra
“Haridwar is not merely a destination on the map of India; it is a destination on the journey of the human soul. Once you experience its divine embrace, a part of your heart remains forever on the banks of the sacred Ganga.”
— Prof. S.S. Dogra
Some places are visited with the eyes; others are experienced with the soul. Haridwar belongs to the latter. One of India’s sacred cities, this timeless settlement on the banks of the holy Ganga has for centuries drawn saints, seekers, pilgrims and travellers in search of peace, faith and spiritual awakening.
For me, Haridwar has always carried a deeper meaning. Born into a Hindu family, I have grown up with an emotional reverence for the Ganga and the sacred traditions associated with it. Over the years, Haridwar has become much more than a pilgrimage destination. It has become a place of reflection, remembrance and renewal—a place where the noise of everyday life gradually gives way to the quiet voice within.
My recent visit (22-25 July ,2026) acquired an even deeper significance through a noble mission dedicated to cow conservation and academic excellence, led by Shri Sanjay Vashishtha along with Dr. Piyush and Ravinder. During my stay at Shree Krishna Niwas Ashram on Sanyas Marg in Kankhal, under the blessings of Mahamandaleshwar Swami Giridhar Giri Ji Maharaj, I had the privilege of presenting my book WOW – Words of Wisdom to Swami Ji.
The ashram offered an atmosphere that is increasingly rare in the modern world—where silence speaks louder than words, simplicity becomes a form of wisdom, and every sunrise over the Ganga seems to invite one towards inner transformation.
“Where the Ganga Meets the Plains”
Haridwar holds a unique place in India’s spiritual geography. It is regarded as the first major place where the Ganga enters the plains after its long journey from the Himalayas. Originating from the Gangotri glacier region, the river is far more than a geographical phenomenon. For millions of Indians, Maa Ganga is a living symbol of purity, faith, civilisation and continuity.
Her waters have been woven into the most significant moments of Hindu life—from birth ceremonies and weddings to prayers and final rites. A small vessel of Gangajal kept in a Hindu household is not merely water; it represents purity, blessings and an enduring connection with the sacred.
And then there is Har Ki Pauri, the spiritual heartbeat of Haridwar.
To witness the evening Ganga Aarti here is to experience something that words can only partially describe. As hundreds of lamps illuminate the river, temple bells and devotional chants rise into the evening air, and countless diyas float gently upon the water, the entire atmosphere seems to transcend boundaries of religion, language and nationality.
For those few moments, the Ganga becomes not simply a river but a shared human experience—a celebration of devotion, gratitude and humanity’s eternal bond with nature.
“Kankhal: Where Mythology Lives”
Kankhal, where I stayed during my recent visit, occupies a special place in India’s spiritual imagination. But Kankhal is not merely a place of mythology. Its quiet lanes, temple bells, ashrams and disciplined spiritual life offer a living lesson in simplicity. Watching saints and devotees follow their daily routines, one is reminded that happiness does not necessarily reside in material abundance. Sometimes it is found in humility, discipline, service and surrender.
Haridwar’s beauty, however, extends well beyond its temples and rituals. The gentle flow of the Ganga, the Himalayan breeze, greenery and the continuous sound of sacred chants create an atmosphere that seems to soothe both mind and soul.
Perhaps that is Haridwar’s greatest gift: it does not ask you to escape from life; it teaches you to look at life differently.
“A River That Lives in India’s Collective Memory”
The Ganga has inspired generations of poets, musicians, writers, artists and filmmakers. Few rivers anywhere in the world occupy such a profound space in the collective imagination of a civilisation.
The immortal song “Ganga Tera Pani Amrit” beautifully captures the emotion that millions of Indians associate with the sacred river. For many, the Ganga is not simply part of India’s landscape; she is part of India’s memory, culture and spiritual consciousness.
Yet my relationship with Haridwar is not only about faith and celebration. It also carries some of the most emotional memories of my life.
It was here that my family performed the last rites of my elder brother, my mother, my father-in-law and my mother-in-law. Those deeply personal moments brought me face to face with the fragility of human life and, at the same time, with the timeless belief in the eternal cycle of existence.
In moments of grief, Haridwar offered something difficult to describe—a quiet acceptance. The Ganga continued to flow, reminding me that life moves forward even as memories remain behind.
“A Bond Strengthened Through Literature”
My association with Haridwar has also grown through literature and journalism.
I had the privilege of receiving a personal invitation from Shri Sanjay Handa Ji to participate in the Haridwar Literature Festival-2025, where I recited two of my self-written poems during the inaugural session. Standing before an audience of literary enthusiasts in a city steeped in spirituality and scholarship was an experience I shall always cherish.
Earlier, in 2023, I had the opportunity to accompany senior journalist Shri Vijay Sharma Ji to Haridwar & Yashoda Singh. During that visit, I was privileged to interact with and receive the honour of the office-bearers of Shri Ganga Sabha (Regd.), Haridwar—President Shri Naveen Gautam, General Secretary Shri Tanmay Vashishtha and Secretary Shri Virendra Kaushik.
Their dedication to preserving the sanctity and purity of Maa Ganga was deeply inspiring. The Ganga needs not only reverence in our prayers but also responsibility in our actions. Protecting her purity is ultimately about protecting a vital part of India’s cultural and ecological heritage.
On my latest visit, senior social activist Shri Jagdish Lal Pahwa Ji felicitated all of us in his office with a traditional scarf carrying a spiritual citation and his personal feelings. Such gestures may appear simple, but they often become treasured memories because they carry warmth, respect and human connection.
“From Haridwar to the Himalayan Hills”
My association with this sacred region continues to evolve.
In September 2026, I look forward to participating in a two-day Editors’ Seminar on September 12–13 at the picturesque Vrindavan Resort, Mohan Chatti, Gattu Ghat, near the revered Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh.
Organised by senior journalist Shri Yogesh Bhardwaj, the seminar is expected to bring together eminent editors, scholars, legislators, former judges and retired IAS and IPS officers. With discussions around media, yoga, astrology and public service, the gathering promises to combine professional dialogue with spiritual enrichment amid the Himalayan landscape and the sacred Ganga.
Perhaps there could be no more appropriate setting for conversations about society and public life than the banks of a river that has witnessed the rise and transformation of Indian civilisation for thousands of years.
“Returning With Something More”
As I return home from Haridwar, I realise that I am carrying back much more than photographs, meetings and memories.
I am carrying renewed faith, inner peace and a deeper appreciation of India’s timeless spiritual heritage.
Haridwar teaches quietly. It teaches through the flowing Ganga, the ringing temple bells, the fragrance of incense, the chants of saints, the glow of evening lamps and the silence that follows prayer.
It reminds us that modernity may change our surroundings, but some truths remain eternal.
The Ganga continues to flow.
The lamps continue to rise at dusk.
The prayers continue to travel into the sky.
And generations continue to arrive at Haridwar carrying their questions, their hopes, their grief and their gratitude.
Perhaps that is why Haridwar is not simply a place one visits.
It is a place one returns to—again and again—not always by road, but through memory, faith and the quiet journey of the soul.
For when the world becomes too loud and the heart begins searching for meaning, Haridwar seems to whisper the answer:
Come to the Ganga.
Sit quietly.
And let your soul find its way home.
(Prof. S.S.Dogra-Author of many Influencial Books & Bureau Chief-Delhi, Himalini Magazine Nepal)
