The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t6.8

c6.s3.t6.8

The name of Haridwâra, or “Vishnu’s Gate,” would appear to be comparatively modern, as both Abu Rihân and Rashid-ud-din mention only Gangâ-dwâra. Kâlidâs also, in his ‘Meghaduta,’ says nothing of Haridwâra, although he mentions Kankhal; but as his contemporary Amarasinha gives Vishnupadi as one of the synonyms of the Ganges, it is certain that the legend of its rise from Vishnu’s foot is as old as the fifth century. I infer, however, that no temple of the Vishnupada had been erected down to the time of Abu Rihân. The first allusion to it of which I am aware is by Sharif-ud-din,* the historian of Timur, who says that the Ganges issues from the hills by the pass of Cou-pele, which I take to be the same as Koh-pairi, or the "Hill of the Feet" (of Vishnu), as the great bathing ghat at the Gangâdwâra temple is called Pairi Ghat, and the hill above it Pairi Pahâr. In the time of Akbar, the name of Haridwâr was well known, as Abul Fazl speaks of "Mâyâ, vulgo Haridwâr, on the Ganges," as being considered holy for 18 kos in length.† In the next reign the place was visited by Tom Coryat, who informed Chaplain Terry that at "Haridwâra, the capital of Siba, the Ganges flowed amongst large rocks with a pretty full current." In 1796 the town was visited by Hardwicke, who calls it a small place situated at the base of the hills. In 1808, Raper describes it as very inconsiderable, having only one street, about 15 feet in breadth, and a furlong and a half (or three-eighths of a mile) in length. It is now much larger, being fully three-quarters of a mile in length, but there is still only one street.