Sapt Rishi Ashram
Visiting an ashram in Haridwar is the
dream of many, including both devotees as well as tourists. Each ashram
has its own mythological significance. Also refrerred to as Sapt
Sarovar, the Sapt Rishi Ashram is a frequently visited site in
the holy town of Haridwar. The ancient ashram stands on the Haridwar-Rishikesh
Road. If you are visiting
Har
ki Pauri in Haridwar, you will only need to cover a distance of
5 km to the north to reach the Sapt Rishi Ashram. The
word 'Sapt', meaning seven, refers to a legend. According to the Hindu
tradition, the ashram is the place where seven sages (known as
Saptarshis) has once meditated. These seven sages (or rishis) include
Kashyapa, Vashisht, Atri,
Vishwamitra, Jamadagi, Bharadwaja
and Gautam.
Hindus believe that when the sages sat
here to meditate, they were disturbed by the thunderous waters of the
Ganges. To continue with their meditation in peace, they trapped the
River Ganges. Later, the Ganga split herself into seven small streams to
avoid any interruption to the meditating sages. Hence, the Sapt Rishi
Ashram came to be known as Sapt Sarovar, meaning seven streams. Today,
the ashram stands at the mediation site to commemorate the whole
mythological event.
Visitors from all parts of the globe
hold the ashram in high regard and visit the place to seek spiritual
peace and growth. Sages and rishis as well can be seen here, smeared in
ashes. A visit to Haridwar without visiting this ashram can also lead to
blasphemy. So, do not miss to pay a visit to this ashram during your
holidays in Haridwar.
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