An education hub

The city with its labyrinthine lanes, temples dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses and ghats is considered the epitome of Hindu spirituality. The 21st century Haridwar, however has a lot more to offer than just the aforesaid. It is now a kaleidoscope of Indian culture and education. Education in Haridwar is one of the state's many claims to fame.

The region is a centre of academic excellence where numerous scholars and researchers flock to quench their intellectual quest. Haridwar that is famed for its traditional Gurukul system of education imparts a value based education system to the students. This is evinced by the education system followed by the numerous schools that the state is endowed with. State Ayurvedic Collage , Gurukul Kangri University, Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Shanti Kunj and Rishikul ayurvedic College are amongst the premier Ayurvedic Universities where students come from all parts of the world to receive the knowledge of ancient alternative medical science .Graduate and post graduate colleges and research centres give ample opportunities to student to keep pace with current trends in the chosen field of interest. Recently the introduction of Patanjali University founded by Swami Ramdev has added another chapter to this inheritance of saints and sages. Besides this Chinmaya degree Collage, SMJN and Mahilla Vidyalaya offer regular courses in Science ,Commerce and Arts. Schooling is no less reputed and valued in the holy city.

On the fast track

Till about two decades ago, education in the city was limited to a university that had closed its doors its doors for the fairer sex, two truncated art colleges and two schools teaching ayurvedic medicine. Over the years, the higher education scenario has changed dramatically in the city. The art colleges have sprouted new faculties; girls can now study upto the post - graduate level at the Kanya Gurkul Mahavidyalaya and residents of Haridwar, interested in pursuing science no longer have to head out of the city for education. After the creation of Uttarakhand state in 2000, the entire holy city has undergone a sea change, with winds of progress, prosperity and modernity sweeping across the city and adjoining areas. Before being included in Uttarakhand, Haridwar was known for its gurukuls, Sanskrit vidyalalyas and Ayurveda mahavidyalayas. Now the emphasis has shifted to the job oriented technical and management disciplines. Half a dozen private colleges offering professional courses have cropped up and so have two new universities- the Dev Sanskriti University and Uttarakhand Sanskrit University. These were set up to popularize the classical language, adjusting it to modern requirements.