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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kankhal
| native_name = कनखल
| native_name_lang = hi
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = town
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Uttarakhand#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Uttarakhand, India
| coordinates = {{coord|29.93|N|78.15|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Uttarakhand]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Haridwar district|Haridwar]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 260
| population_total =
| population_as_of = 2001
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 249408
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 01334
| registration_plate = UK
| website = {{URL|http://haridwar.nic.in}}
| footnotes = [http://www.whereincity.com/india/pincode/uttarakhand/haridwar.htm]
}}
'''Kankhal''' is a small colony in [[Haridwar]]<ref name=cart>[http://personal.carthage.edu/jlochtefeld/indiajterm/Kankhal.html A study of Kankhal]</ref> in the [[Haridwar district]] of [[Uttarakhand]] [[States and territories of India|state]] in [[India]].

Mentioned in the [[Vayu Purana]] and the [[Mahabharata]] as ''Kanakhala'',<ref name=Vishnu>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp043.htm Vishnu Purana] Sacrifice of Daksha (From the [[Vayu Purana]].) The Vishnu Purana, translated by [[Horace Hayman Wilson]], 1840. '''p. 62''', "In former times, Daksha commenced a holy sacrifice on the side of Himaván, at the sacred spot ''Gangadwara'', frequented by the [[Rishi]]s. The gods, desirous of assisting at this solemn rite, came, with Indra at their head, to [[Shiva|Mahadeva]], and intimated their purpose; and having received his permission, departed in their splendid chariots to ''Gangadwára'', as tradition eports.” '''62:2''' ''Gangadwára'', the place where the Ganges descends to the plains--or Haridwar, as it is more usually termed--is usually specified as the scene of action, The [[Linga Purana|Linga (Purana)]] is more precise, calling it ''Kanakhala'', which is the village still called Kankhal, near Haridwar.(''Megha Dúta'', p. 63 p. 59). '''p. 68''' I am called [[Virabhadra]], the issue of the wrath of [[Rudra]]. ''Bhadrakálí'' also, who has sprung from the anger of [[Devi]]…</ref><ref name=maha/> Kankhal is one of 'Panch [[Tirtha and Kshetra|Tirth]]' (Five Pilgrimages) within Haridwar, with other spots being ''Gangadwara ''([[Har ki Pauri]]), ''Kushwart'' (Ghat in Kankhal), ''Bilwa Teerth'' ([[Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar|Mansa Devi Temple]]) and ''Neel Parvat'' ([[Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar|Chandi Devi Temple]]).<ref>[http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/india/popular-india-destinations/haridwar.html Travel guide Haridwar]</ref><ref name=info/>

It is most known for the [[Daksheswara Mahadev Temple]], Maa Anandamoyi Ashram and numerous other ashrams and old houses with exquisite wall paintings built by Hindu pilgrims in the 19th century.<ref name=cart/>

==Kankhal in scriptures==
Kankhal is mentioned in Mahabharata as follows,
{{quote|"Here, O king, before thee is the ''Kanakhala'' range, the favourite resort of sages. 'And yonder is the mighty river Ganga. Here, in ancient times, the holy sage [[Sanatkumara]] attained ascetic success. O scion of the Ajamidha race, by performing thy ablutions here in this river, thou wilt be freed from all thy sins.
|source=''[[The Mahabharata]]'', Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CXXXV.<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03135.htm Kanakhala] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]], Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CXXXV.</ref>}}
{{quote|"Bathing in ''Gangadwara'' (Haridwar) and ''Kusavarta''...as also in ''Kankhala'', one is sure to become cleansed of all one's sins and then ascend to heaven."
|source=''[[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]]'', Book 13: Anusasanika Parva: Section XXV, p. 130.<ref name=maha>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13a025.htm Bathing in ''Gangadwara''….. as also in ''Kankhala''] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]] translated by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] (1883 -1896], Book 13: Anusasanika Parva: Section XXV, p. 130.</ref>}}

==History==
[[File:Front facade of Naya Udasin Akhara, Kankhal.JPG|right|thumb|Front facade of ''Naya Udasin Akhara'', Kankhal, with elaborate frescoes.]]
[[File:Exterior view of the gateway and facade of the chowk at Kankhal, 1814.jpg|left|thumb|The gateway and facade of the chowk at Kankhal, 1814]]
Traditionally, Kankhal is considered to be the summer capital and [[Kurukshetra]] the winter capital of [[Shiva]]. God Shiva after ascending to the throne visited plain areas, the present [[Haridwar]]. To give a warm welcome to God Shiv ji the site of Haridwar was made a welcome-gate hence called Haridwar.

In the ''Vanaparva'' of the [[Mahabharat]], where sage Dhaumya tells [[Yudhishthira]] about the [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|tirtha]]s of India, Gangadwar, i.e., [[Haridwar]] and Kankhal, have been referred to.<ref>[http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07006.htm Historical, Cultural and Social Perspectives] Chapter 3, The Cultural Dimension Of Ecology, Baidyanath Saraswati, 1998, [[Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts]]. {{ISBN|81-246-0102-X}}. ignca.nic.in. Vanaparva (The Book of the Forest) is third ''parva'' (book) of the ''Mahabharata''.</ref> Kankhal also finds mention in the poem [[Meghaduta]] (Cloud messenger), of the 3rd century AD, classical [[Sanskrit]] poet and dramatist, [[Kālidāsa|Kalidas]].<ref name=Vishnu/>

When the first Sikh Guru, [[Guru Nanak]] (1469–1539), visited Haridwar in 1504 AD, on the [[Baisakhi]] day, he went on to visit Kankhal, en route to [[Kotdwara]] in [[Garhwal Kingdom|Garhwal]].<ref name=janam>[http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf Janasakhi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324124627/http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf |date=24 March 2012 }} [[Janamsakhis]] of Miharban and Mani Singh, mention this visit to have taken place on the [[Baisakhi]] day in 1504 AD. Janamsakhi Tradition, Dr. Kirpal Singh, 2004, Punjabi University, Patiala. {{ISBN|81-7205-311-8}}. p. 92. www.globalsikhstudies.net.</ref> Kankhal also finds mention in the travel accounts of [[Sister Nivedita]] (1867–1911), a disciple of [[Swami Vivekananda]], wherein she mentions that long before Haridwar became popular, Kankhal had been a center for education and pilgrimage <ref>[http://www.vivekananda.net/PDFBooks/KedarNathBadriNarayan.pdf Kedar Nath & Badri Narayan] - A Pilgrim's Diary. [[Sister Nivedita]], 1928, p. 10-11. www.vivekananda.net.</ref>

As late as early 19th century it used to be a separate town, from Haridwar and Mayapur in the areas,<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V21_377.gif History] [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]], v. 21, p. 371.</ref> though due to urban development it now falls within the city limits of [[Haridwar]].

Work on the [[Upper Ganges canal]] commenced in April 1842, between [[Haridwar]] and Kankhal.<ref name=Ganges>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V12_144.gif Upper Ganges Canal] [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]] 1909, v. 12, p. 138.</ref> Apart from being home various temples and ashrams of various sects, Kankhal also has numerous old ''[[havelis]]'', mansion, now visitors attraction, especially heritage tours. Mostly built in previous century, they are known for their frescoes and haveli architecture, and were built by princely states, and zamindars for their stay in the pilgrimage town during summer months.

==Geography==

Kankhal is located at {{Coord|29.93|N|78.15|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/39/Kankhal.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kankhal]</ref> It has an average elevation of 260 metres (853 feet).

==Important places in Kankhal==
[[File:Daksheshwar Mahadev temple, Kankhal2.JPG|right|thumb|200px|[[Daksheswara Mahadev Temple]], Kankhal]]
[[File:Kankhal-I.gif|thumb|An aerial view of the Ramakrishna Mission Sevasrama, Kankhal]]
[[File:Kankhal-II.jpg|left|thumb|Sri Ramakrishna Temple, RKMS, Kankhal, Haridwar]]
[[File:Dakshayani.jpg|left|thumb|200px| [[Shiva]] carrying the corpse of his consort [[Dakshayani]] (Sati)]]
[[File:Ma Anandamayi Samadhi Mandir, Kankhal, Haridwar.JPG|right|200px|thumb|[[Anandamayi Ma]] Samadhi Mandir, Kankhal, [[Haridwar]]]]
[[File:Kankhal_Shmasan_Ghat.jpg|thumb|right|कनखल श्मशान घाट]]
* '''[[Daksheswara Mahadev Temple]]''' - Kankhal is most known for the ancient temple of Daksheswara Mahadev temple,<ref>[http://www.indiantemples.com/Himalaya/haridwar.html Haridwar]</ref> situated in the south Kankhal town. The present temple was built by Queen Dhankaur in 1810 AD <ref>[http://www.tourism-of-india.com/haridwar.html Places around Haridwar]</ref> and rebuilt in 1962. The mythological story about this place is that King [[Daksha]] [[Prajapati]], the father of [[Dakshayani|Sati]], Lord Shiva 's first wife, performed yagya at this place. Daksha Prajapati did not invite Lord Shiva, and Sati felt insulted. Therefore, she burnt herself in the yagya kund. Shiva burned with anger, sent the terrible demi-god [[Virabhadra|Vīrabhadra]], [[Bhadrakali]] and also his [[gana]]s.<ref name=Vishnu/><ref name=Maha>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12b111.htm the Horse-sacrifice of the Prajapati Daksha] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]] translated by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] (1883 -1896], Book 12: Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section CCLXXXIV. '''p. 317'''. "I am known by the name of [[Virabhadra]]’’ and I have sprung from the wrath of Rudra. This lady (who is my companion), and who is called Bhadrakali, hath sprung from the wrath of the goddess."</ref> On the direction of Shiva, Virabhadra appeared with Shiva's ''[[ganas]]'' in the midst of Daksha's assembly like a storm wind and waged a fierce war on the gods and mortals present culminating in the beheading of Daksha, and later being bestow the head of a goat.<ref>[http://www.indiantemples.com/beliefs/daksha.htm Story of Daksha's sacrifice and Sati-Shakti]</ref> Next to the temple is the 'Daksha Ghat' on the Ganges, and close by is the ''Nileshwar Mahadev Temple''. Much of the details of the famous [[Ashvamedha]] [[Yagna]] ([[Horse sacrifice|Horse Sacrifice]]) of [[Daksha]] are available in the [[Vayu Purana]]<ref name=Vishnu/>
* '''Sati Kund''', another well-known mythological heritage worth visit is situated in the Kankhal region. Legend has it that Sati laid down her life in this kund <ref name=info>[http://www.indiainfoweb.com/uttranchal/kankhal/ Kankhal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122051321/http://www.indiainfoweb.com/uttranchal/kankhal/ |date=22 November 2008 }} www.indiainfoweb.com.</ref> Pilgrims from all over India visit this place and feel blessed.
* '''Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama''' <ref>[http://www.rkmkankhal.org/ Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Kankhal]</ref> - Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Kankhal [ RKMS ], situated in the city of Haridwar [ Uttarakhand ], is a 150-bed multi-specialty charitable hospital founded in 1901 at behest of [[Swami Vivekananda]] to cater to the medical needs of this region. In its long odyssey spanning over a century, it has grown in size, widening the spectrum of services to meet the varied dimensions of health hazards and during this time it has treated more than 10 million patients.RKMS has been instrumental in presenting a road map for bridging the impoverished society – modern treatment methodology and has proved to be the lodestar for the healthcare units. Its altruistic approach of treatment, an umbilical and hence a distinguishing feature from its inception, caught the attention of luminaries like Mahatma Gandhi, * Sir J C Bose etc. who visited this centre. Being the oldest Ashrama ( after Ramakrishna Home of Service, Varanasi) of the Ramakrishna Order, this Sevashrama bears the hallowed memory of several direct disciples of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa. [[Swami Brahmananda]], [[Swami Turiyananda]] and [[Swami Niranjanananda (Niranjan Maharaj)|Swami Niranjanananda]] spent their time in intense spiritual practice in this Ashrama.
* '''Anandamoyi Ma Ashram''' - This quaint ashram was the residence of this Hindu saint [[Sri Anandamoyi Ma]] (1896–1982), and also houses her [[samādhi]] shrine and a museum dedicated to her, in the vicinity.<ref>[http://www.indiayogi.com/content/ashrams/maanand/main.asp Anandamayi ma Ashram]</ref>
* '''Abheda Ganga Mayya Asram'''The ashram is under a trust called Abheda Ganga Mayya Trust. The fFounder of the trust was Bhajananda Swamiji, the main disciple of Swami Abhedananda Maharaj. It is currently headed by Swami Krishnanda.
* '''Dera Baba Dargah Singh ji, Gurudwara''' - Situated near ''Sati Ghat'', this Gurudwara is dedicated to the third Sikh Guru, [[Guru Amar Das]], who visited this place many times during his lifetime,<ref>[http://worldcat.org/wcpa/top3mset/41790460 Itihas Gurudwara Guru Amaradas ji, Kanakhala] Bishan Singh Kreet. Pub. Diyal Siṅgha Niraṅkari, 1950. (Punjabi) Microform. worldcat.org.</ref><ref>[http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf Janamsakhi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324124627/http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf |date=24 March 2012 }} [[Guru Granth Sahib]] p. 1116-1117.</ref> is situated near Sati Ghat in Kankhal; it is managed by the [[Nirmala Sikhs]], a scholarly sect of the Sikhs, who came here in 1705, after evacuating from [[Anandpur Sahib|Anandpur]], Punjab and made it their headquarters <ref>[http://www.sikhcybermuseum.org.uk/People/Nirmalas.htm Nirmala] www.sikhcybermuseum.org.</ref>
* [[Gurukul Kangri Mahavidyalaya|Gurukul Kangri University]] - Situated in Kankhal, on the banks of river Ganges, on Haridwar-Jwalapur bypass road, Gurukul Kangri is one of the oldest Universities of India, founded in 1902 by Swami Shraddhananda (1856–1926), according to the tenets of [[Swami Dayananda Saraswati]], the founder of [[Arya Samaj]]. It was visited by British Trade Union leader [[Charles Freer Andrews]] and British Prime Minister, [[Ramsay MacDonald]],<ref name=guru/> to study the unique [[Gurukul]] based education system. [[Mahatma Gandhi]] visited its campus three times,<ref name=guru>[http://haridwar.nic.in/gurukul.htm Gurukul] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524021145/http://haridwar.nic.in/gurukul.htm |date=24 May 2008 }} Official website of Haridwar.</ref> and stayed in its sprawling and serene campus for extended periods of time, most notably in 1916, when on 20 March, he spoke at Gurukul Anniversary.<ref>[[s:Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life/India 1916|Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life/India 1916]] Wiki Source.</ref>

==Transport==
Kankhal is well connected by road to [[National Highway 58 (India)|National Highway 58]], between [[Delhi]] and Manapass. Nearest railway stations are at [[Jwalapur]] and [[Haridwar]]. The nearest airport is [[Jolly Grant Airport]], [[Dehradun]], though [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] in [[New Delhi]] is preferred.

Its neighbouring towns are [[Jwalapur]], [[Haridwar]], and [[Laksar]].

==See also==

* [[Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Kankhal]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{HinduMythology}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Locations in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Tourism in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Haridwar]]

Kankhal - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 08:16, 14 August 2023