An important ancient and holy city south of Rishikesh, Hardiwar enjoys a picturesque position on the banks of the River Ganges in North India's Uttarakhand state. After its 253 kilometre journey from its source at the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas, Haridwar is the first town to meet the sacred river after its mountainous course. The town bustles with locals and renunciants who perform ritualistic bathing in the icy, fast-flowing waters to wash away their sins. The famous Har-ki-Pairi Ghat is a religious hub, where every evening, a sea of floating candles and flowers are sent down the river as Hindu prayer offerings. Due to its significance as a Hindi pilgrimage site, worshipers from far and wide flock to the city during major festivals, including the annual Kanwar Mela.