Haridwar (pop. 175,010) is a city in western Uttaranchal state in India, where the Ganges (Ganga) River enters the North India Plains. It is one of the holiest places of pilgrimage for Hindus. The name Haridwar means gate to Hari. Hari is one of the names of the god Vishnu. Haridwar's main sacred site is the bathing ghat (steps) called Har-ki-Pauri (footprint of Hari). Many pilgrims come to Haridwar to bathe in the Ganges on the first day of the Hindu solar year, which usually falls in April.