Friday, April 22, 2011

How to reach Devprayag, Uttarakhand, India

From Delhi, you can take very comfortable train, called Shatabdi to Haridwar, or a fast bus or a taxi. About 10 trains run between Delhi, Punjab and other towns. Saharanpur or Roorkee are the major towns before you reach Haridwar.
Nearest airport Jolly Grant is 90 kms away at Dehradun.


Haridwar-(20 mts to) Rishikesh-Shivpuri-Kaudiayala-Deoprayag. One can also go to Dehradun, the state capital-Haridwar-Rishikesh-Deoprayag. Local buses ply every hour during off-peak or every 20 mts or so in a peak season from Rishikesh (distance 70kms) and charge R 65 one way for about a two and half hour journey; while taxi charges R80.


Never ride a taxi in back seat if you do not have a strong stomach. Vomiting is quite common for the bus riders, very few say sorry if they puke on you. Midway food stop for most of the transporters between Rishikesh and Devprayag is a big 'dhaba' town -Saat Dhara. Eat at a very fresh food and hygienic place Hotel Ganpati operated by a young man Alok.


If you are worried about water-borne diseases, buy bottled water for R15. Locals use river Ganga water for drinking with lot of respect and presume to be pure while at the same time throwing lot of garbage into the holy river; or, they may be using handpump drawn.


Do not worry about your luggage on the bus being stolen or pocket picked, people are honest and simple. Eve teasers can only be found among the travellers or devotee-visitors, locals are gentleman.


Paratha with lentil is the best breakfast. It costs about R20 to 35 for two. Most dishes cost about R35 while flat bread costs R4 and tea R7. In the night, do not walk on the roads without a torch otherwise you may end up as dinner for leopard (guldaar).

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