Exploring Devprayag Uttarakhand

It was getting very mundane, and I could not sit at home anymore in Gurgaon, so I decided to immediately pack my luggage and catch a bus to Haridwar directly after office. It was the onset of winter—comfortable weather—though I was already suffering from a cold. Still, I couldn’t resist the idea of seeing the Ganga twisting and turning through mountains and valleys.  

I started around 6 PM and reached Haridwar a little after 12 AM. Though it was my third trip to Haridwar, this time I faced difficulty booking a hotel room as single travelers were restricted due to security reasons.  

After a tight sleep, the first thing I did after getting ready early in the morning was rent an Activa scooter. Bullets were available for ₹1,000, but I chose the Activa for ₹600 since I’m more comfortable with it. I planned a long road trip to Devprayag (90 km away), where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to form the Ganga. The rental agency charged an extra ₹1,000 as a refundable security deposit. Before hopping on the Activa, I filmed it thoroughly as proof in case the dealer accused me of damage later—a lesson learned from my last trip. They provide very little fuel, so I filled the tank before heading to Devprayag.  

Devprayag, one of the five sacred confluences (Panch Prayag) in Uttarakhand, is where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi merge to form the holy Ganga. This pilgrimage circuit is believed to purify the soul and help achieve moksha.  

Haridwar to Rishikesh is well-connected by a bypass highway, but I chose the scenic route through Rajaji National Park, passing Chila Dam and Shivpuri. I wanted to stop for photos, but boards warned against getting off the vehicle due to wild animals, and I was already late. Along the way, you can visit Laxman Jhula and Neelkanth Mandir, but I skipped them, eager to reach the sangam. The views of rafters cheering and bungee towers in Shivpuri kept me entertained.  

After another hour, I reached the sangam. The view from above was breathtaking—I stood there for minutes, snapping photos and wishing I had a drone. Tired, I ate at a roadside stall and asked locals for directions down to the rivers.  

The sight of the two rivers meeting was mesmerizing. The Alaknanda flowed calm and muddy brown, while the Bhagirathi raged clean and emerald green. Together, they felt beautiful yet intimidating.  

I learned this is where Lord Ram meditated to rid himself of a curse after killing Ravan. Bathing here is said to cure diseases. Though I’m a man of science, standing on “Maa Ganga’s” land stirred something divine in me.  

I wanted to bathe but feared theft. Luckily, a boy my age had the same worry. We teamed up: one guarded bags while the other bathed. The water was freezing! We filmed each other for social media and met locals who lasted longer in the ice-cold water—tough guys!  

After changing, I prayed at the cave (where priests accept UPI donations!) and took spiritual selfies. My new friend and I swapped photos and numbers before he left for Shivpuri’s adventure sports. I ate daal chawal (rice and lentil soup) and sabzi roti (vegetables and bread) at a quiet dhaba, then rode 2 km to a serene Shiv Mandir by the Alaknanda. Google Maps helped me find it, and I spent peaceful moments there.  

Returning to Haridwar after dark, I followed vehicles to navigate safely. I returned the Activa, got my deposit back, and walked to Harki Paudi. The ghat glowed with colorful lights—a place I’d first visited years ago for my grandmother’s rituals.  

Lessons Learned:

1. Walk Harki Paudi at night.  

2. Stay at least 2 days.  

3. Take the Rajaji National Park route.  

4. Rent a bike or disc-brake scooter for mountain roads.  

5. Film rented vehicles before riding.  

6. Plan petrol stops—pumps are scarce.  

7. Stay in your lane on mountain roads.  

8. Carry extra clothes for Ganga dips.  

Though short, this trip was unforgettable—the icy bath, the rivers’ contrast, and the quiet temple. Next time, I’ll explore more prayags. Devprayag blurred my science-rooted logic with faith, and that's magic.