Deoria Tal Uttarakhand
Deoria Tal, also spelled as Devoria Tal, Devaria Tal or Deoriya Tal, is one of the most preferred trekking destinations in Uttarakhand.
Deoria Tal lake is 2,438 meters(8000 ft) above sea level in the Rudraprayag district and is a calm and serene lake, popular for its miraculous reflections of the Chaukhamba mountain range in the crystal clear waters. Deoria is believed to be the lake where the devatas (gods) bathed in ancient times.
At night, the density of stars offered in the sky is so great that it makes you forget everything else.
The snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas such as Chaukhamba, Nilkantha, Bandarpunch, Kedar Range and Kalanag make the backdrop quite surreal in Deoria Tal lake and you can enjoy a panoramic view of 300 °.
In addition to savoring the experience of your lifetime in Deoria Tal, one has a number of places to visit located a short distance from the surreal lake, such as the popular tourist destinations of Chopta and Tungnath (the highest Shiva Temple in the world).
This lake partially freezes in the winter and continues to be a popular hike in the 12 months. If you live in Delhi or in a place closer to Delhi, you can easily plan a trip in less than 3 days.
Why Deoria Tal Trek is Famous
The beauty of this translucent lake attracts many visitors to weave nostalgic memories here. Since Deoria Tal falls under the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary, early in the morning you can spot some animals that quench their thirst from this lake.
This beautiful lake offers a splendid panorama of the majestic peaks of Chaukhamba, Neelkantha, Bandarpunch, Kedar and the Kalanag peaks.
At Deoria Tal lake one can encounter the best of two worlds, the first is the real world and the other is a reflection of the beautiful surroundings of the lake. Deoria Tal is famous among tourists such as trekking, lake, camping, bird watching, mythological importance, yoga, meditation.
The lake is located in the middle of a lush green sloping field surrounded by dense trees. Deoria Tal serves as a popular trekking destination in the region due to its easy access and relaxing scenic beauty. Deoria Tal is located in the sanctuary of musk deer Kedarnath.
If you are lucky, you can see animals drinking water from the lake early in the morning. thus, it is recommended to spend the night in Deoria Tal.
Mythology
Deoria Tal is known as the lake from where Yakshya asked Pandavas questions about life. As per local belief, Devas (gods) used to bathe in this lake, and hence the name. It is also believed that the lake is the “Indra Sarovar” mentioned in the Puranas by the wandering Hindu beggars, Sadhus.
The lake is also believed, when the Pandavs were in the Vanvas (banishment), their fillings were empty, Yudhisthra tells Bhima to look for a place where they could bring water.
Sahadev went and tried to drink the water. At that time, Yakshya stopped Sahadeva and asked him to answer his questions, which Sahadeva denied and died the moment he tried to swallow water. The same happened to Nakula, Arjuna, and Bhima respectively.
Finally, when Yudhisthira arrived, he answered all of Yakshya’s questions before drinking the water. Happy with Yudhisthira, Yakshya asked Yudhisthira to choose one of his brothers to be alive and Yudhisthira chooses Nakula.
To the bafflement of Yakshyas, Yudhisthira replied that although Bhima is the strongest and Arjuna the best at the arrow shooting, he would choose Nakula to do just for his second (stepmother) mother Madri. Happy with the answer, Yakshya gives life to the four Pandavas who were dead on the shore of the lake.
Lake Deoria maintains its purity and amazing beauty till date.
Why Visit Deoria Tal
Visiting Deoria Tal will provide you with a really rejuvenating experience. Once the continuously ascending trek with stones begins, you will be surrounded by a birds-eye view of the Sari village down below, the mighty Chandrashila above and many folds of mountains that lead to infinity.
Also Read: Munsiyari an unexplored destinationIn less than 2 hours, you reach the beautiful meadows of Deoria Tal, with the snow-covered Chaukhamba. The best part is that you can also do this trip during the peak winters; when the whole lake is frozen and has a lot of snow around it.
If you like tourist destinations like Shimla and Manali, then Deoria Tal is not really for you. There is nothing here really. It is a beautiful small lake sitting in the woods in the middle of nowhere.
So visit here only if you want to camp, easy walk through the forest, make bonfires at night, there is no other sound than those in the forest and visit an offbeat destination is your thing.
Where is Deoria Tal Located
Deoria Tal is located at a trekking distance of about 3 km from the Sari village in the Chopta region and is comes under the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.
The total distance from Delhi is about 415 kilometers, while it is about 200 kilometers from Rishikesh. Sari Village is located around 13 km ahead of Ukhimath.
Whom is the trek meant for
Deoria Tal is primarily for beginners who want an introduction to trekking in the Himalayas. It is also for experienced trekkers who wish to go on a leisurely trek. Children from 7 years old can do this trek and also people over 60 years of age as long as they are fit.
The Deoria Tal trek with Chandrashila Trek has components of every great Himalayan trek. From mixed forests with oaks and rhododendrons to meadows, a glacial lake, breathtaking mountain views.
Also read: Tehri Garhwal Uttarakhand – Travel Guide
How to Reach Deoria Tal
By Air
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the closest airport to Deoriatal, about 209 km from the place. After arriving at the airport, you must continue the rest of the road trip. At the airport, you can board a taxi to Sari Village and then 3 km trek to reach Deoria Tal.
By Rail
The closest railway station from Deoriatal is the Haridwar railway station, which is about 218 km from the place. Once you reach in Haridwar, you can hire a taxi from there to Sari village. From Sari village, you need to cover the distance of 3 km of trekking to reach your destination.
By Road
The place is very well connected with other states of northern India through motorable roads. You can hire a taxi or drive to Sari Village to reach here. Once you arrive at Sari Village, there is a 3 km trek to reach Deoria Tal.
The complete route is mentioned below:
Delhi – Haridwar (212 KMs) – Rishikesh – Dev Prayag – Srinagar – Rudra Prayag (take left towards Kedarnath)(384 km) – Agustmuni – Syal Saur – Kund – Ukhimath – Sari Village (415 KMs) – Deoria Tal
One needs to drive around 12 KM to Sari Village from Ukhimath and from Sari Village one can reach Deoria Tal by a trekking route of 3 km approx. The trek is a paved path from Sari Village to Deoria Tal, although it is quite steep in some places.
There are many rest homes or shelters on the trek with benches to rest and catch your breath. Normally, it will take around 60-90 minutes to trek to Deoria Tal and if you have good stamina, you can even complete it in 40-50 minutes. Anyway, the descent is quite fast for everyone.
By Bus
There is no direct bus/taxi service to get to Sari. You have to break your trip, either in Rudraprayag or Ukhimath. The road is motorable to Sari, 10 km from Ukhimath and from there you have to trek to reach Deoria Tal.
There are regular bus services from Delhi to Haridwar / Rishikesh, from Delhi ISBT Kashmere Gate. Early in the morning, there are buses available in Haridwar to reach Ukhimath. From Ukhimath you can hire a taxi to reach Sari village.
Road Conditions
In general the road conditions are not so bad. Between Devprayag and Srinagar, the road is quite dusty and in some places it is in bad shape. It improves slightly after Srinagar and even Rudraprayag with few bad sections.
After Rudraprayag, the road condition improves even more up to Agastamuni. You can navigate as you want after Agastamuni since the roads are in better shape to Chopta.
Preferred Vehicle
Almost any vehicle (car / bike) in perfect running condition can take you to Chopta from where the trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila begins.
Weather in Deoria Tal
Summer
From April to June are the summer months here. During this time, one can enjoy the rich ambiance of the lake and have a really good time here. The temperature during this time varies between 15°C and 25°C during the summer and the weather remains quite cold due to the high altitude.
Monsoon
The monsoon season is not for the excursion to Deoria Tal. From July to September, the place witnesses heavy rains and this makes trekking and other activities difficult here. The chances of landslides and roadblocks also increase during the monsoon season in the state of Uttarakhand.
Winter
The month of October is the beginning of the winter season in Deoria Tal and lasts until March. Moreover, the temperature during these months remains between 0°C and 10°C. Winters in Deoria Tal are extremely cold, with possibilities of frequent snowfall. It is advisable to take heavy woolen clothes.
Best Time to Visit Deoria Tal
The best time to visit Deoria Tal will really depend on what your preference is. For instance, if you wanted to see a half-frozen lake with snow around, then the months of January and February would be the best. Snow on the ground would be more in February.
However, remember that the temperature at this time will be really low, close to 0 degrees. You will camp in the snow and there will also be a great chance that you can catch a live snowfall. Trekking at this time to the lake will mean that you must be well prepared to walk in the snow.
From April to June it can be considered a good time to visit here. There will be no snow, but you will have fun hiking and camping. The weather at this time is pleasant with moderately warm days. The nights will remain cold but not too much.
The monsoon months, July and August that will be, is not a good time to visit here. This entire area is prone to landslides and the rains really wreak havoc here. Trekking and camping at this time will be very difficult.
September is probably the best time to visit. The monsoon will be gone, but the views and valleys would still be full of colors. When October arrives, things would get cold and dull again. If you want to see the orange of autumn,
October can be a good time. The months of November and December will really be a bad time with cold weather, without snow and really damp and dry landscapes.
Things To Do In Deoria Tal
One of the first things you can enjoy walking in the mountain peaks, with lush green forests and fascinating serene beauty of Deoria Tal. Sari Village is the last village one finds before the trek to Deoria Tal begins.
You can walk around the village and learn about their way of life, customs and culture. The people are warm and welcoming.
In Deoria Tal there is a night camp, and night photography of stars is must do things. October to June is the best time for night photography, as the weather is clear at night during this month.
If you plan your trip for 2-3 more days to hypnotize the serene beauty and adventure of the valley, then Deoria Tal to Tungnath / Chandrashila trek through Rohini Bugyal is another of the most exciting things to do from Deoria Tal lake.
Trekking from Deoria Tal and Chandrashila trek:
Deoria Tal Chandrashila Trek with Chopta is a short trek to the most fascinating peaks of the Garhwal district.
The trail that leads to Chopta is wrapped in lush green meadows nestled in the lap of the Himalayas. This trail leads to the Tungnath temple, which is considered the highest Shiva shrine in the world.
In addition to the exotic flora and fauna captured along the way, one can also feast his eyes with views of several majestic peaks, namely the Bandarpoonch, Kedar and Chaukhamba. After one kilometer and a half trek from Tungnath, it reaches the top of Chandrashila peak at about (13000 ft).
Climbing to the Chandrashila summit is the most important highlight that is ready with views of the west and east of Uttarakhand and from the top, you will feel very blessed.
Nearby Tourist Places from Deoria Tal
Chandrashila Trek
The Chandrashila summit stands out among the most beloved goals of trekking fans in India. Trekkers outside of India also come to Chandrashila for extraordinary trekking in the last spring months.
Only 1.5 km from Tungnath. Chandrashila is the hillside that houses the Tungnath shrine. The Chandrashila ridge, 4000 meters (13000 ft) above sea level, offers a wide variety of routes, an opportunity for trekkers.
Tungnath Temple
The Tungnath temple, one of Panch Kedar’s five trips and the most amazing elevation temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is arranged on the lap of the Chandrashila ridge in the Chamoli area of DevBhoomi Uttarakhand 3,680 meters (12000 ft) above sea level having religious centrality.
The Tungnath shrine is one of the most prominent among India’s travels.
Chopta
Chopta is a small serene town blessed with the unspoiled beauty of nature. Perched at an altitude of 2900 m above sea level, this place serves as a base for trekking to Tungnath, the third sanctuary of Panch Kedar, which lies 3.5 kilometers (2.2 mi) away.
Located at a separation of 1.5 kilometers (0.93 mi) from Tungnath is Chandrashila, an ascending to more than 4,000 meters (13,000 ft).
Read more: Chopta Ukhimath – Detailed Travel Guide & Itinerary
Deoria Tal Accommodation
Due to its pristine nature, camping is allowed in Deoria Tal under the supervision of forestry officials. Apart from that, there is a forest rest house available to stay in Deoria Tal. In Deoria Tal hotels are not available.
You can trek 2 km downhill to the village of Saari to find accommodation. Few budget guesthouses with limited services are available. This is the closest you will be to the lake. The nearby towns of Ukhimath and Chopta also have some hotels, but they are within walking distance of Deoria Tal.
I would suggest camp on the lake or stay in the Sari village.
Where to Eat in Deoria Tal
There are small shops located about 100 meters from the lake where food is prepared and served. The shops have limited food items and the menu, so you’ll have to settle for what’s available. You can also eat in the town of Saari, where there are local food stores and restaurants available. Packaged foods can also be taken to Deoriatal.
Phone Signals at Deoria Tal, Sari, Chopta
Phone facilities and electricity are not available at Deoria Tal. The mobile signals for Airtel and Vodafone were not much in Deoria Tal, but BSNL and IDEA worked well. You may find a little poor connectivity in Deoria Tal.
ATMs near Deoria Tal, Sari, Chopta
ATM in Ukhimath is the closest to Deoria Tal. There are PNB and SBI only two ATMs in Ukhimath.
Special Notes
- There are many people who visit this lovely place just to drink and it is because of the irresponsible acts of these people, the lack of concern of the forest department and short-sightedness of the locals operating tourist lodges and camps in Deoria Tal forest is littered with plastic bottles, emptied bags of chips and snacks. Please ensure we do not spoil this gorgeous place by such irresponsible acts.
- Make sure to bring warm clothes regardless of the fact in which season you are traveling.
- Do not encourage trekking at night; This could lead to an unforeseen disaster.
- Always carry a power bank to recharge your electronic device. Since then, there is no electricity up there in Deoria Tal.
- Forest officials do not allow the bonfire but can do so, with the permission of the guides, locals about 100 meters from the lake.
- Make sure you carry enough water before starting the trek and stay hydrated.
- Never take any medication without consulting the trekking guides.
