Hariyali Devi Temple

Hariyali Devi Temple Jasoli Village Rudraprayag

Hariyali Devi Temple is an ancient temple located in Jasoli Village which lies in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is one of the 58 Siddhi Peeths of India. The temple is located in the Jasoli village which is at a distance of approx 25 Km from Nagrasu. It is situated at an altitude of 1400 meters from sea level. The route to this temple starts from the Nagrasu village of Rudraprayag which is approximately 25 Km from Nagrasu and the alternate route to reach Hariyali Devi Temple is from Gholtir village which is a nearby village of Nagrasu. You can choose any route to reach Hariyali Devi temple.

Hariyali Devi Temple contains an idol of the goddess devi on a lion’s back, along with idols of Kshatrapal and Heet Devi. It is believed that when Mahamaya was conceived as the 7th child of Devaki, Kansa threw her fiercely to the ground and her body was shattered into many parts, scattered across the world. The hand of Mahamaya is said to have fallen at Hariyali Kantha.

Hariyali Kantha is a mountain peak that is approximately 3 Km away from the Jasoli village, where the original temple of Hariyali Devi is located. Every year, a 2 days holy Yatra is organized during the Diwali festival.

See the beautiful aerial views of Jasoli Village and Hariyali Devi Temple

Hariyali Devi Temple(Jasoli Village) Rudraprayag

Mythology of Hariyali Devi

According to Hindu Mythology, when Mahamaya was born the 7th child of Devaki Mata and Vasudeva, Kansa tried to Kill Mahamaya by slamming her to the ground. As soon as Kansa threw Mahamaya devi on the ground, the pieces of her body were scattered all over the earth. It is believed that Mahamaya Devi’s hand fell in a village which is Jasoli village in the Dandakhal area of Rudraprayag district, hence this place is considered to be one of the 58 Siddhapeeths of India. Later Hariyali Devi temple was constructed in this village, the main temple is at the top of the hill.

Hariyali Devi Temple Overview

Religion –Hinduism

Location – Jasoli Village, Dandakhal, Rudraprayag

Dedicated to – Devi Mahamaya

District – Rudraprayag

State – Uttarakhand

Country – India

Best time to visit Hariyali Devi – During Diwali is the best time to visit Hariyali Devi temple and join the sacred Yatra to Hariyali Kantha

How to reach Hariyali Devi Temple

By Air – The nearest Airport to Hariyali Devi is Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun from Dehradun you can take a helicopter to Gauchar and then the rest of the journey can be completed only via road route.

By Train – The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, but within a few years the Nearest railway station will be at Nagrasu After the completion of the Rishikesh – Karnaprayag railway line project, But for the time being, you can reach only up to Rishikesh railway station and rest of the journey can be completed only via road network.

By Road – Hariyali Devi temple is well-connected with the National Highway 7 and other state highways of Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. You can take shared cabs from Rudraprayag to Jasoli, Hariyali Devi.

Haldwani

Places to visit in Haldwani

Haldwani City is one of the most developed and oldest cities of Uttarakhand. The journey is the real delight and not the destination, which is true. Haldwani town in Uttarakhand is the gateway to the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand state. There are plenty of places to visit nearby Haldwani which we will see in this article. So let’s see the finest places to visit in Haldwani Uttarakhand.

Finest places to visit in Haldwani

There are some best weekend destinations in Haldwani where you can visit with your friends, family, or loved ones. These places are one or two days trips. Haldwani is one of the hidden paradises of the Kumaon region. Below are the places where you can visit and see the beauty of nature.

1 – Kilbury

Kilbury is a famous bird-watching location on the route to Nainital. This place is developed as a picnic spot in Nainital, if you love bird watching or wildlife photography then this place is heaven for you. There are hundreds of different types of bird species you can watch at Kilbury. If you are in Haldwani or going to Nainital you must stay for some time at Kilbury and explore the bird species and photograph them.

2 – Khurpa Tal Lake

Khurpa Tal is a mesmerizing small green water lake nearby Haldwani. This lake is situated at a distance of 11 Km from Nainital city. Khurpa Lake is perched at an elevation of 1600 meters from sea level. If you are in Haldwani then this lake is a must to visit location.

3 – Kaladhungi

Kaladhungi is another beautiful town located at the foothills of the great Himalayas at an elevation of 500 meters in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand nearby Haldwani. This beautiful town is surrounded by forests and with river boar flowing alongside it. It is a peaceful and beautiful town and is ideal for a summer destination.

4 – Corbett Falls

Corbett Falls is a beautiful waterfall nearby Haldwani. This beautiful fall is located at a distance of 25 Km from Ramnagar. It is developed as a tourist place by Uttarakhand tourism, surrounded by dense teak wood forest which extends its natural beauty. The sound of the waterfall makes it a destination.

5 – Jeolikot

It is an untouched small town in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand and is also known as the gateway to Naini Lake. Jeolikot is located in NH087 and it is well-connected by motorable roads and is located at a distance of 17 Km before Nainital city.

6 – Bhimtal

This lake city is named after Bhima the mythological character of Mahabharata. This lake has had historic importance since the age of Mahabharata, known for its aesthetic beauty. The lake is situated at an altitude of 1370 meters above sea level.

7 – Nainital

Nainital City is also known as the lake city of Uttarakhand because of the beautiful Nainital Lake. Nainital is one of the most popular and beautiful tourist places in Uttarakhand and the honeymoon destination of Uttarakhand. Nainital is the true treasure of Kumaon and it is the most popular and visited hill station of Uttarakhand and North India.

8 – Naukuchiatal

It is a group of nine cornered lakes, situated at an elevation of 1220 meters above sea level in the Nainital district. The lake is approx 1 Km long and 40 meters in depth. Naukuchiatal Lake is one of the best places to visit in Nainital and nearby Haldwani.

main market karnaprayag

How to reach Karnaprayag Chamoli

Karnaprayag is a holy town located on the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Pinder in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. This place has historic importance and a connection with the Mahabharata era. If you are planning to visit Karnaprayag and don’t know how to reach Karnaprayag then in this article we provide the complete travel guide to Karnaprayag so that you can reach Karnaprayag easily without any problem. So let’s get started. Firstly we will know some basic information about Karnaprayag like its location, geography, etc.

Location of Karnaprayag

Karnaprayag is located on NH 7 Badrinath Highway, Chamoli. Karnaprayag is the second entrance town of Chamoli district after Gauchar. If you are planning to visit Badrinath then Karnaprayag is one of the most important towns to stay. Karnapryag town itself is one of the blocks of Chamoli district.

By Road

Karnaprayag is well-connected with all the national and state highways of Uttarakhand and connected with all the districts via road network. You can take a direct bus from Delhi to Karnaprayag or from Haridwar, Dehradun, Rishikesh, or Haldwani. Also, you can take a sharable cab from Dehradun to Karnaprayag or Dehradun to Karnaprayag, Haridwar to Karnaprayag. Karnaprayag connects Garhwal and Kumaon regions by NH-87.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Karnaprayag is Rishikesh for the time being. But after the completion of the Rishikesh – Karnaprayag railway project, you will be able to reach Karnaprayag directly via train. We will update the information after the completion of the project.

By Air

The nearest airport to Karnaprayag is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun and the nearest helipad is in Gauchar which is just 10 Km away. From Dehradun, you can take a helicopter to Gauchar from Dehradun and then travel via cab from Gauchar to Karnaprayag. Gauchar to Karnaprayag distance is only 10 Km.

So this was the complete informational guide on how to reach Karnaprayag via different modes of transport.

Road route from Delhi to Karnaprayag

Delhi – Meerut – HaridwarRishikeshRudraprayagKarnaprayag

Road Route Via Haldwani Ranikhet (Kumaon Region):

Haldwani – Ranikhet – Karnaprayag

Distance Charts:
LocationDistance
Karnaprayag to New Delhi402 KM / 14 hrs.
Karnaprayag to Chandigarh678 KM/16 hrs
Karnaprayag to Haridwar193 KM /5 hrs.

You can book the Uttarakhand Roadways bus from Delhi to Karnaprayag, Srinagar Garhwal, Gopeshwar etc directly online or take it offline. For online bookings of Uttarakhand Roadways buses visit – utconline.uk.gov.in which is the official website of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation.

Places to visit nearby Karnaprayag

There are plenty of historic places to visit nearby Karnaprayag where you can go. Some of the places are listed below.

1 – Karna Temple Karnaprayag

2 – Karnaprayag Sangam

3 – Chandpur Garhi

4 – Simli

5 – Adibadri Temple

Hope this guide will help you reach Karnaprayag easily without any problems. If you need a travel guide to any destination in Uttarakhand, feel free to contact us. We have a local tour and travel guides for any destination in Uttarakhand because they are local people from that particular area, so they know deeply about everything. No other tour guide will have such knowledge.

Chaukhamba Peaks

Chaukhamba Peaks

Chaukhamba Peak is a group of 4 mountain peaks in the Himalayan range. It is one of the famous peaks of Uttarakhand. Chaukhamba is a mountain massif in the Gangotri group of the Garhwal Himalayas. This peak is located west of the Badrinath Dham and Chaukhamba has four summits, along a northeast-southwest trending ridge and ranging in elevation from 7138 meters. Which is 23,419 feet. Mana pass is the key col for Chaukhamba 1.

  • Chaukhamba 1 – 7,138 meters(23,419 ft)
  • Chaukhamba 2 – 7,070 meters(23,196 feet)
  • Chaukhamba 3 – 6,995 meters(22,949 feet)
  • Chaukhamba 4 – 6,854 meters(22,487 feet)

History of Chaukhamba

The first unsuccessful attempt was done in the year 1938 and 1939. Lucien George and Victor Russenberger climbed Chaukhamba for the first time on 13 June 1952. They ascended the north face from the Bhagirathi – Kharak Glacier.

Climbing routes to Chaukhamba

  • Northeast face via Bhagirathi-Kharak Glacier
  • West face
  • Northwest ridge
  • Southwest face

How to reach Chaukhamba

The trek to Chaukhamba starts from the holy town of Badrinath which is in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. To be exact, the actual trek starts from Mana village.

By road

Mana Village is well-connected to national highway 7 and other state highways. You can easily reach Mana from the major cities of Uttarakhand like – Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, or Delhi. One can easily reach these cities from outside of Uttarakhand and then take a bus or shared taxi to Badrinath.

By train

Badrinath town is not connected with the rail network, the nearest railway station is in Rishikesh. But after a few years, the nearest railway station will be in Karnaprayag after the completion of the project Rishikesh – Karnaprayag railway project. You can take the train to Haridwar from any major railway station in India and then to Rishikesh and for the rest of the journey, you will have to travel by road which is the only option.

By Air

The nearest airport to Badrinath is Jolly Grant, from there you can take a bus or cab to reach Badrinath. Or you can take a helicopter to Gauchar from Dehradun and from Gauchar to Badrinath you can take a bus or cab.

How to reach Pauri Garhwal

How to reach Pauri Garhwal Uttarakhand

Pauri is one of the most visited hill stations in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. This place attracts thousands of tourists and devotees. Pauri in itself is a district of Uttarakhand and Kotdwara is the biggest and most popular town of Pauri Garhwal. Pauri is a popular summer destination because during summers this place remains cold like some other hill stations of Uttarakhand, such as Auli, Munsiyari, Nainital, Mussoorie, etc. If you are planning to visit Pauri and want to know how to reach Pauri Garhwal then below we explained all the details about the journey. Pauri is well-connected with most of the important towns and cities of Uttarakhand with road and railway networks.

This article will guide you on how you can reach Pauri via different routes and modes of transport. Hope this pauri travel guide will help you properly.

By Road

Pauri District is well-connected with the road network. Tehri – Moradabad state highway connects the major cities of Pauri district like Kotdwar, Lansdowne, Pauri, Srinagar Garhwal, etc. You can take a direct bus from most of the major cities and towns of Uttarakhand or from ISBT Kashmiri Gate, to Delhi. Pauri is connected with all the major cities of Uttarakhand like Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal, Srinagar Garhwal, Almora etc.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Pauri is Kotdwara which is one of the oldest railway stations in Uttarakhand. Kotdwar railway station is approx 108 Km away from the main Pauri town. Trains are frequent from other major cities of India. After reaching Kotdwar you can take a direct cab or bus to Pauri.

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to the Pauri district, which is located approx 155 Km away from Pauri. Frequent flights are available from Delhi to Dehradun and from other major airports in India. After reaching Jolly Grant, you can take a cab or bus to Pauri. Also, you can take a helicopter from Sahastradhara to Srinagar Garhwal and then from Srinagar take a direct sharable taxi or Bus to Pauri.

If you are searching for a cab from Dehradun to Srinagar Garhwal then you can book a sharable cab with Garhwali Traveller Cab Network.

Hope this article was useful for you if you are planning to visit Pauri Garhwal then you can choose any mode of transport as per your need and budget. By road is the cheapest and easy option to reach Pauri.

How to reach Tehri

How to reach New Tehri

Tehri famous for the highest dam in India. This city has historic importance and one of the oldest cities of Garhwal region. Tehri is well connected with all the most important towns and cities of Uttarakhand. You can easily reach Tehri via road and helicopter directly from Dehradun. Below is the detailed guide on how to reach New Tehri by road, train or flight.

How to reach Tehri

By Road

New Tehri is well connected by national and state highways with major destinations of Uttarakhand and other northern states of India such as Uttarpradesh, Harayana, Punjab and New Delhi. You can take direct bus from ISBT Kashmiri Gate New Delhi to Tehri. Also buses and cabs are easily available from Dehradun, Haridwar, Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar garhwal, Uttarkashi.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Tehri Garhwal is situated in Rishikesh. Rishikesh railway station is well connected with the major railway stations of India. Trains to Rishikesh are frequent. After reaching Rishikesh the rest of the journey to Tehri you have to complete by the road network. Taxis and buses are easily available from Rishikesh to Tehri.

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest Airport to Tehri which is 91 Km from New Tehri. You can book helicopter from Dehradun to New Tehri from Sahastradhara helipad. Heli service is available for 3 days a weak. Heli service to Tehri Garhwal from Dehradun is the easiest way to reach Tehri. If you are traveling from flight to Dehradun then you can take helicopter from Dehradun to New Tehri or take a cab to New Tehri from Dehradun.

So this was the complete information about how to reach New Tehri by different modes of transport. Below is the distance chart to reach New Tehri from different locations of Uttarakhand and outside of Uttarakhand.

New Tehri Distance Chart

Road distance and travel time from/to New Tehri from/ to various cities within or outside of Uttarakhand – New Tehri Distance Chart

You can also book a cab from/ to New Tehri with Garhwali Traveller cab service.

How to reach Mukteshwar

How to reach Mukteshwar by Road Air or Train

Mukteshwar is a popular hill station famous for its beautiful panoramic views of the majestic great Himalayan range. You see the mesmerizing view of Nanda Devi Peak, Chaukhamba and other peaks here. Also, there are lots of adventure activities to do like rock climbing, rappelling, hiking and many more. So if you love adventure sports activity then Mukteshwar is a recommended hill station. So if you are already planning to visit and don’t know the proper route to reach Mukteshwar then below is the complete information about the route.

Mukteshwar Hill station is well-connected with most of the important cities and towns of Uttarakhand. For a more fun and adventurous journey, you can go with your personal vehicle to make your Mukteshwar journey memorable. Public transport is also a good choice to save some money and a little contribution towards nature to save Mother Earth. Also, you can spend that money on other activities and shopping at the destination.

Location of Mukteshwar Hill Station

Mukteshwar hill station is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India. This place is located at an altitude of 2171 meters(7500 feet) above sea level. The distance between Nainital and Mukteshwar is 51 Km, 72 Km from Haldwani and 343 Km from Delhi, India.

How to reach Mukteshwar

By Road

Mukteshwar is well-connected with the state and national highways of Uttarakhand. It is connected with all the major cities and towns of Northern India. You can get a direct bus from ISBT Anand Vihar to Nainital, Almora, Haldwani and Mukteshwar. Taxis are available from Delhi to Haldwani, Almora and Mukteshwar. If you want luxury bus service then many private bus service providers operate between Delhi to Kathgodam and Nainital from where you can easily get a taxi or bus to Mukteshwar. By road is the cheapest, hassle-free but time-consuming way to reach Mukteshwar.

By Air

The nearest airport to Mukteshwar is Pantnagar which is located at a distance of 94 Km from Mukteshwar. Cabs are easily available from Pantnagar Airport to Mukteshwar. Or you can book a cab to Mukteshwar via Garhwali Traveller cab service at a very reasonable price. Pantnagar Airport is well-connected with some major interstate Airports in India. From Delhi, there are a total of 4 flights every week.

By Train

Kathgodam is the closest railway station to Mukteshwar which is at a distance of 62 km from Mukteshwar. Kathgodam railway station is connected with other major railway stations in India such as Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi, etc. 2 trains daily run between Delhi to Kathgodam and Kathgodam to Delhi. Trains are frequent between Delhi and Kathgodam because it is the gateway to the Kumaon region. From here you can take a local or state-run bus or taxi to reach Mukteshwar and the minimum fare is 70 – 100 INR depending on what kind of ride is chosen. Bus fare is cheaper than taxi to same some money take the bus.

Mukteshwar Distance Chart

Road distances and travel time to/from Mukteshwar from/to various cities within or outside of Uttarakhand – Mukteshwar Distance Chart

You can also hire a cab to Mukteshwar at reasonable prices. Book a cab to Mukteshwar with the Garhwali Traveller cab network.

How to reach Mukteshwar from Delhi

If you are from Delhi or reached to delhi from any part of India or the world and now you don’t know the proper roadmap to reach Mukteshwar from Delhi. Then you can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Mukteshwar. Or you can take a train from Delhi to Kathgodam and then the further journey will be completed via bus or cab again. Because the closest railway station to Mukteshwar is Kathgodam.

How to reach Mukteshwar from Nainital

To reach Mukteshwar from Nainital Uttarakhand, take a bus or taxi. The total distance between Nainital and Mukteshwar is approximately 45 Km which is like a 1 and half hour journey.

How to reach Binsar

How to reach Binsar

Binsar Hill station is well-connected with all the important towns and districts of Uttarakhand. If you are planning to visit Binsar wildlife sanctuary then in this article we are going to discuss how to reach Binsar by road, train, or flight. Binsar is not a popular tourist destination but yes a decent number of tourists visit Binsar wildlife sanctuary.

Location of Binsar

Binsar is located in the Almora district of Uttarakhand at a distance of 380 Km from Delhi and 95 Km from Nainital district.

How to reach Binsar

By Road

The easiest and most cost-effective way to reach Binsar is via road. Binsar is well-connected by roads with all the major cities and towns of the Kumaon region, as well as the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. You can get a bus from ISBT Anand Vihar to Haldwani, Nainital and Almora directly. From Almora, you can take local sharable vehicles to reach Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, or you can travel directly in your personal vehicle. If you are traveling by your own vehicle, then you will have to pay Rs. 50 as an entry ticket. The road conditions in the Kumaon region is very good, but as Almora is a hilly district, so you may face landslide and roadblock problem during the monsoon season.

By Train

Kathgodam is the nearest railway station to Binsar which is located at a distance of 119 Km away. Kathgodam city is well-connected with the major railway stations of India like Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi, etc. There are 2 trains that run daily between Delhi and Kathgodam. Trains are frequent to Kathgodam because it is the gateway to the Kumaon region. Buses and cabs are easily available from Kathgodam to Binsar.

By Air

The nearest airport to Binsar is at Pantnagar which is located at a distance of 152 Km. Taxis and buses are easily available from Pantnagar Airport to Binsar. Daily flights are available from Delhi to Pantnagar and vice versa. Pant Nagar airport is well-connected with motorable roads with Mukteshwar and other famous places of the Kumaon region.

Binsar Distance Chart

The distance and travel time to Binsar/ from Binsar to different cities of Uttarakhand or outside the state – Binsar Distance Chart

You can also hire or rent a Cab to Binsar. For more details and pricing visit Garhwali Traveller Uttarakhand Cab Rentals.

Binsar

Binsar Travel Guide Uttarakhand

Binsar wildlife sanctuary is a national park in Almora district of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. Binsar offers one of the most beautiful scenic places in Kumaon. It is located at an elevation of 2420 meters. It offers majestic views of Himalayan peaks such as Chaukhamba, Nanda Kot, Panchachuki, Kedarnath and Nanda Devi. Binsar offers 300 Km of majestic and panoramic views of Himalayan peaks from Binsar Zero Point. Every day, hundreds of tourists visit Binsar zero point to enjoy the beautiful views of the great Himalayan ranges and famous peaks of Uttarakhand.

It is a compact hill town encircled by Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the habitat of some rare animal species. If you are an adventure lover, hiker, or camper then you are going to love this place. There is a lot to explore in Binsar wildlife sanctuary.

Binsar hills are commonly known as Jhani Dhar which offers amazing views of the nearby places like Almora and other Himalayan peaks and mountains. It is a perfect place for bird watching, jungle trekking, photography and camping.

Read our details guide on how to reach Binsar.

Binsar History

Binsar town was the summer capital of the Chand Dynasty, which ruled the Kumaon region from the 11th to 18th century A.D. There is an ancient Shiva temple which is very famous in Binsar known as Binsar Mahadev. This temple was built in the 16th century A.D. by Raja Kalyan Chand of the Chand dynasty.

It is also renowned as the location of a mythological war between the King of Binsar and Golu Devta. It is believed that Golu Devta was beheaded.

In the olden days, people came from far-flung villages via treks and paths they created by themselves to pay homage to Binsar Mahadev.

Mythology about Binsar

The name Binsar is derived from 2 words Bin and Sar which means without head. Some historians state that once there was a battle held between Golu Devta and the King of Binsar.

It is believed that Golu Devta was beheaded and his head fell at Kaparkahan and his trunk at Gairad Dana Golu.

Why visit Binsar

From beautiful hills, beautiful orchards, meadows and mesmerizing Himalayan peaks and mountains. Travelers can also visit Jageshwar Temple, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas located about 50 Km from Binsar town. You can see different species of birds here, it is a perfect place for bird watchers.

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary was set up in the year 1988, the whole area is spread over 45.59 sq Km and it is rich in flora and fauna. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. There are more than 200 species of birds in the sanctuary, including Blackbirds, Laughing Trush, Kalij Pheasant, Monal, Parakeets, Nuthatches and Forktail.

The dense forests of Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary are the home of 200 bird species and animals Barking deer, fox, musk deer, langur, porcupine, flying squirrel, chital, jungle cat, Himalayan bear, etc.

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary Entry Ticket Price

The entry ticket price to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is Rs. 40 per person and Rs. 50 for cars and other vehicles. The ticket will be collected at the entry point of Binsar Sanctuary.

Staying in Binsar

Binsar is a hill station and if we compare Binsar with the other hill stations of Uttarakhand, it is a less popular and known tourist destination. So there are not so big and premium hotels and restaurants. For staying, there are a handful of accommodation options available at Binsar.

However, you can travel to Almora which is just 33 Km from Binsar where you can find a wide range of staying options.

Binsar Food Guide

There are no restaurants in Binsar you can get a few restaurants on the way to Binsar – Almora highway. You will get pahadi kumaoni food items at those resorts, and some offer Chinese food and Almora’s famous sweet Balmithai.

Binsar Travel Tips

  • Binsar can be visited any time of the year, the best time to visit Binsar is from April to June and from September to November
  • Avoid visiting Binsar during monsoon season, you can face road blockage and landslides, and the route becomes slippery.
  • If you want to witness the crystal clear Himalayan views and other peaks, then December and February months are best to visit Binsar.
  • If you travel during the peak season, then you could face problems finding accommodation and who loves crowds?