Hygiene standards are sometimes questionable. Water is always offered but avoid it - it's usually from a barrel rather than a hand pump. Be sure to wash your hands before and after eating . Water Water in the populated areas is not recommended. I recommend either a portable filer, iodine tablets.
Bottled water is widely available in touristy areas but difficult to come by in the country areas.
Carry a few litres only. This may seem impossible in such a densely populated country setting up towards dusk is the trick. Indians also consider it strange that a Westerner doesn't stay in hotels all the time. Not the police, though, as they don t generally speak English and, in any case, are unhelpful that way. Local Bicycle Infrastructure Lots of bikes in India.