[subhojitb]

Each travelogue is unique and highlights its own points of view -- the perspective of the author; traveling in silos or groups; a relaxed holiday or a sightseeing spree or enjoying an adventurous journey and the list can go on and on. Though the eyes of seeing a place differ, (and fortunately that gives the place a new dimension every time) but what remains eternal, and immortal is the great time the person or the family or the friends had during that trip, and which sowed the seeds of that travelogue.

I always had the desire to drive to the north-central parts of India and I was looking for an opportunity to break the mind-shackles that two years of the pandemic had created. Though the pandemic lockdown era helped me in utilizing the time in a better way through writing my debut thriller novel - The Sign of Square which flew off Amazon’s shelves and gave me immense pleasure, but being mentally “chained” for two years without any “Live to Drive” feel – the urge was immensely growing, and something had to give in.
We finally had a chance and enjoyed to our hearts’ content visiting Varanasi, Lucknow (pit stop), Agra, and Gwalior. There’s no better way to express it and put my humble attempt at a humorous perspective of the travel than to bring back “Rhymelogue” which essentially is a rhyming travelogue. I used it once long back for my Purulia drive and it's time to upgrade it to 2.0 level.

Friendly tip: Don’t get out to the baritone swinging deliveries and bouncers that are initially bowled. Give an over or two and hopefully life at the crease would be smoother. Incase you are still “out”, requesting a DRS review call

But first, a teaser pic



Pic courtesy: My Son Shourjyo
What is so significant to me in this “common” pic! The answer lies ahead.

The Blue Planet caught in the doldrums to heal mankind
Tracing a magic potion to balm the “lock-down” grind
Embracing a paradigm shift ushers a cation find
Diffract the pandemic-end vibes with human lens

Vivid and vibrant frames with a sense of sharp
Thought-pearls resonate sweetly as harp
To venture or not conquered on Rubik's scarp
Refract the rainbow world with a prism lens

A poetry in prose dipped in travelogue ink
Fuels a vision for readers to awe and think
Desire to strike a chord by the zeroth blink
Refract the rainbow world with a Kaleido lens


Once I board the “Rhymelogue” express
There's no put-down station or chain to press
Memory-tunnels to merging history tracks impress
Reflect the rainbow world with projector lens

Focus shifts from poetic baritone
Respite for you for the “pain” you borne
Sit back, chill out, relax a bit
Limerick deserves a welcome treat

Day 1

Being mentally chained for a couple of years
Pandemic shattered mind-glasses and brought along tears
Yearning to get back to old-normal days
Goddess Durga’s blessing paved the ways

Pujo holidays served as a perfect boon
Double dose covishield a touch of immune
A long-cherished road-trip was planned in a hurry
“If”, “But” died fast and was about to bury

A drive to the north and central in our beloved car
Varanasi-Agra-Gwalior was the plan so far
Buddy TG and his family were swiftly onboard
Our Ertiga and their Swift soon hit the road

4 A.M sharp was the starting time
Ertiga cruised in a manner sublime
We thanked our stars for a clear road
Southbound was unlucky with a traffic load


Gmaps almost not needed in this drive
NH19 is a straight way till Varanasi arrive
No break this time in the langcha shops
A conscious effort to reduce the hops

After Burdwan, Durgapur and Asansol cross
A quick breakfast ensured no time loss
It’s now time to move into Jharkhand state
Fast tag has smoothened the border gate



The travelers meanwhile have a splendid time
Kids, wifey, and yours truly in elation prime
Songs, chat, and banter in effervescence share
Candid snapshots floating freely in the mid-air

Spare a thought for the chariot as well
Who was caged for two years in a hell
It yearned for a drive, drive, and a lot more drives
Wishes come true and here it arrives

As we crossed Topchanchi on our route
The scene drew beauty in absolute
Parasnath hill on the right-hand side
Paving way for the pilgrimage ride

Lush green fields sowing different crops
Long-tail Drongo on tall treetops
The beauty of the terrain and the nice hill range
Frontview to ovrm as the snapshot change

Zip past Bagodar and Barhi ahead
The travelers dial-up and the plan was made
Met another friend while having lunch
His travelogue packs quite a punch

Post lunch it’s time to face the infamous spots
Where traffic snarls were sure to play its shots
However, we were lucky with a capital L
Sherghati, Dehri and Sasaram went off well

Not even Mohania and Chandauli stood up tall
Humpty Dumpty’s jam-marks had a great fall
We didn’t realize how fast time flew by
We had covered 670 km as the spirit was high

Varanasi city can be accessed by three main forks
Ramnagar-Padao was chosen to see how it works
All routes are dreaded due to insane traffic
Based on reviews ours’ was thought of as less erratic


GMap was awful in guiding us the way
People around also had a different say
Two hours of turmoil finally came to an end
And we realized this is the normal trend

Hotel Radisson in the Cantt area is a peaceful place
Devoid of the crowd and the traffic was less
Safety and hygiene were amply present
Service was good and the stay was pleasant

Linens were spotless and the room was fab
Dinner had a wide choice that we jumped to grab
It’s now time to retire for the day
Action-packed day 2 coming our way!

Day 2

It’s now time for a dual-tone script
Baritone-monotone gets a shift

Sipping on piping hot tea made by better-half
Day 2 started on a sweet note
It’s now time to clean my chariot
Can’t get better than a ProKlear coat

Post a filling breakfast with ample spread
Off we set out for the journey ahead
A rental car was planned for the day
Self-drive in Varanasi! Oh, no way!



“Joy Baba Viswanath!” was the starting tone
The car to drop us at Godowlia was already known
The place is sure to make eyeballs pop
Brownian motion with hardly a cop

Rickshaws, cycles, autos galore
Standstill oxen in the junction core
Pujo items to garment shops
Calling us loudly to have pit-stops

A touch of hocus to add to the fun
A blue-shirt purohit made us run
The Ray fan in me draws a parallel
Manohar in “Felunath” etched very well

Cam-phone not allowed in the temple premise
Rental locker to serve us sounded wise
Dual-layer mask but no foot cover
Sugam Darshan ensured very less hover

The golden crown of the temple dome
Seen from a distance as Lord’s home
Prayers and offerings at an all-time high
We offered homage as time flew by

A glimpse of the Ganges was next for sure
The serpentine alley was part of the tour
“Dashaswamedh” – the king of ghats
Old charm feeling spread in all its parts



Spot the spot for shutters’ delight
Caging the sands of time with all its might
The rail bridge is seen on the left-hand side
Tourists are seen taking a joy boat ride



The right side boasts of ghats galore
Formed in an arc shape which lay before
Rituals-profession at its candid best
All seem leisurely with no haste

Boys weren’t happy as the cameras stop
Ladies were cheerful to go to saree shop
The joy was short-lived as the price was high
No Benarasi saree literally made them cry



After a sumptuous lunch at Radisson hotel
It’s now for a visit to Sarnath without fail
The tranquil place has famous offerings
Ashoka pillar and many more things





The lush green garden is well maintained
Where nearby a stupa lay remained
Gautam Buddha adorned this place
A tall statue of him stands with grace





One more hocus to add to the fun
A surprise for kids that I had a pun
The coy was saree shop next inline
Spilled last minute as cruise superfine







Alaknanda cruise is a treat for sure
Ramdas Ghat is the starting of the tour
Comfort, snacks, and on-deck view
Book it early as seats are few



A brief history of the notable ghats
AV show lit up many mind-watts
The pristine Ganges have a ripple effect
Light and shadow pic that’s so perfect





The tour was till the rail bridge site
It's time now to witness the glorious sight
The cruise-line stops for the Arati event
Near Dashaswamedh to have heart’s content









It’s time to return to the starting point
A glimpse of the Darbhanga didn’t disappoint
Machhli Baba’s place of patter and secret den
Maestro Ray is forever in lens and pen



Memories captured in card and mind
Would come back surely if God is kind
Come back once more in a different season
For a longer stay as the primary reason


Request your patience to bear with me
Rhymelogue Express to start Day three
Pardon me for the baritone again
Kashi incomplete sans soul-searched brain

Towering above the stratospheric range
Of the colossal bubble of the modern world
A city and time are synonymous -isn’t it strange?
An eternal silent movie slowly unfurled

Albeit obscured that God resides in the pristine heart
A solitary place that is famous for life beyond life
No Ganges rather Maa Ganga can only impart
How to find solace amidst a life of strife

The flavour is special who have unique eyes and soul
The city embraces them in welcome style
Pause and transported to sands of time is the goal
To carry home memories with a gentle smile

Reincarnation, religion, race reach resonance
Varanasi venue vibes voice vibrance

Day 3

Hot tea begins day3 on a sweet note
Time to clean my chariot with a Proklear coat
Post breakfast the checkout was smooth
Where’s our pit-stop, kids didn’t know the truth



Call it a fun or call it a prank
Surprise adds flavour lets be frank
Agra the endpoint kids knew that
Via Lucknow spilled later out of the hat

Varanasi south, NH19, and then Rae Bareli
This is most chosen and used quite freely
But Jaunpur road from Varanasi north
We chose that route, and the drive was worth

Road-work in parts need driving sways
But most parts of it are 4-laned ways
Lots of dhabas and fuel stations
Maintain constant speed at most locations

Cross Sultanpur and the toll road starts
The plan of Lucknow was spilled in parts
The mere thought of the Awadhi cuisine
Lucknow come fast!! Where have you been?

Five hours journey soon came to an end
Buddy(TG) reached early than his friend
Dastarkhwan – the name is enough
Rated highly by each cuisine buff




Dishes served to make Agra drift
Sense organs have a stimulus shift
GO sits prior to the get-set tone
Even no FB and Whatsapp on any phone



Royal Biryani with its heavenly taste
Awadhi cuisine at its all-time best
Lajawab taste & aroma of Galauti kabab
Really feels like I am Wajid Ali Nawab

[subhojitb]

Tandoori, Tangri, Rezala and Nun
Seemed like pure bliss second to none
Firni the sweet dish secures a gold
Each item loved by young and old







It’s time for the ladies to hit on the pitch
To avenge a “Benarasi World Cup” glitch
“Chikankari T20” the next big thing
Shop-cart tees-off in a big swing



Lucknow-i chikan in its best avatar
Colour and arts in saree-salwar
“5-for” and “tons” went ladies’ luck
Boys managed to escape the golden duck



Lucknow was visited prior as well
That is a separate story to tell
Bye-bye Lucknow, see you then
Your charm draws us time and again

Everyone had their share of fun
It’s Ertiga’s turn to have its run
The thrill quotient was on display
On Agra-Lucknow Expressway



A peek back to three decades before
Self-driven community yearned for more
The roads in general were not that great
In 5 hours Agra-Lucknow just forget!

A fast jump-cut to the present day
The dream has come true as they say
With Expressways and the GQ roads
The driving-DNA just explodes

A smooth tarmac with a silken touch
Short of praise though said as much
The six-lane ALE is a driver’s delight
Handles takeoff-landing of even a flight



Clear signage of the exit points
Where are fuel and food joints
But be cautious about racing sport
Speed cameras surely do report

“Jab chhod chale Lucknow nagari
Tab haal adam par kya guzari”
Audio “Badshahi Angti” the “Khuswaqt” time
All get engrossed in Feluda’s thriller of crime

Darkness pierced by four Osram throws
Shrinks a bit and again it grows
The ambient light in the cabin inside
The mood scale tilts to the driver’s side

A sweep past the obscured village outline
The light of TAJ-city’s diamond aura shine
The Crown Palace – is simply crème de la crème
Drive to the TAJ city– a long-term dream

Radisson hotel was chosen again
Elaborate bag-scan was really a pain
Food menu rated as three of five
Each service was late to arrive

Quality checks were few and far
Hygiene, strictly a notch below par
Stained linen was a cause of worry
Food contamination begged a sorry


However, all is not bad as it sounds
Posh feeling surely covers some grounds
Puppet show activity and mini arcade
Of course, deserves a higher grade



Location and rooms have full marks sure
A stunning TAJ view they do ensure
Even better from the royal rooftop
Infinity pool adds thrill nonstop



We are now in Agra, the city of TAJ
Trying my best to frame a travel collage
Pardon me if you feel bored
Take a chai break and re-board

Day 4

It’s now time for a dual-tone script
Baritone-monotone gets a shift

Day 4 sets the tone in a fabulous way
Enjoy TAJ view while sipping hot tea
Fatehpur-Sikri and Bharatpur awaits
Gems of history – come and see





Our Ertiga and Swift get a needed rest
The legs of the owners get a breather as well
It’s time to catch up with old chauffeur pal
His Innova is there for the tour to propel

Drive in silos got own sweet charm
While travel in a group adds fun and frolic
The fun-filled sessions and the camaraderie
Rejuvenates our mind like a vital tonic

TG’s cute princess was the star of the show
Her funny one-liners had ROFL effect
Her songs with melody charmed us more
The group travel picture was so perfect

My pre-teen kids had a rocking time
Sis-aunt-uncle had a merrier result
The cabin of Innova has a vibrant mood
All enjoy - be it young or adult

Making its towering presence felt
The fort of Fatehpur-Sikri is soon visible
History unfolds its layer of curtains
Time travel ports us keeping invisible



Buland Darwaza to Jama Masjid
Diwan-i-Aam to Diwan-i-khaas
All witnessed the glorified days
Mirror of history has a royal glass







The Tomb of Salim Chisti is a special place
The Sufi saint’s magic is still intact
Offering prayers to we-time pose
Time travel’s sepia had a deep impact





The five-storied palace of Paanch Mahal
Has folklore stories in every pillar
With Emperor Akbar’s vision in mind
Fatehpur-Sikri still looks stellar





The trip to Bharatpur was coming up next
Once lunch was over in a pretty short time
Maharaja Suraj Mal’s legacy is still in view
Lohagarh fort though past its prime





The palace museum is rich in glory
The peaceful garden has an added appeal
Kids chase squirrel is a candid shot
The national bird posed by standing still









Shutter overdose made a slight delay
We were ten minutes behind schedule
Bird sanctuary had closed its gates
Son was depressed about the rule

The trip was splendid with a minor glitch
It’s time to return to the Radisson hotel
Day 5 coming up in a pretty quick time
I have more stories for you to tell

[subhojitb]

Day 5

Start day 5 “pics” from a different lens
As son awaits the key suspense
Canon Ixus camera is on a full charge
Memory-card size seems pretty large

Since the days of twinkle twinkle little star
How I (son) wondered what you are
I now love Potter, Percy, Marvel, and Ray
The best of the wonders, I’ll see today



Sunrise TAJ view for shutter’s delight
Will try to use morning hue and light
Evening time to guide mom and sis
As in the morning, they had a miss

Parking stand to TAJ eastern gate
Almost ran so that I don’t get late
Father tries to catch up speed
But fails to compete with a pre-teen kid!

As dawn breaks in and light falls on TAJ
The white monument makes a golden collage
The first TAJ view I will cherish forever
TAJ looks wow besides Yamuna river



Main view, side view, and many such views
The shutter of my cam in constant use
From reflection to the chirping of birds
Even tried abstract with rule-of-thirds











A must capture is the Arabic art
Focus then shifts to the marble heart
Will plead to my father for a better gear
Wide, macro, tele lens for far and near









It’s time to enter the main mausoleum
No clicks there, in no medium
Unheard stories from our Mr. Guide
Thrill as much when name-echo replied

It’s time to return but will come back sure
Again, in the evening that I ensure
To have more fun with mom, sis, dad
Two times TAJ view – wow! I’m glad

Shifting again to main narrator voice
Hope you enjoyed the earlier choice
Post breakfast we are at Agra Fort
To see it leisurely and with comfort



The gorgeous structure is partly open
Almost half occupied by army men
The common man can still benefit
History and view-point -- all-time hit

Attack the enemy via hot oil pores
Ruins intact as the tourist explores
Rebuilt by Akbar with red sandstone
Shah Jahan’s prison has a melancholy tone





The symmetrical pillars of Diwan-i-Aam
Star-shaped jharokhas create a charm
Unique glass mosaic of Sheesh Mahal
TAJ view commands a large footfall









When awesome artwork marries illusion
Its beauty is elevated -- the conclusion
TAJ looks far from a nearer zone
How in those days!! Still unknown

Selfie shots to “we time” pose
A touch of candid with abstract dose
Reels of memory coil up fast
The thought of checkout comes at last





If you think the tour has reached its crest
The TAJ visit is pinnacle and simply the best
For many of us, this is so very true
BHPians sense a different clue


Room view’s own charm scores pretty high
The TAJ from terrace is a treat to the eye (s)
Awesome feel to touch the marble heart
Ertiga’s TAJ backdrop is the unique part

Dreams come true if you give them wings
This dream was nurtured for many springs
Many such springs have now come to life
In same frame with TAJ, Ertiga, kids, and wife

To find the perfect place is a daunting task
Locals are clueless and ignore when I ask
Route from dreams then showed the way
Call it a magic, what do you say?

Leaving the arteries of the Yamuna trail
Behold the spot – the holy grail
It’s time for THE SHOT and the frame is ready
Director’s “ACTION” voice is heard already!





The pose and the poise are in firm possession
Front, tail, rear third views strike cohesion
Alas! If I would have been in photo profession
Clicks would’ve left a better impression



Carving a niche is the 4-friends shot
The brown and the white team share the spot
The pearl white backdrop adds to the glory
Relish and cherish the old wine story



Digital wallpaper at its absolute best
The groufie pic stored in the analog chest
The time, the place etched in memory forever
Souls can depart but ties won’t sever





Auf wiedersehen! The parting lines leave moist eyes
Of soulful hearts of the metal and marble allies
Wanderlust minds keep the hopes alive
The chance to reunite through "live to drive"

[subhojitb]

Post lunch it’s time to visit the TAJ again
Depicting its beauty is a different domain
“Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder”
Humble tribute to TAJ kept in a secret folder

Let’s state briefly how my princess feels
The minaret symmetry surely appeals
Mesmerizing effect of the calligraphy art
Terrific sunset view of the Yamuna part

Brother, my guide creates moments of fun
As siblings pull leg with a touch of pun
My name reverberates in the central dome
The wonder of the world, the Mumtaz home

Hearing partly guide’s narration
I look for unique TAJ angles
Enough poses that I have given
Please Dad free me from click strangles



Transported to a dreamland of magic grace
My wife’s thought leaves an iota of trace
A couple posed here before thirteen springs
History repeats with heart’s unison strings

A step in the present while other in time machine
Nostalgic memories of the flashback scene
My precious twin diamonds now grace the pic
Spins off golden memories of the “Wah TAJ !” click







Thought colours paint the canvas full
Time now for some souvenirs cool
Kids thoroughly enjoy the tonga ride
Smile to the face is auto-applied

Day 6

Post breakfast its tata Agra and bye-bye Taj
But blessed with the call of the Gwalior Raj
The three-hour drive is silken smooth
Decades earlier showed a different truth



Canopy of trees add beauty to the 4-laned road
Rail tracks give company when someone’s bored
The towns of Dholpur, Morena come in between
Our footprints were not previously seen

“Behad mein baaghi hote hain” was high octane
In the now-calm places of the Chambal terrain
The obscured line between the real and the reel
Paan Singh, Gabbar provide goosebumps feel

Our Ertiga pulls with elan and torque
Soon we are in the main junction fork
“Oh, not again!” is the readers’ voice
As Radisson Gwalior is the preferred choice



Though this Radisson has no TAJ view room
Best cuisine surely clears the gloom
Large spread items and the choice of menu
Five-star rating for this hotel venue



Jai Vilas palace is the next sightseeing spot
A bit of friendly advice that I recently got
GMap shows the private entry of the royal estate
Thus followed an auto to reach the public gate



The palace boasts of Grandeur with a capital G
The opulent museum belongs to Scindia Ji (s)
Ballad of history dipped in heritage ink
Awe-inspiring – just pause and think







The spotlight beam falls on the family tree
The generations depict in the highest degree
Signature collection in the countless halls
Showcased brilliantly on floor and walls



The boat-shaped turban has a unique feat
One eighty feet cloth is hard to defeat
As the armored suits reminisce war
Duels of guns and swords create a vision blur







The royal carriage with its elegant poise
Tells a glorified story with no noise
The silver cutlery chimes a silent tune
Waiting to welcome the guests pretty soon







The mini rail surely draws an awe statement
The grand dining hall gets a similar comment
The mesmerising effect of the Huuuuge chandelier
Deserves tourists’ attention round the year







After a memorable time at the palace was spent
The setting of the Sun induced a special event
The place though not far from the royal palace
GMap route made us move at a snail's pace

The horrendous road took a toll on us
The drowsy Ertiga needed a "coffee stimulus"
Forget that, it's now time for a mini uphill drive
This "caffeine" effect gleefully made it alive

With whispering siren of the crickets around
Large stone carvings' silent murmur sound
The light and shadow formed by the headlight beams
The "Great Wall" silhouette is eerie it seems

Our seven-membered group is the first to arrive
The set of the amphitheater is all set to revive
Drone view city wears garlands of twinkling lights
The majestic Gwalior Fort Show cordially invites







Amidst the fort backdrop with changing hues
The story-synced light offers stunning views
The Bachchan baritone thunders with a Dolby effect
The Light and Sound show thrills and earn respect



As the galloping of horses dilutes in oblivion
The fort chhatris wear the colour of a chameleon
As the rebel guns and swords struck a resonance
Wished the smell sense organ could have its presence

The lights win few and the sound wins some
Kids and parents adore and applause handsome
The Bachchan charisma and the Tansen song
Will be nurtured in memory vivid and strong

[subhojitb]

Day 7

Trying to take a monotone break
Pardon me for the monotonous take


A new dawn ushers in the “Dil” of Hindustan
Night view mode gives way to his alter ego
Lucky we are to get a second chance
To witness the awesome fort - off we go

The human brain is full in-charge
The GMap AI makes a frowny face
The route via Lucky paints to Urvai gate
The Gwalior Fort is so easy to trace

Each fort has its own unique charm
But this fort surely has a plus-plus suffix
The canal of blue in the barrage of sepia
Blends the history in a perfect mix





The oath to protect the city beneath
Each clan strives to attain a stardom scale
The kingdoms depart via “golden handshake”
Fort – the lone warrior depicts the tale











Jain carvings to Murad’s prison
Gujari, Jahangir and Shah Jahan Palace
The oldest recorded zero – all are here
Come and see the enchanting place







The “photo-sea-journey” starts the anchor time
The fort “lighthouse” marks the end of the sail
The back-packed cameras aka Captain Haddock
Screams “Thundering Typhoon” to go out of jail



Back to the hotel for a sumptuous lunch
It’s now time to visit the Sarafa Bazaar
I refrain myself from the earlier T20 style
Not to be tagged as moo kaala with bure naazar

“Kothari Sons” have an awesome range
The glamorous “sisters” steal the show
The Chanderi-Maheshwari find perfect homes
Sarees make our better-halves’ happiness grow



Talking of happiness, I too had one
The sweet tooth bug wants a sugary bite
“Jai Bholenath” deserves a hip-hip-hooray
Packed tons for home - the decision right



Late evening, a surprise is in store for me
A BDay cake is arranged by family & friends
A red-lettered Birthday indeed it is
Bouquet from home – my parent(s) sends

Day 8

The city of Gwalior has a calm demeanor
The city is clean, and the trees make it greener
Adieu Radisson, Au Revoir Fort and Palace
The tour metaphor is all set to retrace

The City of Joy has a “home” tagline
Where the pulls of gravity brightly shine
Midpoint Varanasi acts as the libra scale
Where Gwalior-Kolkata leaves an equal trail

Gwalior to Etawah is a two-lane road
Though a speed of 80 can easily be scored
Just before Etawah when the Yamuna is crossed
Pops moon sized craters and the car gets lost

Nh19’s Etawah to Kanpur leaves no blemish
Smooth tarmac is a fun drive and to relish
But post Kanpur till Prayagraj arrives
Uncountable diversions spoil the drives

The “Hyde” Handia now wears the “Jekyll” look
Gwalior-Varanasi total in 11 hours it finally took
Yes, the readers! You finally heard it right!
No Radisson, Grapevine Ramada for just one night

Ramada group recently acquired Hotel Grapevine
This plush property is close to NH19 highway line
Varanasi pit-stop has now smooth ingress
The migration, too, has an easy egress

A clean and cozy room is what you get
Lip-smacking food is what we ate
With prompt service and no parking woes
Value for money deals – the vote surely goes

Day 9

Onward journey’s Varanasi grind
Put a mental block in my mind
All that changed with the Grapevine find
Will do more trips if GOD is kind


The “home pull gravity” is now even more
Bye Varanasi as we shut Ertiga’s door
Despite facing torrential showers
The return journey took twelve hours

The Rhymelogue Express now comes to a halt
Take a lemonade break with sweet and salt
Thanks from my heart’s core for your patience
For bearing so very long my poetic presence

Epilogue:

My humble observations and things to share:

Kolkata – Varanasi - Kolkata
• Started at 4 AM sharp from my residence in southern parts of Kolkata and reached Varanasi outskirts at 5:30 PM with lunch break (1 hr) near Barhi. From Varanasi outskirts to Hotel Radisson near Cantonment area took around 2 hours with Google maps misleading in multiple points. Specifically took the Ramnagar – Padao Road but the trademark Varanasi traffic and Google map adding fuel to it made it a long one. So, while going it took me around 15.5 hrs with a sedate driving style.

• Chouparan – Slow-moving; Sherghati ~ 30 min – Due to victory procession of an election candidate; Dehri on Sone – Breeze; Sasaram – Super smooth

• For those who have the experience of country boats and Bajra rides in the Ganges for the Arati event can try a different one. The Alaknanda Cruise in Varanasi is surely a great experience. Online tickets can be booked at

https://alaknandacruise.com/Home/Booking_new

The morning and evening rides are priced at 900/- per ticket and are charged for kids aged 2 years and above. Light refreshment is given on board. They also have the packages for Chunar fort. The cruise starts from Ramdas Ghat which is in the southern part of Varanasi and cars go directly near the ghats.

• For Viswanath Ji darshan, “Sugam Darshan” is convenient, and the tickets are available in both online mode and across the counter. Online tickets can be booked at

https://shrikashivishwanath.org/frontend/home/poojaList

• Just in case one needs a purohit, can contact Pande Ji (73070-96520)
• From a car rental point of view, one is spoiled for options in Varanasi. However, just sharing the contact details of the travel agency from where we booked. A spotless Innova Crysta for 12-hour sightseeing in the city cost us 3k. Contact person Mr. Vinay Singh (81125-44707)

• We also contacted the drivers of a few auto-rickshaws though we ultimately shifted to Innova. Found this auto driver to be quite friendly. Mr. Krishna (78979-89769)

• During the return phase, to avoid the chaotic Varanasi traffic, stayed at Hotel Grapevine Ramada near Katesar, Ramnagar. This hotel is much closer to NH19 without having to negotiate the dreaded Varanasi traffic and with lots of parking options. Though a high star property, they provided me with good value for money deals. Anyone interested, can get in touch with Mr. Anupam Sharma (Sales Manager – 75650-05211). While traveling from Kolkata, note the Heritage World School and then cross the lane at the first instance, from where the Grapevine hotel is much closer. Though I traveled from the hotel at around 9 in the morning and hit NH19 towards Kolkata, I found minimal traffic all along.

Kolkata to Hotel Grapevine Varanasi route can be found here

https://goo.gl/maps/LMBYLFw8DUsVSVC28

Disclaimer: This is the potential route that I had chalked out. I could only verify the egress point from Varanasi and not the incoming route but hopefully, it should work out.

• From Varanasi started around 8:45 AM and reached Dankuni in 11.5 hours despite facing torrential rain from Jharkhand onwards. All the popular bottleneck areas were crossed in a breeze, and it was really a pleasurable drive.

Varanasi – Lucknow - Agra

• From Varanasi to Agra, opted for the Jaunpur- Sultanpur route (NH 31-731) based on the feedback of the travel agency with whom we toured Varanasi and was pleasantly surprised. Started from the hotel at 8 AM and reached Lucknow at 1 PM. This road has almost 70% 4-lane. From Varanasi to Jaunpur, there are diversions though. But once NH731 takes over it's really a magnificent drive with smooth road quality, lots of big Dhaba options as well as fuel stations. However, with the Purvanchal Expressway now open, which was not during my travel days, it could attract more BHPians going forward.

• Just in case one stays north of Varanasi, as we did during the onward journey, the Jaunpur-Sultanpur route is closer than the Prayagraj-Rae Bareli route, and one can hit the highway pretty soon.

• Our main purpose to visit Lucknow this time was to relish the Awadhi cuisine and then take the ALE since we had already seen the prominent tourist attractions of the city in an earlier visit. We tried Dastarkhwan restaurant and visited their Lalbagh outlet which is closer to ALE.

• The ALE is as per expected lines and already much talked about by other members.

Agra

• Stayed in the Fatehabad Road area which is closer to the Taj Mahal Eastern Gate. Did the Fatehpur Sikri and Bharatpur trip with a familiar driver Mr. Dharmendar (96629-55247) with whom I have done many trips before. For the sunrise view of the Taj, got in touch with the auto driver Mr. Vinod (88597-52538).

• For Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the gates close at 4:30 in the evening and we just missed the bus.

• We had the experience of meeting two guides at Taj Mahal, one in the morning and one during the evening as we traveled in two groups. Guide Mr. Ansari (93195-95004) who did the morning tour needs a special mention for his polite behavior and the art of describing the historical facts.

The tickets for Taj Mahal are now available only via the online booking option. One such option is https://asi.payumoney.com/. Though the other historical monuments in UP have an online mode, the tickets are available at the counter. For Agra Fort, Agra Development Authority charges Rs. 10/- additionally which needs to be purchased using UPI/Netbanking right at the counter, which comes on top of the main entrance ticket.

Gwalior - Varanasi

• Google maps confuse a lot in Gwalior. The private entry of the Jai Vilas palace is being constantly shown rather than the public entry gate which is almost a kilometer and more semicircle.

• Similarly, the route from Jai Vilas Palace to Gwalior Fort is chosen via the old Quilla Road area which is surely a horrendous experience with a super congested narrow lane (you don’t call it a road) coupled with extreme traffic. From whichever point one is coming, the main road which leads to Urvai gate should be the best-chosen option.

• As mentioned earlier but with a pun, Kothari Sons in the Sarafa Bazaar area is a great place for saree shopping and the nearby Jai Bholenath sweets is a perfect place to pack sweets for home.


• During the return leg, was coming from Gwalior to Varanasi. Gwalior to Etawah is 2-laned though with sparse traffic. Crossing Etawah took around 30 minutes and then took the NH19. Etawah to Kanpur is excellent, Kanpur to Prayagraj has numerous diversions and Prayagraj to Varanasi over Handia is silky smooth.


It would be unfair if I miss out on my trusted companion’s contribution – the Ertiga

U
Took us IN
Took us TO
Took us BY
Took Us THROUGH
Took us UP
Took us NEAR
Took us DOWN
Took us FAR

And more importantly Took Us Safely Back Home.



Its subhojitb signing off for now. Keep Smiling

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[Sukanta73]

Unbelievable story in form of rhymes. I am really surprised how you nicely inculde the place names, hotel names etc. in your rhymelogue.

Keep travelling and share your rhymelogue again.

[kiran_aithal]

First time I am seeing a rhymelogue written so well. Hats off to you Sir!
Keep them coming...

Originally Posted by subhojitb

Epilogue:

My humble observations and things to share:
Its subhojitb signing off for now. Keep Smiling

And thanks for the Epilogue; gives a lot of good information.

[thirugata]

Your travelogues information galore, Not just
It is creativity at it best...

( let me try 2 lines too.. )

[ABHI_1512]

No matter how much we dissect the thread bare
Travelogues like the one above is very rare
Each line is a slow motion song playing in respective
To get to the essence of travel in perspective

Including Mitaoli, Padawali and Bateshwar in Gwalior
Hopefully you would have enjoyed to see the stone cut folklore
Just as you missed them somehow
I also managed to not see the Jai Vilas Palace despite my know how

How wonderful it would have been to see more pictures
Just to make sure the experience still lingers
Congratulations on making this beautiful journey successful
May you all continue to take road trips bucketful

[SS-Traveller]

Rhyme and rhythm are a part of travel,
As one lets Google Maps unravel
The roads of our country, and to marvel
At the sights and sounds through nonsense babble.

Your poetry brought back memories
Of a travelogue I had tried to freeze
In rhyme, when we went on one of our driving sprees
To Amritsar and Pathankot, see the link please.

Your photos are great, narration enjoyable,
Benaras, the Taj, the food on the table.
I look forward to more poems as you travel
Over smooth roads, also sand, mud and gravel.

[subhojitb]

Thanks so much SS-Traveller, ABHI_1512, thirugata, kiran_aithal, Sukanta73 for your encouragement regarding the rhymelogue. Each comment deserves a special place in my heart as does the thanks vote and the views outside the BHPian community.


SS-Traveller da, ABHI_1512 - In those few lines, what you have penned down are absolute gems. Earnestly looking forward to your sets of rhymelogues which I'm sure would thrill the BHPians even more than my humble attempt

[abhi_tjet]

What a wonderful way of presenting a travelogue! Loved reading it. Beautiful captures and narration.
Please keep exploring and sharing in this novel way

[DicKy]

That's a refreshing change. For some reason, this rhymelogue kept me engaged with the pics, more than ordinary travelogues with whole paragraphs.

Reminded me of sidindica's tributes.

To be frank, I would have got stuck writing even one stanza.

[haisaikat]

A remarkable way of narrating the journey and its not just rhyming its full of information too which makes it a delight to read. Certainly a reference point for anyone to start planning. The 1st Generation Ertiga had really excellent build quality and your machine have stood that reputation.

Your Writeup has quite some humorous lines too that were enjoyable indeed

Pops moon sized craters and the car gets lost

Also the change of passing the narration from father to son and back, that is really well thought about.

Wondering which time of year did you travel since we travelled to Agra end of this October and could only manage Taj Mahal, but point being the Raebareli stretch of road on way to Lucknow was indeed a badly broken one. I did make a note of the Alakananda Cruise of Varanasi, will be surely on my must visit list going forward.

Rated 5 stars for the wonderful jugglery with rhymes clubbed with enticing photo, please keep more of these coming.