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26th November 2021, 23:51 | #1 |
BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kolkata
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| Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior 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 1Being 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 2It’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 3Hot 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 Last edited by subhojitb : 27th November 2021 at 16:45. Reason: All the pictures are not appearing |
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27th November 2021, 00:36 | #2 |
BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kolkata
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| re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior 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 4It’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 Last edited by subhojitb : 27th November 2021 at 00:53. |
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27th November 2021, 13:43 | #3 |
BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kolkata
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| re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior Day 5Start 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" |
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27th November 2021, 15:07 | #4 |
BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kolkata
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| re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior 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 6Post 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 Last edited by subhojitb : 27th November 2021 at 16:03. |
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27th November 2021, 15:49 | #5 |
BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kolkata
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| re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior Day 7Trying 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 8The 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 9Onward 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 |
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The following 38 BHPians Thank subhojitb for this useful post: | ABHI_1512, abhi_tjet, Arreyosambha, BlackPearl, catchjyoti, digitalnirvana, dmplog, gmhossain, graaja, GTO, guyfrmblr, haisaikat, human_wheels, ike, inclmal1, InControl, kashd, kiran_aithal, livetodrive, Nature&Me, NomadicLife, papr23, Researcher, RoboCop13, roshithr, Rshreyansh, saikarthik, Samba, sayakc, Sreejith V, SS-Traveller, Sukanta73, thirugata, tp_dominator, VeBdrivE, Vitruvius, Wanderers, ysjoy |
28th November 2021, 05:25 | #6 |
Team-BHP Support | re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing! |
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The following 4 BHPians Thank Aditya for this useful post: | digitalnirvana, GTO, Researcher, subhojitb |
28th November 2021, 10:24 | #7 |
BHPian Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: CRJ (WB) / UAE
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| re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior 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. |
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The following 2 BHPians Thank Sukanta73 for this useful post: | haisaikat, subhojitb |
28th November 2021, 15:58 | #8 |
BHPian Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: BANGALORE
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| re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior |
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The following BHPian Thanks kiran_aithal for this useful post: | subhojitb |
28th November 2021, 17:42 | #9 |
BHPian Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Mangalore
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| re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior Your travelogues information galore, Not just It is creativity at it best... ( let me try 2 lines too.. ) |
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The following BHPian Thanks thirugata for this useful post: | subhojitb |
28th November 2021, 19:38 | #10 |
Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Calcutta
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| re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior 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 Last edited by ABHI_1512 : 28th November 2021 at 19:46. |
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The following 10 BHPians Thank ABHI_1512 for this useful post: | abhi_tjet, AZT, BlackPearl, haisaikat, livetodrive, Nature&Me, roshithr, Samba, sayakc, subhojitb |
28th November 2021, 20:40 | #11 |
Distinguished - BHPian | re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior 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. |
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The following 13 BHPians Thank SS-Traveller for this useful post: | abhi_tjet, AZT, BlackPearl, catchjyoti, digitalnirvana, haisaikat, InControl, livetodrive, Nature&Me, Samba, subhojitb, tp_dominator, Wanderers |
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28th November 2021, 23:49 | #12 |
BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kolkata
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| re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior 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 |
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The following 4 BHPians Thank subhojitb for this useful post: | InControl, Samba, SS-Traveller, Sukanta73 |
29th November 2021, 11:46 | #13 |
BHPian | Re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior What a wonderful way of presenting a travelogue! Loved reading it. Beautiful captures and narration. Please keep exploring and sharing in this novel way |
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The following BHPian Thanks abhi_tjet for this useful post: | subhojitb |
29th November 2021, 13:32 | #14 |
Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TVPM
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| Re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior 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. |
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The following BHPian Thanks DicKy for this useful post: | subhojitb |
29th November 2021, 17:21 | #15 | |
Senior - BHPian | Re: Rhymelogue 2.0 | Drive from Kolkata to Varanasi | Agra (via Lucknow) | Gwalior 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 Quote:
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. | |
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The following BHPian Thanks haisaikat for this useful post: | subhojitb |