When a smooth drive turned into an adventure!

When we decided to pack our bags and leave for some tempting place, for Christmas holidays, adventure was the last thing on our minds. What we had been planning was a quiet and peaceful holiday. However, as they say: Man proposes, God disposes, our journey was meant to be something else than what we had planned.

Since 302 km Lucknow-Agra expressway had been inaugurated by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, and on his orders it was also to be opened for public on 23 December, our logic told us that it would be ready a day in advance, except finishing touches.

Aiming to avoid the traffic of driving enthusiasts, who, we thought, would be hitting the road when it is opened for public, we decided to leave a day in advance, on 22 December.

Soon, we realised that we were tad too optimistic, or we took the Uttar Pradesh government a bit too seriously. Whereas, when the government says open it for public, it doesn't really mean it.

So, the early morning we were set for our brief Christmas holiday sojourn. Our nearly 12-year-old humble but fiercely loyal Hyundai Santro was all decked up with new head lights, fog lamps and brand spanking tyres. Excited, we headed towards Lucknow-Agra Expressway. Getting out of Lucknow never felt like this ever before.

Our happiness knew no boundary when we spotted the first sign: "Welcome to India's longest Lucknow-Agra Expressway". The sign displayed a poked-faced Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. The road was smooth with practically zero traffic. We were so proud of our decision to leave a day early (on 22 December) and thought the drive would be a memorable one.

But, it was too early to feel at the top of the world. Looking back, I feel we were optimistic fools!

Our's was the only car on the black tarmac road. There were no more signs, after the Chief Minister welcoming us - not even for diversions. There were workers, machines and lorries all along the way.

Yet, it didn't make us suspicious. The argument was if the road was to be opened for public a day later, it has to be complete a day before even with diversions.

The workers were either fixing the fence on the divider or erecting the railing on the sides of the road. At places, there were big machines and vehicle busy in digging and carrying construction material. We kept enquiring the workers about the condition of the road further, but got no hint of any road block.

However, our positive attitude could not take us far. The reality was soon staring us in the face. As we crossed Kannauj, there was a big machine blocking both sides of the road - a bridge was under construction. We were taken aback - especially because no worker on the highway confronted that the road was incomplete, or in a state where it would take at least 3 months for it to be useable.

Disappointed, we took a U turn, hoping to find some slip road to come off the expressway. Luckily, we spotted a lorry on a temporary road made for lorries to carry the construction material. Thanks to Hyundai technology, we dared to take our humble vehicle on that freshly-poured mud road. Driving carefully for about 200 metres, we finally touched an old and narrow but tarmac road.

Driving on this road for over 80 KM we found ourselves on the same old National Highway 2, which we usually take to drive to Delhi. There was no way that could have connected us to Expressway again.

Anyway, we were still happy that at least we have been able to avoid the traffic jam in Kanpur.

What else! we had to justify our decision and our faith in the government.

The lesson we got was "not to take government announcements on face value."

Our advice: All those who are planning to drive on Yamuna Expressway via Lucknow-Agra Expressway - Beware, the road will not be ready in at least 3 months. So, take the old tried and tested National Highway 2 to reach the Yamuna Expressway.

P.S. This was just the beginning of our journey. Watch this place for more adventures and fun which we had until reaching home safely after a fortnight.

A journey that was....

I have been to Varanasi many times. This visit on 17 June 2015 was dedicated to my sister and it was a sort of my present to her on her wedding anniversary which was on 18 June.

Fond of road journeys we started our drive in our humble 10-year old Santro (Hyundai). We had barely driven 3-4 km when the obstructions started.

Wrong news given by media that the flyover on Lucknow-Sultanpur road has become functional, was the first block. The flyover was neatly barricaded.

We reversed and took another route bypassing Rae Bareli and Pratapharh, as suggested by a few of our very good friends. The road was bad, as expected in Uttar Pradesh. However, the excitement of taking my sister to a place she has not seen dominated and we reached Varanasi in the afternoon.

The tiredness vanished the moment our host informed us about the plan they had chalked out for next two days.

Before leaving home I had requested a friend of mine to make our stay arrangement and also make some arrangement for Ganga Arti and early morning darshan of Baba Bhole Nath or Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the methodical planning that the hosts had done.

By evening we were ready to go for Ganga Arti. Lekhpal Chhedi Lal Srivastava was there dot on time to accompany us to the ghat (river bank). From Civil Lines (where we were staying) to Gudaulia (Dashasvamegh ghat). Throughout the way, he kept explaining as to why Varanasi could never improve, despite being the constituency of the Indian Prime Minister, at present. He also told us about places on the way and which area is known for what. It was interesting and enlightening.    

Since we reached the ghats a bit early, Srivastava suggested we should go for boating.

There, Srivastava handed over his charge to Rajesh Kumar, the tourist police, and told us that he would meet us near our car when we are finished with our business at the ghat.

Rajesh Kumar was waiting for us to guide us to the boats and come along with us. Boating was pure fun. Rajesh Kumar narrated the history behind all those magnificent structures at each of the 84 ghats.

Boating in Ganga was not new for me but the experience was different to all the previous ones. We spent an hour there - taking photos, listening to Rajesh and enjoying the strong splashes of water that the speed of the boat created.

The river Ganga was at its prime beauty due to strong breeze causing big waves.

There are 84 ghats and each ghat has a story to tell. Rajesh Kumar could tell us some. He told us why the Kashi Karvat temple was named so. He gave the history of Raja sawai Maan Singh Fort and Chet Singh Fort. He told us about the Observatory in one of those forts. He also narrated the saga of old musical instruments that are stored in one of the forts.

The life at the banks of Ganges was rejuvenating. There were cricket matches being played with proper running commentary. 

Rajesh also showed us the replica of Nepal's Pashupati Nath Temple which is built and managed by Nepalese pujaaris. 

Our guide Rajesh Kumar, the tourist police also told us about Raja Harish Chandra Dome, whose descendants are still living in the huge house. Even today, the family survives on the wood from Manikarnika ghat, which is a Shamshan Ghat or burning ghat, where Hindus get their last rituals done.

He did not forget to show us the famous Assi Ghat, from where PM Modi started his Swatch Bharat Mission. Earlier the steps were buried under the mud but now they are clean and people come and sit here. Even in the early morning the ghat is used for cultural activities. 
     
Soon, it was time for Ganga Arti. We took our seats at the VIP section. We were told by our hosts that even the Prime Minister Modi had seen the Ganga Arti from the same place. We felt privileged!

In my mind, I thanked my friend again.

I have witnessed the Ganga Arti a couple of times in the past. But sitting specially for it made a difference in my perception. I could see how young the pujaaris were who were doing the Arti. I could see how a variety of Arti, one with dhoop, the other with multiple diyas and one more is used with different recitations.

I was also surprised to see that the religious recitations were not recorded but a person sitting behind the pujaaris was singing whilst also playing the harmonium.

The whole ambience seemed to have transcended us to a different world, which was surreal and far away from the madding crowd. The experience overwhelmed my sister and tears started pouring down.

I understood what we gain when we get a VIP treatment. One gets time to feel.

It was now time for dinner and we had decided that in Varanasi we will be having local food with Banarasi flavour. Our good old friend Srivastava once again helped proved wonderful. He advised us that we go to Keshari Ruchikar Vyanjan, a restaurant about 100 metres away from the ghat.

The food was simple but yummy, especially Banarasi aaloo curry.

Satisfied, contended, happy, well looked after, and tired in a nicer way, we called it a day.

Next day, an early morning visit to Kashi Vishvanath temple was listed in our itinerary.

Another Lekkhpal, a quiet and disinterested one, accompanied us to the temple.

I remember that in my last 4-5 visits to Varanasi, as an ordinary citizen, I could never dare visit the temple, despite my longing. The long queue easily deterred me.

However, this was not the case this time. Peacefully we entered the precinct of the temple and I, it seemed for the first time, had a real darshan of Baba Bhole Nath. Touching the Shivaling was out of question as it is barricaded with iron bars. Yet, at least we could see it.

Feeling the presence of God, I am not sure. What I could feel and see were hordes of army men- anywhere you see in the temple, its their camouflage staring at you. They continuously keep patting every devotee to hurry up and give others also a chance - quite a mechanical way of worshipping, which at least did not infuse me with a religious feeling!

The solace was that it was my sister's wedding anniversary and she along with her husband started the day with a visit to Baba Bhole Nath. I saw God in her faith and happiness.

The 'must do' of Varanasi would not have completed if we had left the place without the unique breakfast, so ethnic to Banaras!

We all had some mouthwatering Lassi and some sumptuous Kachoris before bidding adieu to the oldest living city in the world!