Exploring the Hidden Gems of Uttar Pradesh

It a rich land of culture, history, pilgrimage and idyllic natural beauty. Setting out on my journey, little did I realize that this memorable trip was going to leave me filled with memories that I would have for a long time. A close proximity to the national capital also allows the state to be explored either by road or train. Ideally, both will be good options if you are a traveler at heart and someone who loves adventure. The state has some hidden treasures which can be explored and experienced first-hand only if you set out your journey all by yourself and plan the trip accordingly.

Inspired to explore this epitome of diversity, I decided to take the road trip from Delhi and explore places on the way to share my memoirs with you, chronicling them for our readers who would be willing to explore the same and are in search for a meaningful trip filled with exploration and discovery.

Since I wanted to give wee hours of Delhi traffic a miss, therefore, I decided to leave early and make a pit stop on the Delhi- Mathura highway for a sumptuous breakfast. The early morning hours are pleasant and as you leave Delhi, you begin to experience what fresh air actually felt like to breathe in. Like a child, I rolled down my window and craned out my neck to get a gush of fresh air into my nostrils and let the feeling of good old road trips sink into me. Early mornings are a gift of nature to mankind and I truly mean it. The dawn breaking, chirping of birds, nippy air can get anything to life and renew it, its magical!

While being lost in my daydreaming, here I was on midway stop for my breakfast at Asli Pappu dhaba in Kosi Kalan which is known for its scrumptious parathas topped with homemade white butter and chaanch. A place I can certainly vouch for both in terms of food and its delivery. The place is clean and hygienic and the ambience is decent too. The paranthas tasted just like home and were super quick besides being fresh. In my, opinion this is a must go to place if it is on your itinerary. After my quick breakfast, I started out again on my journey towards the holy city of Mathura which is 183 kms from Delhi by mapping my route on the Taj Express Highway or Yamuna Expressway which actually cuts short your travel time to reach Mathura. Upon entering the city of Mathura by early hours before noon, I decided to check into a hotel which I had already mapped out and booked in advance. I stayed at Centrum Hotel, Brijwasi. The place was spacious and comfortable, I decided after a quick check in, will freshen up and explore the city which will be followed by lunch.

After a quick stop at the hotel I decided to leave and explore the city of Mathura, known for also for its food especially chaat. Oh chaat, how can I give that a miss- so chaat it was for me. As exploratory as I could get, I chose chaat for my lunch menu. Upon asking at the hotel, I learnt that the famous was hing kachori and jalebi which I decided to get at the roadside sweet shop at Shankar sweets. After that I went to Brijwasi sweet shop where I got packed the famous Mathura peda and had golgappe and bhalle papdi chaat. I ate till my heart’s delight…isn’t this what trips are meant for exploring hidden places and their hidden treasured food. Ok after my food quota was done I decided to go for holy excursion. My first stop was the Shri Krishna Janambhoomi Temple, which is one of the holy Hindu pilgrimage as it is believed to the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The temple was a beauty to see. My next stop was the Kesava Deo temple which is another holy place for the Hindus and is located near the main Krishna Janambhoomi complex. This is a unique Krishna temple as it has its own festival calendar which are all carried out within the temple’s premises. Though I wanted to see many other shrines too but I choose to make my final stop at Banke Bihari temple which is again dedicated to Lord Krishna and his life. The temple’s premises are majestic and I am sure in their heydays the temple’s grandeur would have attracted a lot of people. The other temples one could certainly try and explore, which I missed out due to the timings to visit them that clashed, are Prem Mandir which is known for its architectural grandeur, Nidhivan Temple which chronicles the childhood of Lord Krishna and it’s a beauty to capture, ISKON or Shri Krishna Balaram Mandir, Radha Vallabh Temple which was established some 450 years ago, Priyakant temple which I was told was something of an architectural marvel to see in Mathura, Radha Ramanan temple, Govind Devji Temple which is a replicate of Jaipur’s Govind Devji temple, Jugal Kishore temple which is situated on the banks of river Yamuna. I was also told to see the Baba Jaigurudev Temple which is not amongst the famous temple but is known for its beauty which was inspired by the Taj Mahal, another one was the Dwarkadhish Temple which was a reminiscence of Lord Krishna moving to Dwarika for the latter part of his life. Truly the city has its charm and old world grandeur when it comes to splendid architecture and preserving its rich cultural heritage.

After a tired day of temple trotting, I decided to retire back to the hotel, sit back and relax before I took my final plunge to see first-hand the Mathura Kumbh which is said to attract a huge gathering of devotees who come at this time of the year to take the holy dip in river Yamuna and set onto their pilgrimage. This was going to be my first-hand experience of smaller Kumbh compared to one that takes place in Allahabad and I was truly excited to witness it.

The next day, I was brimming with excitement, but as I was told by the hotel staff to be safe and unless I wanted to go and take the holy dip, I was warned to watch it all from a distance. Though, with the recent situation of corona in place, I wanted to observe caution and decided to maintain distance even while in the public places. From a distance, in the early morning hours, I could see the devotees come out and gather for the Kumbh marking the beginning of holy days. The arrangements made by the authorities for the devotees who had come for the pilgrimage were very well organized and taken care of, right from helplines to food, water and first aid arrangements. It made me feel how much our culture and values held us together as one despite the global pandemic. The spirit we Indians have is second to none and it can never be shadowed no matter what the situation, we only come out stronger as people, as community. 

After a different and surreal experience of the Mathura Kumbh, I decided to head further for my journey the same day to Firozabad, ahead of Mathura approximately little over an hour on the Taj Expressway. Firozabad is a town not many would have as a destination on their itinerary but surprisingly, little did I know the town is famous for glassworks right from your bangles to glass décor pieces and even your lamps, chandeliers are an artistic marvel from Firozabad. Since I reached the place well in time, I decided to explore the market to buy some colorful bangles for myself and guess what I was in for a delight, all I saw was only bangles and bangles and more bangles around me all kinds of designs in glass you could possibly wish for. I brought few glass bangles for myself and friends and family as they would be a perfect give to give your loved ones but I could not resist buying some colorful glass bottles and decoration pieces which I had mentally mapped their location in my house. Ah! What an experience.

My next quick stop had to be now for food where I chose the most vouched options by the locals called Vatika Vegetarian restaurant which served home like pure vegetarian meal and since I was hungry I decided to go with my all-time favourites dal tadka, veg jalfrezi and butter roti. The food was good quality, hygienically prepared and yummy. The last I decided to complete my meal was with gulab jamun and the word I have for it was yum, a complete meal and worth every penny. After this, it was time for excursion, I headed straight to Shri Hanuman Temple as it is said to be built like a monastery by Bajirao Peshwa 2 during the Maratha rein. It was truly unbelievable how a temple was carved in the shape of a monastery. Since I had been to enough temples in Mathura I decided to give Vaishno devi Temple, Jain Mandir and Mata Leela Temple a miss, which are other temple sites in Firozabad, instead after the Hanuman temple which I visited purely for its splendor and  built, I decided to make my next stop at Kotla Fort which is currently in ruins but is a reflection of the bygone era and its imposing structure which is a witness to the great times it was built in. The area around the fort is covered in lush greenery and is huge. I could only stand there and imagine what great times it must have been living in that era and witnessing all of it first-hand. Another piece of history that I decided to give a miss but deserves a mention is Chandravar Gate which was earlier Raja Chandravar Fort but what remains of it is only a gate now which plays a witness to its rich heritage and times it was built in. It is said that here a war between Mohammad Ghori and Jayachand was fought. Leaving this out, I decided to head to Sofi Sahab Manzar, which is on the banks of river Yamuna and is the Makvara of Sufi Shahe, one of the main attractions in town. It was quiet and peaceful, I spent some time sitting here and then decided to head back to the hotel. I had made my reservation at Hotel Parador, which is believed to be one of the best hotels in town and comfortable too. After a long day of witnessing the kind of splendor both the cities housed was so different yet unique from each other it was time to retire to my hotel room, snuggle in my cozy bed, give my feet some rest for another exciting journey the next day, I was looking forward to. Therefore, I ordered some hot vegetable soup and small bite size titbits for meal and just rest.

My next stop on the itinerary was unheard of – the place was- Bithoor which has only found it mention in the history textbooks and is steeped in history. The city is in Kanpur district and approximately 4hours from Firozabad. We decided to take the Lucknow expressway to reach Bithoor. Bithoor is not a place many would like to make a stop at and explore but if culture and history is something that interests you, you should plan a trip to Bithoor. About 22 kms from Kanpur, Bithoor a scenic town sits on the banks of river Ganga. The town dates back to ancient times and finds its mention in legends and fables. By the time I reached, it was almost time for lunch therefore, I settled for a vegetarian thali at a small dhaba in town which was worth every penny, clean and prepared meals hygienically and then set out to explore the town. Bithoor was chosen as his abode by Lord Brahma who upon destruction of the galaxy by Lord Vishnu, decided to come and settle at Bithoor, it was here that he created mankind and also finished his Ashwamedh yajna. Because of these events the place came to be known as Brahmavarta from which the name Bithoor was derived. Later the town flourished under Emperor Uttanpad whose son Dhruv performed penance to appease Lord Brahma. The place also finds its roots in Ramayana, as it is said that it was here Rishi Valmiki sat and wrote the epic Ramayana and also this was the place where Lord Rama left Sita after her tragic capture by Ravana. This is also the holy place where Sita gave birth to her twins Lav and Kush and it is here they spent their childhood under the guidance of saint Valmiki and this was also the place where they were united with their father Lord Rama therefore, this place is also called Ramale. Steeped in history and mythology, the modern Bithoor also played a significant role as it was the birth place of Manikarnika who later became Rani Laxmi Bai and fought for India’s freedom, playing a key role in revolt of 1857. The place with its rich history of the bygone era has amalgamated well with modern times and has also preserved its rich culture and history.

Some notable places to see in Bithoor are Valmiki Ashram, where sage Valmiki sat and wrote Ramayana, Brahmghat, the holiest ghat in Bithoor which witnesses pilgrims throughout the year, Patthar Ghat and Dhruva Teela where Dhruv had meditated on one leg during his childhood. Visiting these places, filled me with mixed emotion and also a great sense of pride towards my country. These experiences can deeply touch you when you visit such places which are still unheard of and have so much to teach you of our rich vibrant country. The other places worth mentioning are Ram-Janki Temple, Lav-Kush Temple, Haridham Ashram, Nana Saheb Samarak, Jahangir Mosque, Massacre Ghat, JK Temple and if you like wildlife you must pay a visit to Bithoor’s own Moti Jheel and Allen Forest Zoo to name a few. The town is quaint and laid back in narrow thin old alleys of the past and people of Bithoor would like to have it that way only. It was now time to retire back to my hotel room in Hotel The Down Town which offered lip smacking food and comfortable stay. I decided to head back and have a heart meal at the hotel as it offered me more choices since Bithoor was more on the rich legacy side than food.

The experience was something that deeply touched me and before this trip made me realize what all I had missed in all these years of not even knowing what all my country possessed. The serene beauty and charm of Bithoor had completely overwhelmed me and taken me by very pleasant surprise as this was one place which I had under-rated but it really left me overwhelmed with its narrative on history and all that it had to offer. So far it has been a memorable experience which I am going to carry back me with as beautiful memories for years to come.

Next day next adventure, I set out for another destination of Chitrakoot, another holy and religious place which is approximately little over 4 hours from Bithoor. Chitrakoot is a district in itself which has two major towns of Chitrakoot Dham and Karwi. The town is situated in North Vindhya ranges and has an important place in Hindu mythology and the Ramayana. As legends have it, it is believed that Chitrakoot was the place where Lord Rama with his wife Sita and brother Laxmana spend 11 years in exile out of their 14 years, making it a revered pilgrim site for devotees and travellers. If mythology and legends are to be believed,according to Ramayana, Chitrakoot was the place where Bharata, brother of Ram came to visit Ram and ask him to come back to Ayodhya and rule the kingdom. It is also believed that the principal gods of Hindus, (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) took incarnations here. This divine city is also known as the 'Hill of many wonders' and it totally justifies the name. Chitrakoot mountain range has numerous places of great religious importance like Bharat Milap Temple, Hanuman Dhara, Janki Kund and much more. It is indeed the gift of nature and the gods.

Ramghat is a significant ghat where Lord Ram appeared in front of Tulsidas and gave him his blessings. Not very far is the Sita's kitchen where Lady Sita extended hospitality to various sages and saints. Chitrakoot is also believed to be the place where the Holy Trinity - Lords Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva, took their incarnations on earth. Lord Brahma also chose this site to light 108 fires before creating the universe. Now only a pit remains to mark the once-grand fire, known as Yagya Vedi.

Chitrakoot is also the place where Goswami Tulsidas, author of 'The Ramcharitmanas', spent many years of his life. There are many lively fairs which are organized on different occasions and festivals. Not many know that Chitrakoot is also home to the only university in the world specially made for the differently-abled, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University. The other noteworthy places to visit, if you have time are, Gupt Godavari-this is a pair of caves, in which there is a tiny entrance, through which one can barely pass. Water trickles down in streams through the other cave, which can rise up to the length of our knees. It is said that Lord Rama and Lakshman once held their secret meetings, which is validated apparently by the throne like structures present in the cave. Sati Anusuya Temple which houses beautiful tableaus displaying scenes from the Ramayana, Kamadgiri is an ancient temple where people perform  circumambulation around the whole hill, which is considered very sacred, Sphatik Shila is a place with two massive rocks which are believed to have the footprints of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. Sphatik Shila literally means crystal rock and is located amidst dense forests, close to Janki Kund on the banks of river Mandakini.It is said that Sita and Rama were relaxing here and a crow pecked the feet of goddess Sita which agitated lord Rama and he took off the eyes of the crow, however the crow was actually a form of Jayant, son of Lord Indra.

Now it was time for me to retire for the day and head straight back to the hotel. I headed straight to Bindiram by ShriGo Hotel where my prior booking for stay was made and realizing there was not something extraordinary to explore in terms of food, I decided to go for an ala-carte meal at the hotel. My stay at the hotel was safe, hygienic and comfortable.

Next day exploring new adventure I had to head to Vindhyachal, which was next on my list and is approx. 4 hours from Chitrakoot in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. It is a small laid back town tucked away between lush greenery and history. Vindhyachal is about Maa Vindhyavasini Temple from where it also derives its name. The temple holds great spiritual significance and faith for its devotees. Situated on the bank of the holy river Ganga, people take a dip into the river, with the belief that this will let them wash away their sins and they can start a new life thereafter.

Next stop was theAshtabhuja temple- this temple is dedicated to goddess Saraswati who is mostly associated with literature or Vidya. Ashtabhuja, Lord Krishna's sister, had been running from Kansa's trap who tried to kill her and finally found a shelter here. (3km from Vindhyavasini temple) and Kali khoh temple which is dedicated to Maa Kaali  and is in the form of a cave. Goddess Kali is believed to be incarnated to kill the demon Raktabeej who had a boon that every droplet of his blood will give birth to another Raktabeej right away. This made killing the demon extremely difficult. It is believed that Ma Kali stretched her tongue all over the ground and licked all the blood and swallowed all his duplicates.(2km from Vindhyavasini temple) are the three main temples and visiting these temples forms a trikona parikrama which is a common ritual here. Vindhyachal looks amazingly beautiful during navratras and other festivals. Also, there are Kajali competitions that are held here in the month of June.

Then there is Sita Kund- according to the story of Sita Kund, while returning home from the exile goddess Sita felt thirsty and thus, Lord Lakshman pierced an arrow into the ground from where the water came out of it in the form of a fountain. Another one is Ramgaya Ghat is at a distance of about 2km from Vindhyachal and is believed to be the place where Lord Ram offered prayers for the attainment of peace for his demised fathers soul. Another noteworthy place is Kankali temple which got its name from Kankal which means skeleton and Maa Kali. It is said that when asuri sena attacked Maa Durga who is known for her calm and smiling face, turned into Ma Kali due to the fury and agitation and held their heads.Her anger was so extreme that the whole body got dried up and only skeleton remained.

Since the town was small and a pilgrim place I could cover most of the places in the same day and understand the life of the people who lived in perfect harmony and led their life in harmony with religious beliefs which they followed even in their day to day life. Simple with an old world charm, I don’t think this town would have been on my radar unless I was curious to read more about it when I first saw it on the map and it instantly made me feel I should cover it and here I am discovering something extraordinary.

My stop for the day was at Hotel Galaxy which ensured all safety measure and comfort and served not very contemporary dishes but mainly Indian which was palatable for me after a long day of exploration.

My last place and final destination of this trip was Lucknow, the capital and heritage city of Uttar Pradesh which is also the states’ pride. I was so looking forward to it as not only was I in for a great surprise in terms of cultural heritage but also food for which Lucknow has carved out its own niche in the country, what more could I have asked for, I am super excited and looking forward to it. I had decided to dedicate two full days to Lucknow so that I do not miss out on either food or places to see.

My first place to visit was none other than Bara Imambara. Counted among the top historical places in Lucknow, Bara Imambara aka Asafi Imambara is a historical monument that dates back to 1784. Built by Asaf-ud-Daula, one of the renowned Nawabs of Awadh, the complex comprises a large mosque (Asfi Mosque), a labyrinth (the Bhul Bhulaiya), and a stepwell with running water (Shahi Baoli). The structure boasts of two large gateways that will lead you to the central hall, which is touted to be the largest vaulted chamber in the world. 

The next was Chota Imambara purely for its majestic beauty and grandeur. The imposing historical structure of Chota Imambara was built in 1838 by Muhammad Ali Shah, the third Nawab of Awadh. Also called Imambara Hussainabad Mubarak, it was initially built as a congregation hall for the devotees of the Shia community. However, the place later served as the mausoleum for the Nawab as well as his mother. The interiors of the structure are beautifully ornamented with chandeliers and crystal lamps brought from Belgium which earned it the moniker ‘the Palace of Lights’. The exteriors feature elements of intricate Islamic calligraphy, adding to its visual appeal.

Another place worth visiting is the British residency, also called the Residency and the Residency Complex, the British Residency is a complex of buildings that once served as the residence of the British Resident General. Constructed in the last quarter of the 18^th century, the place served home to over 3000 British residents during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Currently, the Residency is in ruins and is a protected monument under the Archeological survey of India.

Next was Rumi Darwaza for those who want to witness the grandeur of the Awadhi style of architecture, make your way to the Rumi Darwaza, an imposing gateway located between Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara. This gateway built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula is about 60-feet tall and is generally used as the logo for Lucknow city. Since the gate is modeled after the Sublime Porte in Istanbul, it is sometimes referred to as the Turkish Gate. Located adjacent to the Rumi Darwaza, Husainabad Clock Tower is another heritage monument dotting the cityscape of Lucknow. Built in 1881 by the Hussainabad Trust at a cost of 1.75 lakhs, this 221-feet structure is modeled after the Big Ben Clock Tower of London. The clock is designed like a flower with 12 petals and its pendulum is 14 feet long.  Popular as the tallest clock tower in the country, it displays the Gothic and Victorian styles of architecture.

The other is the Chattar Manzil or Umbrella Palace, which once served as the residence for the Awadhi rulers and their wives, is another must-visit tourist places in Lucknow. Just as the name suggests, the building features an umbrella-shaped dome. The structure displays elements from various styles of architecture, the most important of them being the European style. Currently, the building serves as a government office yet it is visited by travelers on account of its architectural beauty.

Yet another beautiful site nestled in the green bounty and located on the banks of the River Gomti, is Dilkusha Kothi. This Kothi is the remains of a house that was built in the early 19^th century. Built in the English baroque style of architecture, the building once served as the hunting lodge and summer resort of the Nawabs. Nothing much is left of the building today, except for the external walls, a few towers, and a beautiful garden. However, due to its historical significance and architectural grandeur, Dilkusha Kothi has earned a place in the list of Lucknow tourist places but people come here to enjoy the scenic beauty.

Another place of pilgrim dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Chandi, a form of Durga, is the Chandrika Devi Temple is among the must-visit temples in Lucknow. The shrine, which is located on the banks of River Gomti, is believed to be about 300 years old. Goddess Chandi, the presiding deity of the temple, is worshipped here in the form of a stone with three heads. Known for its spiritual vibes, the temple is visited by devotees all through the year and especially during the festival of Navaratri.

Another gem in the list of Lucknow tourist places in the Jama Masjid. Like all other masjids in the country, it is a spiritual center for Muslim devotees. But that’s not all. This 19^th-centuary edifice is a visual treat and one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in the city. A key highlight here is the giant pillars that feature Hindu and Jain carvings. Next was the Constantia House, when you want to witness the architectural grandeur of the British era, you must make a visit to the Constantia House. It is part of the renowned La Martiniere College, one of the premier educational institutions in the city. The building houses the tomb of Major Claude Martin, the French general who started its construction way back in 1785. Considered to be the largest European funerary monument in the country, the Constantia House exhibits an unusual mix of architectural styles.

Last but not the least is an iconic watchtower called, Satkhanda which is an incomplete, four-storied structure that dates back to the 1800s. King Mohammed Ali Shah who started the construction of the building planned it to be a watchtower with seven stories but could complete only four due to his untimely demise. The design of this red-brick tower shows influences of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which makes it one of the interesting monuments to visit in Lucknow.

Besides this if you love visiting the museums Lucknow has the State Museum to offer to you, which echoes the rich history and also some beautiful parks like the Ambedkar Park which is beautifully built, Ram Manohar Lohiya Park, Gomti Riverfront Park, Janeshwar Mishra park which are some noteworthy parks in the city.

For shopping one can certainly explore Aminabad market which has a range of variety in Lucknowi Chicken design and a host of other things.

As we all know Lucknow is famous for Tunday Kebabs which have a non-vegetarian and also vegetarian version. Other famous delicacies of Lucknow that should be on your top priority when you visit the city are Nihari and Kulcha, Idris ki Biryani in Chowk area will be something in biryani you have never tried before. All kinds of chaat which are available in the city but one you should not miss out are Basket chaat which is made with deep fried basket which as mashed potatoes, peas, tikki, chutney and lots of garnish. Another noteworthy item is Nimish also known as Daulat Ki Chaat, Makkhan Malai or Lab-e-Mashook. An extremely light cream with saffron and rose flavours, it is the dessert of Lucknow that you must try in winters. The flavours of the dish are so rich that every bite melts smoothly in your mouth. If you want to grab the best Nimish, head to Chowk area.

The Awadhi biryani was a discovery made by the tenth rule of the Awadh or Oudh dynasty. Wahid's Biryani is a small restaurant that sells what is known as 'the best biryani in Lucknow'. Although the restaurant is a bit small, it does not matter since the mouth-watering biryani is all the reason you need to go here. 
The Awadhi biryani is made of meat and rice. They are cooked separately and then mixed over dum. The flavours are very light but together they pack quite a punch. The biryani is absolutely sinful and often the cheat meal of all Lucknowis.

Khasta Kachori which is a deep-fried crispy kachoris with hot aloo chole ki sabzi, then you must try Ratti Lal’s Khasta Kachori in Maqbool Ganj. You will find the best Khasta Kachori here with chole ki sabzi and spicy aloo that will give you a mouth-watering experience. One bite of this Khasta Kachori and you will feel like a king because of its taste. Another popular dish is Sheermal, a sweetbread of Nawabi cuisine, Sheermal is like any other naan that’s baked to perfection in tandoor. Infused with saffron flavours, sheermal is best served with spicy dishes to balance the flavours. However, you can enjoy the dish as it is too. You can get the best Sheermal in Chowk are.

Raja Thandai for those who are obsessed with milk-made foods will swear by Thandai, a drink that’s popularly enjoyed during Holi as it cools the stomach. Whenever you are in Lucknow, you must try Raja Thandai that has been serving this herbal concoction for over 100 years. Another favorite sweet combination for the city residents is imarti Rabdi, this combination is a sweet bomb that you must try in Lucknow when talking about the legendary Nawabi food. You can get this sweet delight anywhere in Lucknow; however, Moti Mahal serves the best imarti-jalebi combination and the taste will make your mouth.

Next on your list should be Chappan Bhog Sweets if you are one with a sweet tooth. This Lucknow food place has been an undisputed king of the sweetmeat world. With a wide range of attractively decorated mithai available in front of your eyes, anyone can get tempted. Made from unadulterated milk and milk products, you can vouch on their quality and taste, even with your eyes blindfolded.

The place is a heaven for quintessential foodie in you, one needs to make a trip to Lucknow for just its food atleast once in a lifetime.

As my trip was coming to a close, I suddenly felt I did not want to go back and keep exploring more and more as there are very rare chances you get when you get to explore so many facets outside of your daily life around you that tough you deeply. My trip has been memorable and worth chronicling as it was a mix of diversity, steeped in history, mythology, legends and also pilgrimage which left me both overwhelmed and spellbound. Some places touch you deeply this trip brought out the same in me.

My overall experience across the different places in the state has been more than satisfactory as almost all places right from small towns to big cities all followed the hygiene and safety standards. The places were safe to travel and offered ample opportunities for me as a tourist to explore, eat and stay. Overall for me it was an enriching experience and I am taking back lot and lots back as memories with me through this trip.

My final journey will be back to Delhi from Lucknow which will have different pit stops and mainly routing through the same Taj expressway which is fast and safe.