An exam trip to Varanasi

Varanasi or Benaras, situauted on the bank of the Ganges is considered to be one of the oldest inhabited cities on Earth. The first time I had set foot on this holy land was in August 2017 when my train decided to change it's route on way to Delhi. I had to get down here and continue my journey to Allahabad on bus. However it was not long when I got my second opportunity to visit this famed city. CSIR NET December 2017. As I was staying in Allahabad, Varanasi was the closest exam centre. Though I was on tight schedule I managed to visit a few spots within the approx. 24 hours I was in the city. So this is my encounter with the holy city.

Walking Through the temples of Khajuraho

19th to 22nd October a long Diwali weekend. I was by then well settled in Allahabad and was eagerly waiting to make a trip to the 17th Indian state on my list - Madhya Pradesh. I planed this two day trip to Khajuraho.

Since no direct trains were available on 19th I got a current reservation ticket till Mahoba aboard the 11108 Bundelkhand Express. The train was scheduled to arrive at 10 pm but was an hour behind in Allahabad. I reached Mahoba at around 4 am next morning. From Mahoba I continued my journey on 22448 UP Sampark Kranti Express. The slip route from Mahoba to Khajuraho takes one across the beautiful Bundelkhand plateau. I reached Khajuraho station at around 7 am. I hopped onto a share auto that would drop me near the Western group of temples 10 km away(auto fare is usually rupees 10 per person for a share ride). 

Khajuraho is located in the Bundelkhand region of Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The town is situated within a picturesque back drop of the Vindhya Mountain Range and is surrounded by Khodar river in the south and Ken river in the northeast.