Shahi Qila, Jaunpur, INDIA

Sounds like 'downpour'.  Qila = 'fort'.

We left Prayagraj on time at 09.10, but didn't get to Jaunpur till around 13.00.  It's a tiny place so no direct motorway connection.  Spent about an hour there exploring the fort, the Atala Masjid (mosque), and the Shahi Pul, or Shahi Bridge.  There was no more time to see the Jama Masjid, or main mosque, one of the largest in the entire country, but no matter as I've already seen several mosques, but still a little sorry we had no time for it.

After another 1.5 hours of bad roads and bad road etiquette (dual carriageway, and the lane for oncoming traffic is also the overtaking lane for 'ongoing' traffic), we finally reached Varanasi ... and what a busy place it is!  Vehicles literally cheek-by-jowl on the road, and they can't drive fast anyway because it's so crowded, but they do try to, which is what makes it so dangerous.  The Rajput had to park in a parking area and I was picked up there by someone from the Guesthouse, which we went to on foot.

Have been communicating the whole evening alternately with AW (Sweed had a little 'luxurious' problem that required joint assistance from both AW and myself) and with Mimi, who is in the process of resolving her problem with The Butcher.  In between the chats and the rather precarious Internet connection, I managed to grab a bite to eat in the restaurant and, later, to take a stroll along the Ganges to enjoy the evening air and to see what the crowds were busy with further along the quay.  There were prayers going on, and there were just so many people.  Took some shots which thankfully turned out well.

Tomorrow, I'll be moving to another room.  I'll also be fetched at 07.30 for a boat ride to witness the morning prayer rituals.  In the meantime ... thank you all for dropping by and leaving a comment, star, or heart, and I hope you don't mind tagging along this way.