After a long time I am back blogging. It took me some time after settling out from Nepal on my way to Goa to get the the inspiration to blog again.
My trajectory from Nepal was to get to and go through Bundelkhand, a region I had briefly passed through by car years ago. It comprises a couple of districts in U.P. and a vast area in northern M.P. There has been a popular movement for many years to make Bundelkhand a separate state.
- Bundelkhand is of course famous for Khajuraho and Panna national tiger reserve among other places but now with better connectivity for better or worse, i think some of these more obscure places like the Kalinjar Fort will become mass tourism places in the future.
- It is nice to be in an area that is not blighted by commercialism and ubiquitous screen addiction. People are respectful and direct, maybe somewhat suspicious until they find out who you are.
At a small town called Deora I saw a small but pretty fort and went to investigate. While waiting for the man with the key to finish his puja I ran across these “loafers” gambling. They panicked and folded up, fear of the police I found out later. 
smoked ganja with these guys too.
No doubt these were nice guys and like others I met unemployment is a problem.
KALINJAR FORT
It was a very tough climb after a full day of cycling to get to the top of the hill and the fort. The road surface was good. The ruins of the havelis, water tanks and other building were impressive but the Neelkanth temple was outstanding and not spoiled by tourism.
