As I boarded the ‘Shatabdi Express’ from New Delhi early in the foggy January morning along with my wife and children to reach Lalitpur, my thoughts recalled the earlier Bhitargaon visit. I remembered those dear friends who though not seemingly keen enough, but upon having somehow been persuaded with passionate descriptions about the temple, had then accompanied me.  I had then needed company since I was not very sure about the exact routes and modes of travel and did not want to wander alone. The journey was a long one as the roads to Bhitargaon were in a pathetic state of disrepair, and the bus we took from Kanpur happened to be quite rickety. 

All along the jerky bus ride on the way to Bhitargaon, thoroughly resounding with folk musical numbers rendered aloud in the highest volume, my friends had been looking at me wondering as to what drove me into choosing such extraordinary adventures and peculiar liking for old ruined spots. As we reached the Temple with much effort, I was very excited to witness the past Glory of the Gupta Period and got engrossed in analyzing the details of the surviving terracotta panels on the sides of the ancient temple. After some time it was funny to notice some villagers who had gathered around from the vicinity and were glancing at us full of surprise since the site which appeared quite insignificant to them having been out of worship since long, was witnessing a visit by some unknown young tourists. 

To be continued.....