Second edition of ‘The Riding Chapters’ begins as 80 bikers set off from 1090 Chauraha
‘Visit My State Uttar Pradesh’ initiative promotes adventure tourism; Chunar Fort, Devdari and Rajdari waterfalls among key destinations
UPSTDC MD Ashish Kumar flags off two-day journey
Lucknow, August 2026 : Sarnath, the centre of Buddhist heritage; historic Chunar Fort; and the picturesque Devdari and Rajdari waterfalls, which come alive during the monsoon, are emerging as new attractions for adventure tourism. Uttar Pradesh Tourism has designed a special weekend journey connecting these destinations for young people and biking enthusiasts.
On Saturday, 80 bikers embarked on a two-day journey from Lucknow under the second edition of ‘The Riding Chapters’. Through the ‘Visit My State Uttar Pradesh’ campaign, the Tourism Department is seeking to bring greater recognition to the state’s rich but relatively lesser-known destinations that have so far remained outside the mainstream tourism circuit.
Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC) Managing Director Ashish Kumar flagged off the two-day motorcycle expedition from 1090 Chauraha at 8 a.m. Lucknow Chief Development Officer Prafull Kumar Sharma was also present on the occasion.
The group will travel through Sultanpur and Jaunpur before reaching the Buddhist heritage site of Sarnath. From there, the bikers will proceed towards Chunar. The journey will provide participants with an opportunity to explore the historical and natural attractions of eastern Uttar Pradesh at close quarters.
Chunar Fort: A Sentinel of History on the Ganga
Historic Chunar Fort, situated along the banks of the Ganga, is an important stop on the journey. The fort has witnessed several phases of Indian history, from the reign of Sher Shah Suri to the Mughal and British periods.
Known for its massive stone walls, strategic importance and imposing location overlooking the Ganga, Chunar Fort represents the rich historical legacy of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Efforts are being made to further develop its tourism potential and bring the destination to a wider audience.
Better Connectivity Opening Up New Tourism Destinations
UPSTDC Managing Director Ashish Kumar said improved connectivity and a safe travel environment in Uttar Pradesh are making it easier for tourists to access new and lesser-known destinations.
He said the ‘Visit My State Uttar Pradesh’ initiative seeks to connect young people with such destinations through adventure and first-hand experiences.
According to Kumar, the initiative will give visitors an opportunity to discover experiences linked to history, nature, culture and adventure beyond the state’s better-known tourist destinations.
From Faith to Adventure
After an overnight stay, the bikers will depart from Kashi Anandam on Sunday for the next leg of their journey. The group will visit Shooltankeshwar Mahadev Temple, where participants will seek blessings and attend the Ganga Aarti before proceeding towards the Devdari and Rajdari waterfalls.
Located amid dense forests and lush greenery, Devdari and Rajdari waterfalls are at their most spectacular during the monsoon season. The second day of the expedition will therefore combine the excitement of motorcycling with an immersive experience of nature and adventure tourism.
Bringing Lesser-Known Destinations onto the Tourism Map
The first edition of ‘The Riding Chapters’ was organised earlier this month from Lucknow to Kalinjar Fort. Following the successful response to the inaugural motorcycle expedition, the second edition was flagged off on Saturday.
Under the ‘Visit My State Uttar Pradesh’ campaign, the Tourism Department is using carefully planned road journeys to introduce travellers to the state’s heritage sites and lesser-known destinations.
The initiative aims to showcase these locations through experiential travel and gradually bring them onto the mainstream tourism map, while encouraging young travellers to explore Uttar Pradesh beyond conventional tourist circuits.
