Palace on Wheels - A fairy tale journey

Exploring the great treasures of Rajasthan on Palace on Wheels was just ravishing. Traversing through the jagged and desert panorama, enjoying the vision of huge fortifications and palaces that are queer in their splendor, merged with the royal decor and services offered on board, makes my cruiser with Palace on Wheels- a fairytale journey.

There is no better way to rendezvous the cultural heartland of India -Rajasthan- than by the Palace on Wheels. I, along with my family visited India on my 3-week leisure tour. I was suggested by the tourist department, that 'Palace on Wheel' is the best means to explore the cities of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra under one package.

Our fairy tale ride started from New Delhi 17:45 hrs. We were welcomed by offering garlands and performed a ceremonial welcome at the Delhi Cantonment Railway Station from where the journey started. For the next 7 days, we were living in royal grandeur as the train winds its way. I could read from the brochures that the whole abstraction of this luscious train was reclaimed from the royal background of the coaches, which were primarily designed to be the personal railway coaches of the former emperor of the princely states of Rajastgan, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the British Viceroy to India. It is one of the ten best luxurious rail journeys in the world.

My wife, Christina, simply adored the royal ambience on the board, depicting the era of princes and kings. The facilities on Palace on Wheels are the mark of profusion and luxuriance. The train is self-sufficient with all the modern amenities.

This royal train had the facility of a saloons named after the princely states of Rajasthan, 2 dining cars emitting a rich Rajasthani delicacy, bar cum lounge, beautifully decorated bed rooms, libraries, shopping, indoor games and a stock of many other facilities are provided on board. The ambience of the Maharaja (king) and Maharani (the Queen) restaurants is just magnificent, it offers seating arranged in-groups of 2 and 4 with an exquisite view of countryside outside the window. The attendants are always there with their most courteous service and chefs in the attached pantry preparing Continental and Indian specialties, with an emphasis on the cuisine of Rajasthan. My children enjoyed Indian specialties like Puri- an Indian bread, sweet dessert- yea, I remember the name, they called it halwa and the Tandoori Chicken.

I was wonder struck that every saloon has its own personal attendant dressed in typical Rajasthani costume who ensured our journey to be most commodious and gratifying. My younger daughter was totally fascinated by his well-maintained big mustache.

The 8 days and seven nights dream ride in royal splendor took us to the territory of Maharajas, the 'Pink City' of Jaipur; 'the jewel of the desert'-Jaisalmer; Jodhpur; Sawai Madhopur for the Ranthambore National Park; the city of Chittaurgarh; Udaipur-famous for its lakes and Lake Palaces; Bharatpur-eminent for its migratory bird population; Bikaner; Alwar- the gateway to Rajasthan from Delhi; Fatehpur Sikri- city written in red poetry; and of course, the Taj Mahal in Agra - the marble prodigy.

At every stoppage there were organized cultural programs in the evenings, performed by well-trained as well as rural artisans like Ghoomer, Pnihari, Agni Nritya or puppet shows and many more, I don't remember the name now. In cultural program at Nahargarh Fort, my wife even participated in one of the folk dances, the whole environ was echoing with the music and traditional songs, fully baptize in true culture of Rajasthan. It was just out of this world experience, I could also capture some of these splendid moments through my handy-cam.

With the whole shebang taken care of from accommodation, dining, sight seeing and shopping, the cruiser arrives in the land of Maharajas douse in the colors, where I experienced the royal life of a Rajput kings and rulers. This royal tour is certainly a once in a lifetime experience.