By Manonita Roy (29thApril, 2008)
The sleek blue 21 coach, over half a km long train, streaked with gold and
sporting its imperial looks, pulled into Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji
Terminus (CST) overlooing curious onlookers at the station. The journey is
no less than traversing on wonderland. Inside the train there are staff
smartly dressed in Peshwa style who bear the luggage and show way to
individual lounge. The train travel across the heart of India, through the
land of the brave Marathas on a luxury of regal era.
Corrdiors are finely wood-panelled with subtle shades of beige and gold.
The coupes come with gauzy tissue curtains fluttering against the large
striking windows, a comfortable double bed wrapped with a matching bedsheet
and all other imaginable facilities.
Deccan Odyssey is a huge 32 crore joint venture of the Maharashtra Tourism
Develpoment Corporation and the Indian Railways with onboard hospitality
handled by the Taj Group of Hotels. Impeccable hospitality astonish
travelers. The train travels through mist wreathed hills at Jaigadh,
Ganapatipule and Ratnagiri. One can stroll at the Jaigarh fort and have luch
on sandy beach of Ganapatipule. Day three travel to Sindhudurg, Tarkarli and
Sawantwadi and with the dawn of fourth day reach the fun filled Goa. Fifth
day journey is the busiest when the train venture to Kolhapur town and one
can see the Palace Museum, Bhavani Mandap, Mahalaxmi Temple and Shalini
Palace. Enjoy the cultural program and visit the handicraft stalls. The
richest heritage travel is on the sixth day when the train travels to
Aurangabad and Ellora cave tour. Along with that Bibi ka Maqbara and Shivaji
Musuem has to be covered.
The sojourn to different places of Maharashtra shows a luxury travel at
every steps, experience spas to panel doctors. The seventh day the train
chug down back to Victoria Terminus with glimpses of shining Maharashtra.
Related Links
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Palace On Wheels
Royal Orient India
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