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Train Tour » About Palace On Wheels
About Palace On
Wheels
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Palace on wheels is a journey worthy of Kings. No wonder the experience
is labelled the Palace on Wheels. With its cream saloons, with a border
of flowers, chug through Rajasthan on a journey through the former royal
kingdom of this state. Once ruled by kings whose presence lingers on its
forbidding fortress, and fairytale palaces, now converted into museums and
hotels, and restaurants where retainers serve truly royal repasts. Newly
assembled at the coach factory in Madras, it is fully vestibuled and centrally
airconditioned, truely a palace on wheels.
Each
Coach named after the former princely states, has 4 twin bedded chambers, thoughtfully
decorated in ethnic Rajasthani décor. Channel Music, Intercom, Attached
washrooms with hot & cold water and Wall to Wall carpeting are some of the
facilities to make you feel at home. Each saloon has personal attendants or Khidmatgars,
who are at your beck and call to extend a courteous helping hand, should you need
anything.
These Coaches include:
Alwar Saloon:
Located
strategically, Alwar is the gateway to Rajasthan from Delhi. With a turbulent
history spanning back to the medieval era. Alwar has been an important place of
trade and commerce. Bestowed by nature with a unique habitat comprising of forests
and deep valleys. Alwar is home to several species of flora and fauna. The ceiling
of the Alwar Saloon lounge has been done aesthetically in mix-media of cone work,
and oils in relief, depicting a hunting scene. The royal emblem and a miniature
adorn the lounge. Subtle tones of pink enhance the romantic ambience of the lounge..
Bharatpur Saloon:
Maharaja Suraj Mal, the valiant Rajput King
who was admired for his chivalry and courage, had his abode here, in Bharatpur.
Once a fortified township, Bharatpur is now an ornithologist paradise, and well
known for the Bharatpur water-bird sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to over 376
avian species. Echoing the vividness of nature's gift to Bharatpur the relief
work on this Saloon depicts various species of birds on the tree of life. A replica
of the royal crest of Bharatpur adorns the valance of the blind. The 'nature'
theme is further endorsed by the white cedar inlay work depicting birds and painted
peacocks, sitting on a haveli worked on a mirror. The colour scheme, with its
profusion of beige and aqua green, is a vivid reminder of lush green forests of
Bharatpur and Ghana.
Bikaner Saloon:
The state of Bikaner came
into being 1486 A.D. when Rao Bika set out to carve a separate kingdom for himself.
The colour scheme of the lounge has been motivated by the opulent coronation rooms
in burning red and gold of the Anup Mahal and Padam Mahal of the Junagarh fort.
The royal state crest is placed on the valance along with some handicrafts of
Rajasthan. The ceiling is done up in relief work and oil painting on canvas depicting
the legendary lovers Dhola & Maru on Camel back. The artwork in the lounge
belongs to the Mughal influenced Bikaner School of Art styles.
Bundi
Saloon:
The quaint little state of Bundi lies cradled on the hills, east of Mewar.
The palace complex of Bundi towers above the township. An imposing structure;
it is approached by long paved ramp that ascends to the Hathi Pol, and is
depicted in water colour work in one of the bedrooms. The famous Ragmala
also called Rag Ragini, paintings of Bundi have been highlighted through
oil paintings on canvas and are placed on the ceilings. The royal crest
is highlighted on the valance. The famous Bundi School of painting is depicted
in the famed and mounted art pieces and also serves as the basis for the
colour scheme and overall décor, including a delightfully frescoed
ceiling.
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