Top 10 Heritage Caves Temples of India - Religious Significance

India is a land where temples have been built since ages in reverence of different deities. These temples are not only admired for their religious significance but also for their intricate architecture, aesthetic designs , creative approach and most importantly the method of building. Each temple & shrine have their own unique aspect. Scroll down and take a look at some prominent cave temples in India.

Amarnath Cave Temple 

Cave Temple of Lord Amarnath

Located in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Amarnath is a globally renowned cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Between May to August, the Amarnath Yatra draws millions of pilgrims owing to the ice stalagmite that resembles shivalinga.

Trikkur Mahadeva Temple

Trikkur Mahadeva Temple

One of the famous cave temples in Kerala, located near Manali river, Thrikkur Mahadev Temple houses a 6ft natural stone lingam, a form of Lord Shiva. Other deities inside the temple include Lord Ganesh, Ayyappa, Lord Muruga and Parvati.

Elephanta Cave Temple 

Elephanta Cave Temple

Nestled on the Elephanta island, in the state of Maharashtra, Elephanta Cave Temple is a fine specimen of Indian architecture, with its intricate carvings & sculpted art. Emblazoned as UNESCO World Heritage Site, these caves are divided into two groups- five Hindu temples and 2 Buddhist temples.

Patal Bhuvaneshwar 

Patal Bhuvaneshwar,Uttarakhand

A limestone cave temple in the Bhuvaneshwar village of Uttarakhand, Patal  Bhuvaneshwar is believed to be the home of 33 crore gods & goddesses.

Aurangabad Cave Temple 

Aurangabad Cave Temple

Situated atop of a hill in Aurangabad, Aurangabad Cave Temple is a cluster of 12 artificial rock-cut Buddhist temples, segregated into a group of 3.

Lenyandri Cave Temple 

Lenyandri Cave Temple

A series of 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves, Lenyandri Cave Temple, located in Pune, is quite famous for Cave 7 housed with an ‘old Ganesha shrine’. In order to reach there, one has to climb 207 stairs.

Pataleshwar Cave Temple 

Pataleshwar Cave Temple

Located in Pune, the Pataleshwar Cave Temple, built during the 8th century, is carved entirely out of a single stone block and bears resemblance to the rock-cut caves of Ellora.

Ellora Caves 

Sculptures of Buddhas in a Buddhist cave at Ellora

Built somewhere between 600 AD and 900 AD, Ellora Caves, a group of 29 rock-cut caves, stands as a testimony to the religious harmony between Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

Jogeshwari Cave Temple 

Jogeshwari Cave Temple

Named after the goddess Jogeshwari, Jogeshwari Cave Temple boasts of some old temples dedicated to the Hindus and Buddhists. It is believed to be the largest & earliest prominent temples in the country.

Ajanta Cave Temple

Ajanta Cave Temple

Located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, Ajanta Cave Temple boasts of 30 rock-cut cave monuments featuring paintings & sculptures of Buddhist religious art.

Rann Utsav 2015 - 2016

Rann Utsav, Gujarat - A cultural extravaganza organized at different locations within Kutch in Gujarat.

When: 09th November, 2015 to 31th February, 2016

Where: The celebratory festival begins in the Bhuj city and goes around the district with a grand finale again being held at the preliminary destination.

Myriad hues, plethora of colors, vibrant culture, cornucopia of music and dance, all together in Kutch creates a medley of exquisite experiences giving this desert land its identity and spirit of the region. Kutch or Rann Mahotsav is an exquisite demonstration of diverse cultural ethos of the region is known for its ethnic flavor and celebrative zest.

Rann Utsav, Gujarat -  A cultural extravaganza organized at different locations within Kutch in Gujarat.

For those interested in natural history, Kutch is the habitat of the endangered and interesting wildlife species like the Indian wild ass. This district is has wide reputation as a paradise for birdwatchers too. Being one of the most ecologically and ethnically diverse district of the state, Kutch is a celebratory land of art, crafts, music, dance, people and nature. In such destination, celebrations taking place during the full moon night of the winters amid the awe-inspiring and contrasting landscape make the extravaganza unforgettable experience. For more details of the festival and Rann Utsav Tour Packages check out special offers on Rann Utsav Tour Packages from Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd., a 2 time National Tourism Award winning company. 

Christmas Celebrations Around the World

Christmas is still a week away and the world looks like it’s already soaked in the festive spirit. So we thought, why not write an elaborate post on Christmas celebrations around the world. Here goes…

United States

Merry Christmas, New York City

Santa Claus was introduced to the US in 1860 originating from the Dutch word for St. Nicholas. The majority of Americans celebrate with the exchange of gifts and greetings  with family visits. Homes are often decorated with holly mistletoe, lights and a Christmas Tree.

Mexico

Merry Christmas, Mexico

The main Christmas celebration is called La Posada, which is a religious procession that re-enacts the search for shelter by Joseph and Mary before Jesus was born. Santa is only represented by a poinsettia flower for his red suit. Kids receive gifts and bakeries offer traditional treats.

France

Merry Christmas in France

Instead of stockings, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. Instead of a tree, nearly every home displays a Nativity scene with little clay figures called santons or “little saints”. After midnight mass on Christmas Eve, a grand dinner is held.

India

Merry Christmas in India

Being a predominantly Hindu country, Christmas is still a big occasion in India. Most metropolitan cities line up celebratory events in offices, markets and malls. With New Year’s Eve on a week apart, a lot of people prefer to take some time off for the year-end vacation. Christians go to the Church on Christmas eve and light candles and sing at the mass.

Italy 

Merry Christmas in Italy

A strict fast is observed a day before Christmas and ends with an elaborate celebratory feast. On Christmas eve, a single gift is drawn from the urn of fate. At noon on X-mas day, the Pope gives his blessings in the Vatican.

Australia

Merry Christmas in Australia

Due to the very hot weather, some Australians have their Christmas dinner during the day at a local beach on a picnic. In fact, at some of the Australian beaches, Santa even arrives on a surfboard. Carols by Candlelight is yet another Australian tradition.

Africa

Christmas Day begins with carol singers roaming about the village, roadways, the missionaries etc. Homes are decorated with pine branches. Many celebrate by traveling to rivers, beaches or mountains.

Germany

Merry Christmas in Germany

Children leave decorated letters at their windowsills for Christkind, a winged figure dressed in a white robe and golden crown who distributes gifts. Advent wreaths of holly with four red candles in the center are displayed. They light one candle on each Sunday with the last one lit on Christmas eve. Little dolls of fruit are often given as traditional gifts.

Top 10 Things to do in Delhi – Straight From a Real Delhiite!

In comparison to its standing as India’s capital city, Delhi is seen more as a pivotal character in the story of India. It’s like every facet that defines India has something ‘Delhiish’ about it. History, culture, food, nightlife, people, the Metro – Delhi’s got it all. Exploring Delhi can get exhaustive and confusing at times, especially if you are visiting from abroad. Keeping up with our ethic of making things simpler for the discerning traveler, we have enlisted the Top 10 Things to Do in Delhi. Here goes:

When in Delhi, You Have To:

10  - Go to the Connaught Place – loiter in the inner circle, lay down in the Central Park – absorb the city whizzing by.

9 - Take a guided Rickshaw tour of Chandni Chowk. Scenes from the 18th century Walled City will come rushing back. If you have a stomach made of sponge, sample as much food as you can.

8 - Take a guided tour to 5 best monuments in Delhi – the Red Fort, Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar, Hauz Khas Fort and India Gate. Each monument has a story of its own – hence, the guide!

7 - Go to Bengali Market near Connaught Place and eat your heart out – gorging on authentic Indian street food.

6 -  See the evening Qawwali at the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah – quite a sight.

5 - Haggle for a deal with vendors at Janpath – no pain, no bargain!

4 - Visit the Delhi Haat for its wonderful exhibition of Handicrafts from all over the country. And the food’s fantastic.

3 - Ride the Metro – our guests say it’s awesome. Avoid the office hours, though.

2 - Go to the Jama Masjid on Friday afternoon, especially if you’re visiting the holy month of Ramadan – great for a spiritual experience.

1 - Attend as many Indian festivals as you can – there are several all through the year.

[Explore Delhi Tour Packages at IndianHoliday.com]

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Dilli Darshan by HOHO Bus
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Complete Delhi Travel Guide
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Tughlaqabad Fort Travel Guide

Last updated on 17th September 2014 by Nikhil Chandra

Wildlife Tours in India | A Travel Guide

Why Choose India for Wildlife Tours

Wildlife tours is one of the top reasons why people travel to India.

And here are other 9+1 reasons why you should visit India.

India is a land known for its amazing geographical and bio-diversity. Tourists and wildlife enthusiasts from all around the world visit India to rub shoulders with the exotic wildlife species that dot the length and breadth of the Indian jungles. 

Wildlife Tours in India offers ample opportunities to explore these wildlife sanctuaries and national parks which showcases the real world of Indian jungles and put on view some rare and endangered wildlife species that are fast becoming extinct.

Wildlife tours packages in India offer an adventurous trail across renowned wildlife sanctuaries of India with ample opportunities to discover and explore the amazing diversity of flora and fauna species. 

India is home to some of the best wildlife sanctuaries and national parks that features in almost all Indian wildlife travel packages and provide chances to catch the glimpse of elusive and endangered species like Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, Nilgiri Tahr and Elephants.  

Some of the popular wildlife sanctuaries and national parks which tourists should visit during their wildlife vacations in India are as follows:

Corbett National Park

Tigers at Corbett National Park, India's Finest Tiger Reserve

Nestled in the Nainital and Pauri district of Uttarakhand, Corbett National Park is one of the oldest and finest national parks in India and a perfect destination for wildlife tours in India. 

Corbett National Park around 110 tree species, 50 species of mammals, 580 bird species and 25 reptile species and acts as a protected area for highly endangered Bengal tigers. 

You can enjoy the best views of wildlife species through exciting jeep safari.

Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan offers best chances of tiger spotting in India

Located in the deserted state of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest national parks in India and also the park with highest probability to spot the elusive tigers. It is known for housing the highly endangered royal Bengal Tigers. 

Other species of wildlife animals includes leopard, Nilgai, wild boar, dhole, sambar, sloth bear, hyena and chital. There are various resorts and hotels located within or outside the national park which may also offer wildlife safaris for free. 

[Read more about Ranthambore National Park]

Keoladeo National Park

A Playful Painted Stork at Keoladeo National Park which is also referred to as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to over 350 species of avifauna, Keoladeo National Park or the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary needs no introduction. Winter is the best time to visit this bird sanctuary as migratory birds from around the world throng this refuge. 

  

Sariska National Park

Located in the Alwar district of the state of Rajasthan, Sariska is another popular national park and tiger reserves in India. Travelers can enjoy the best views of wildlife by an exciting jeep safari and elephant safari inside the national park. 

There are several other breathtaking attractions housed in this national park such as Sariska Palace, Kankwari Fort and Shiva temple which adds up to your wildlife tour in India.

Kanha National Park 

Kanha National Park is one of the major wildlife sanctuaries situated in Madhya Pradesh. It is an ideal spot for spotting tigers and has been an inspiration for great many writers such as Rudyard Kipling who is said to have taken inspiration from this national park for writing “The Jungle Book”. One of the major attractions of this national park is Bamni Dadar, the sunset point of Kanha. 

Besides some rare and endangered wildlife species, National Parks in India are home to an amazing range of foliage. The best period to visit most wildlife sanctuaries is from November to May when the weather is mild and you can see animals wandering out in the open without any discomfort.

You may plan your wildlife tours in India through http://www.wildlifeindiatours.com/

Reasons Why Should You Choose Indian Maharaja over Orient Express

Venice Simplon Orient Express has set benchmarks for all other luxury trains across the world. It has been designed in true Art Deco style and exude grace, elegance and style.  

Welcome to Indian Maharaja Train

But there is an Indian luxury train with the name of Indian Maharaja-Deccan Odyssey which has been designed to give run over money to the Orient Express. 

The train is a chartered version of the famous Deccan Odyssey and was conceptualized by Travel Corporation of India (TCI). Here are some reasons why you should choose Indian Maharaja over the Orient Express train.

The Indian Maharaja Private lounge

Unlike Venice Simplon Orient Express, Indian Maharaja caters to the business needs of the guests with its 50 seated Conference Car. It is fitted with all the modern amenities such as telephones, computers, printers and fax machines.

Indian Maharaja caters to the health and rejuvenation needs of the guests with its state of the art gymnasium and spa. 

Indian Maharaja has a beauty salon where ladies can visit for a beauty treatment. The benefit of this salon is that it allows you to undergo a complete makeover before heading to some five star/ palace hotel for lunch or dinner. 

Last but not the least, the price is the major factor to choose Indian Maharaja over the Orient Express. Whereas a day trip from Paris to London on board the Orient Express costs around £560, the Indian Maharaja offers two  8 days and 7 nights journeys  beginning from an introductory price of USD 595. 

Ganga Mahotsav To Begin From Saturday

Varanasi: Tomorrow is the inauguration of The 18th Ganga Mahotsav at Rajendra Prasad ghat, which was being held in the city from November 24th  to November 27th 2012.

Chanchal Kumar Tiwari, divisional commissioner, informed that reporters that world-famous names in the classical and semi-classical fields are going to perform during this cultural event which has been organized for 4 days. Some of the names are Ratan Mohan Sharma, Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt, Bhajan Sapori, Banaras Hindu University, a group of the students from the faculty of Performing Arts as well as quite a few local folk artists.

Ganga Mahotsav in Varanai

At the same time, quite a few traditional sports events will also be organized such as Kushti at Assi ghat, Gada, Malkham at Rajendra Prasad ghat, Ganga Marathon (starting from Sant Ravidas ghat to Dashawamedg ghat), Boast race.

Ganga Arti in Varanasi

Along with this, various other events such as solo dance, group dance, folk-classical singing competitions, instrumental music etc will also be organized for the students of a number of schools at Sanskritik Sankul, Chowkaghat.

In the same line of Ganga Mahotsav, Ministry of textile, New Delhi is also organizing Gandhi Shilp Bazaar at Urban Haat (a 10-day fair), Sanskritik Sankul in the last week of November. Tiwari revealed  the prime motive of Shilp Bazaar is the promotion of handicraft as well as handloom products. People who are going to participate in this event are going to come from Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Orissa, Bihar, Kerala, Bihar and so on. They want to come up such kind of a direct platform for the artisans so that they can talk to buyers and exporters on their own. Shilp Bazaar has sent invites to around 200 artisans, some of whom have received awards at state and national level. The ministry also has offered free stalls to 30 handloom artisans along with 150 handicrafts artisans.

Five Best Romantic Destinations for Honeymooning in Winters

Winter- this time of the year is quite synonymous with the chilly weather, fogged atmosphere and hush of the fallen snow in some places of India. It would not be an understatement to say that most marriages took place during this time of the year. Honeymoon is the first vacation where husband and wife go together to enjoy and relax in each other’s company.

Keeping in mind, the flavor of the season who may like to play in the shimmering sands of Goa beaches or with the snowballs in hill stations like Shimla and Manali. The season could be equally romantic like any other time of the year. In this post, I am going to enlist five best romantic destinations for honeymooning in winters.

Goa Beaches

Goa Beach

Goa has not only attracted tourists from India but from all over the world to soak in the serene ambience of its beaches. The azure sea water, glittering sands and tranquil ambiences are the perfect ingredients to spice up your romantic vacation. The fun-filled ambience and laid back attitude of the people is what makes for a perfect honeymoon.

Kerala Backwaters

Kerala Backwaters

If peace and tranquility is what you are looking for, Kerala backwaters offers the perfect ambience to enjoy some cozy moments without any disturbance. Gazing the star studded night while enjoying a candlelight dinner on board Kettuvallam is an experience to remember all your life.

Kashmir Valley

Kashmir Valley

The name of Kashmir is undoubtedly associated with national security concerns but that does not obstruct its popularity as the topmost honeymoon destination in India. While in Kashmir valley, you can enjoy a leisure walk in the Mughal gardens or spend intimate moments with your beloved while boating on the Dal Lake.

Udaipur

Udaipur Lake Palace - the most romantic places on this earth

Fondly known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Udaipur is the place where romance permeates in the air. A perfect hideout from the wintery nights, Udaipur with its rich natural beauty, spectacular palaces , havelis and temples add to the beauty of the region.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Beach in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Andaman & Nicobar is the cluster of 572 small and big islands located in the Bay of Bengal. The swaying palm trees, the reddish atmosphere in the sky as the sun sets, immaculate sands and the genial atmosphere  is the ideal setting for giving a romantic start to your married life.

Deccan Odyssey Train Tour - Announces 5% Discount

 Indian Holidays Pvt. Ltd. Announces 5% Discounts for Select Deccan Odyssey Journeys

Deccan Odyssey Train Journey

Indian Holidays Pvt. Ltd., one of the premier luxury tour operators has announced a minimum 5% discount on select departures for IRCTC and Maharashtra Tourism’s flagship luxury train, the Deccan Odyssey. The journey tariffs had recently been lowered in a bid to make the Deccan Odyssey journeys accessible to a wider spectrum of guests. It must be noted that the tariffs were earlier USD 315/ day onwards (triple occupancy). According to Indian Holidays, this will be soon revised due to the price cuts implemented.

Deccan Odyssey has received some fantastic reviews on various international travel forums and is already quite popular with luxury travel aficionados. The train has also been nominated for the World Trade Awards in the best Asian Luxury Train category. Deccan Odyssey is a 7 night 8 day journey plying between 7 destinations in Maharashtra and Goa. The itinerary has been planned to offer its guests the best cultural insights into historically important cities such as Sindhudurg, Aurangabad and Nasik and the erstwhile Portuguese colony of Goa. The primary reason behind the success of the journey is that all sightseeing and expeditions are scheduled during daytime so that guests can retire to their cabins for overnight stays and that is when the train covers most of the distance.

As far as the feature list is concerned, the train comes absolutely loaded, even by luxury trains’ standards. Pumped with state of the art features for ensuring maximum comfort and convenience for its guests, the train offers services such as Spa and Gym, Electronic Safe, Individual Climate Control for each cabin, Public Address system, Wi-Fi and dedicated services of a personal attendant.

Maharaja Express Runs Its First Course of the Season Today - Indian Luxury Trains

Maharaja Express Runs Its First Course of the Season Today - Indian Luxury Trains

Premium luxury train, the Maharaja Express, runs its first journey today. The train, which starts in only a few hours from now, will embark on a total of 38 journeys this season, within the 2012-13 season spanning over the next 7 months. The train has already garnered some rave reviews by international guests at travel forums worldwide. The train was 1st Runner up in the Conde Nast readers choice travel award 2011 and winner of CNBC travel award 2010 under category of "Best Luxury train".

Top 4 Mandals You Must Visit This Ganesh Mahotsava

Ganesh Mahotsava is probably the biggest festival of western India, particularly in the states of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. The festival itself is quite a spectacle, with colors flying all around and the traditional submerging of the sacred idol of Lord Ganesha. If you happen to be in Mumbai this time of the year, here are four Mandals (associations) you must visit to soak in the true festive spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi.

1-    Lalbaugcha Raja

Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal

The busiest Ganpati Mandal in Mumbai, Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal is located in Parel. The Mandal was started by a group of fisherman way back in 1934 and today, the Mandal is visited by millions of people over the course of 3 days during the Ganesh festival!

2-    Khetwadicha Ganraj

Khetwadicha Ganraj Mandal

Started in 1959, the Khetwadicha Mandal boasts of the most spectacular of all Ganesha idols set up during the Mahotsava. Decked up in pure gold and diamonds, the idol installed in 2000 was declared the tallest ever built in the history of the festival, at a massive 40 feet. The best way to reach Khetwadicha Ganraj Mandal is through the Marine Lines Station on the Western Railway line.

3-    Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganesh Mandal

Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganesh Mandal

The Tambdi Jogeshwari Trust is the organizer of this Mandal near the famous Jogeshwari Temple. The idol of Lord Ganesh is carried on a palanquin made of actual silver against the backdrop of a Lezim troupe that performs on the day of immersion. The site is also historical for hosting freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak’s public speeches.

4-    GSB Ganpati Seva Mandal

GSB Ganpati Seva Mandal

Every year, the Ganpati idol at the GSB Ganpati Seva Mandal is adorned in jewelry worth millions as devotees present their offerings to the scale of their body weights. One of the richest Mandals in Mumbai.

P.S. – Ganpati is the other name of Lord Ganesha.

Udaipur: Travel Tips for Rajasthan Tours

Udaipur, also known as the city of lakes is home to some beautiful lakes which include LakePichola, Fatah Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar. The city is a popular destination among tourists owing to its royal attractions reflecting the glory of erstwhile kings of Rajasthan. Udaipur was founded by Rana Udai Singh as the capital city of Mewar in 1559. Legend says that while hunting in the foothills of Aravali hills, Rana Udai Singh came upon a hermit who guided him to build his fort on the same place, assuring that it will be well-protected from enemies.

Attractions in Udaipur 

Udaipur is a renowned destination owing to its lakes, palaces, temples and culture which attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists. Some of the famous attractions in Udaipur are as follows:

City Palace 

City Palace in Udaipur

Among the major attractions in Udaipur, City Palace deserves a special mention. The palace was built by Maharaja Udai Singh as the site of his new capital, Udaipur. The palace is a beautiful palatial structure standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola. The palace displays a unique blend of Rajasthani, Mughal, European and Chinese architecture. The City Place houses many big and small palaces, museums and gardens which include Amar Vilas, Badi Mahal, Durbar hall, Krishna Vilas, Manak Mahal, Mor Chowk, Zenana Mahal, Rang Bhawan and Sheesh Mahal etc.

Lake Palace

Lake Palace in Udaipur

One of the most astonishing palaces in the world, Lake Palace is a landmark of Udaipur. Once the abode of the royal family of Udaipur, the lake palace has now been converted into a luxury heritage hotel. The palace was built by Maharaja Jagat Singh in 1743 and was named after him as Jag Niwas. Set amidst Lake Pichola, the palace is a sheer poetry in white marble.

Saheliyon Ki Badi

Saheliyon Ki Bari :The Most Beautiful Gardens in Udaipur

Saheliyon ki Badi is a famous garden which was designed by Maharana Pratap in honor of 48 maid attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as a part of her dowry. The garden is dotted with lotus pools, marble pavilions and elephant shaped fountains. There is also a small  museum inside the garden.

Cultural Fairs and Festivals in Udaipur

Celebrates fairs and festivals,Udaipur

The city of Udaipur celebrates all fairs and festivals with utmost zeal. The Mewar festival is celebrated to welcome the arrival of spring season. It coincides with the famous Gangaur festival in Udaipur. The women dress up in their best clothes and participate in this festival. They gather to dress the idols of Isar (Lord Shiva) and Gangaur (Goddess Parvati) and carry them in a traditional possession to different parts of the city. The events also showcases many cultural programs such as songs, dances etc. The festival concludes with an amazing fireworks display.

Things to do in Udaipur
The entertainment and leisure activities in Udaipur are according to the ethnic and imperial charm of Rajasthan state. Horse-riding in Udaipur is a perfect way of escaping from the hustle-bustle of this royal city. The highlight of horse-riding is a thrilling overnight safari to Jaismand along with a lifetime experience in a Luxurious safari camp near the Jaismand Lake. Camel safari is a common activity which you will find nearly in every state of Rajasthan. The camel safari will acquire your one whole day. The safari offers you an opportunity to meet the tribal people on your palace on wheels journey.

Palace on Wheels Train will initiate from September 2012

India’s premier luxury train, Palace on Wheels, is scheduled to run its first course of the season on September 5, 2012. The train is the flagship luxury sojourn of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) and takes its guests on a scenic 8 day tour of the kingly Indian state of Rajasthan, with 1 day excursions to the wonderful Taj Mahal and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary scheduled. The train is quite popular with both international and local guests and gets sold out a couple of months prior to the beginning of the season. The destinations of the tour include Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur, Jaywalker, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra.

Palace on Wheels Train : Best Rail Journeys in the World

The train is a true ambassador of luxury travel and offers quality services and luxury facilities such as personal services of a butler, electronic safes, separate spa cars, souvenir shops, a separate lounge car and on-train entertainment. A salient feature of the train is varying ranges in tariffs to accommodate high and mid-range budgets. It is advisable for would-be guests to make prior booking on this luxury sojourn to avoid any last minute disappointments.

How to book it:
Indian Luxury Trains
http://www.indianluxurytrains.com/journeys/palace-on-wheels.html
Indian Luxury Trains is India's first and only luxury train travel portal. Details of upcoming schedule and booking of the Palace on Wheels train tour packages along with post and pre tour arrangement, air ticket booking could be done at the Indian Luxury Trains website.

Golden Chariot First Journey of the Season to Begin from 1st October, 2012

Operators of the Golden Chariot train, Karnataka State Tourism and Development Corporation (KSTDC) have announced the departure date for the first seasonal journey of this Indian luxury train. The luxury train will chug its way from Bangalore to Goa on 1st October 2012. The departure schedule for the upcoming run season is given on the website of Indian luxury trains. 

Golden Chariot : Luxury Train in India

The Golden Chariot with its two itineraries-Prides of the South and Splendor of the South- takes guests on an enchanting voyage through sublime terrains of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Goa. The Pride of the South itinerary by Golden Chariot is 8 days and 7 night’s journey that covers Bangalore, Kabini, Mysore, Hassan, Hospet, Badami and Goa. The weeklong journey encompasses ancient temples, World Heritage Sites, churches & cathedrals and wildlife treasure troves.  

Built on the lines of famous Palace on Wheels, the Golden Chariot is India’s first disabled friendly luxury train. The train constitutes of 44 well appointed cabins which include 25 twin bed cabins, 18 double bed cabins and 1 cabin for physically challenged. Each cabin represents the architectural esthetics of erstwhile south Indian dynasties in their interior décor and maintains modern refinement through state of the art amenities such as LCD television, individual temperature control, electronic safe and Wi-Fi internet among others.

For more information on train facilities, itineraries, schedules and facilities, you may like to visit the website of the - http://www.indianluxurytrains.com/journeys/the-golden-chariot.html

Golden Chariot Train Pride of the South : Discover Myriad Facets of Karnataka

“Water changes at every mile and language changes at every three miles”. The varied topography, cultural mix, religious tolerance and multi-lingual populace of India certainly mount up to the aforementioned statement. When it comes to southern region of India, there could be no way better than Golden Chariot train to unearth the natural and cultural treasures of this region.

The Golden Chariot Train Ariel View

Fondly referred to as South India’s very own Palace on Wheels, this Indian luxury train was launched to showcase the rich heritage of Karnataka in an opulent manner. On 10th March, 2008, Golden Chariot embarked on its maiden voyage from Bangalore to Goa. During the course of its 8 days and 7 nights’ journey, this Indian luxury train encompasses various historically prominent and naturally rich destinations which include Mysore, Kabini, Hassan, Hospet, Badami and Goa. From ancient temples to stunning palaces and from wildlife treasure troves to colonial edifices, this tastefully crafted itinerary aboard the Golden Chariot train offer different strokes to different folks.

Each day of Pride of the South journey lets you discover a different aspect of tourism in this state. The 2nd day marks the entry of Golden Chariot into the rustic hinterland of Kabini. A delectable lunch in jungle lodge enveloped with luxuriant greens followed by a game safari to enjoy the call of the wild is what scheduled for the 2nd day.

Moving on the 3rd day of this itinerary, the train will chug into the erstwhile realm of Tipu Sultan - Mysore. Beautiful gardens, stunning temples, magnificent palaces and local markets of this south Indian princely state will surely leave you spellbound. The sightseeing excursion will reach its crescendo in the cultural program organized at Lalitha Mahal Palace.

Apart from exploring wildlife treasures and imperial heritage of Mysore, this Indian luxury train brings you face to face with the rich Dravidian heritage of south India. The 4th, 5th and 6th day on board Pride of the South journey will take you to Hassan, Hospet and Badami, each of which is sprinkled with scores of religious edifices and monuments built during medieval age.

On the penultimate day of this rail tour, the luxury train enters the beach paradise ‘Goa’. The sightseeing tour of the day includes exploration of churches and Sola Souto Manor, a Portuguese house dating back to 16th century, in Old Goa.

Some points to be remembered while making reservations for Golden Chariot train:

• If reservation is made for individual travelling, you have to pay 20% of the ticket value at the time of booking confirmation. Rest 80% is to be paid 60 days prior to departure.
•  If reservation is made for a group tour, you are required to pay 50% of the ticket value at the time of booking confirmation. Rest 80% is to be paid 60 days prior to departure.

The destinations covered by Golden Chariot during the course of Pride of the South journey offers peak into the rich history and cultural heritage of Karnataka. Right from exploring rich Dravidian heritage to wildlife rendezvous in Bandipur National Park, the journey explores many worlds of Karnataka.

Luxury Train in India - The Buzzword for Luxury Travel

Indian luxury trains are the most sought after by connoisseurs of luxury travel around the world. Unlike Blue train and Orient Express that dominate the luxury rail segment in west, much of the contribution has come from India with 6 luxury trains operating in current scenario.  Luxury train tours are a booming travel trend for those who are not afraid of shelling out moolah for attaining the experience of royal pampering and elegant living.

The history of luxury train travelling traces its roots to the era of erstwhile Indian maharajas who were believed to have travelled in overtly luxurious rail carriages. Taking cue from the personal rail carriages of erstwhile Indian monarchs, Rajasthan Tourism and Development Corporation in association with Indian railways launched Palace on Wheels train in 1982. The train has been designed with replica carriages of erstwhile Rajput princes, Nizams of Hyderabad and Viceroys of India and traverses the course of former princely states of Rajasthan during the course of its 8 days and 7 nights journey.

The seamless fusion of Rajputana décor, state of the art amenities and traditional India hospitality is apparent in every aspect of the train. The weeklong journey on board Palace on Wheels train whisks you into the Rajputana heartland and let you discover the royal and cultural facet of Rajasthan along with the exploration of wildlife treasure troves.

Following the overwhelming success of Palace on Wheels, many state tourism boards followed in the footsteps of Rajasthan Tourism and Development Corporation and came up with their own version of Palace on Wheels train. The popularity of this luxury tourist train reached the corridors of private players too which resulted in chartering of Deccan Odyssey train by Travel Corporation of India (TCI).

Besides Rajasthan, luxury trains in India allow guests to explore the natural and cultural treasure troves of western and southern region of India. While Deccan Odyssey offers jaunt into Maratha heartland with two days halt in Goa, Golden Chariot with its two journeys- Pride of the South and Splendor of the South- offers whirlwind tour across historically significant and naturally rich destinations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The two itineraries of Indian Maharaja train- Delhi to Mumbai and Mumbai to Delhi- are a medley of vibrant colors of Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. 

Although the six luxury trains operating in India differ in terms of destinations but all of them strive hard towards meeting a similar goal. The goal is to provide elegant stay with sightseeing of some of the best tourist destinations in India. Hence it would not be an overstatement to say that a new age of opulent and elegant train travelling has arrived in India with the rise of luxury rail tour segment.