India Rails : The Royal Orient
The
Royal Orient train cruise recreates the royal era of rail travel,
when the Maharajahs, Nawabs and the European visitors to Gujarat
travelled in exclusive railway saloon carriages. The train comprises
luxuriously appointed saloons of four twin bedded cabins each,
with a bathroom between every two cabins, deluxe dining cars and
a lounge with bar and entertainment facilities. The train has
acquired a fine reputation for its facilities, food and itinerary
covering three states-Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the union territory
of Diu in a week of travelling by rail and sightseeing by a/c
motor coaches. Passengers will see the historic fortress of Chittaurgarh,
the lakeshore palaces of Udaipur, the 11th century Sun temple
at Modhera, the stepwells of Patan and Adalaj, the lion sanctuary
of Gir, the beaches and historic monuments of Diu, the Jain complex
atop Shatrunjaya hill at Palitana, the monuments of Ahmedabad,
the Jain temples of Ranakpur and the forts and palaces of Jaipur.
Itinerary
Day 1
The Desert Queen, a magnificent steam locomotive, draws the meter
gauge train from Dehli, amid a festive farewell, before she is
replaced by a diesel locomotive in the Arravallis.
Day 2
The train arrives at Chittaurgarh, where passengers get to see
the majestic fortified complex of Chittaurgarh, enclosing within
its huge walls and battlements, a number of palaces, towers of
fame and victory, reservoirs, temples, gardens and other reminders
of medieval Mewar. Next on the agenda is Udaipur, where after
Akhbar's siege of Chittaurgarh, the Mewar royals moved their capital.
Udaipur is famous for its City palace, one of the largest of its
kind in Rajasthan, the Saheliyon ki bari and other 18th century
gardens with fountains, fantasy island palaces, and cultural centres
working to promote arts, crafts and puppetry. A selection of Udaipur's
many sights and a meal in a palace hotel are some of the highlights
of The Royal Orient's Udaipur sojourn.
Day 3
The passengers arrive at Mehsana in the morning, and travel in
aircon coaches, to see the fabulous monuments built during the
reign of the Solanki Rajputs over Gujarat, the golden period of
architecture in north Gujarat. The 11th century Sun temple of
Modhera, one of the finest examples of devotional architecture
in India, and the 11th century Rani ki vav stepwell of Patan,
known for its fabulous subterranean architecture and exquisite
sculpture, are the architectural highlights of the morning sightseeing
tour. Another highlight is the Patola silk weaving workshop where
the last of the double ikkat weavers in India can be watched at
work on frameless looms, producing the finest of silk fabrics.
The next stop, after Mehsana, is the city7 of Ahmedabad, Gujarat's
largest city and one of the greatest cities of India. Ahmedabad
has delightful monuments like the Sidi Saiyad mosque, museums
like the Calico museum of textiles and the Gandhi ashram where
the Mahatma dwelt. At Adalaj, near Ahmedabad, travellers can see
yet another exquisite example of medieval stepwell architecture.
Day 4
The journey continues to Sasan, the headquarters of Gir national
park and wildlife sanctuary, home of the last of Asia's lions
and a variety of other mammals. The mix of habitats offers delightful
birding as well. After the safari, it is down to Somnath to see
the holy shore temples, and then onwards to Delwada, the nearest
railhead for the fine white sand Ahmedpur Mandvi beach. Ahmedpur
Mandvi is at the entrance to Diu UT, and provides an opportunity
to visit the huge battlemented 16th century Portuguese fort, the
17th century churches and pretty palm fringed beaches of Diu.
Day 5
After the Portuguese churches of Diu, comes the Jain pilgrim town
of Palitana, overlooked by the fabulous temple complex on the
sacred summit of Shatrunnjaya hill. There are about 863 temples
clustered on two ridges of the hilltop. Roam the complex and see
some fine carvings and architectural detailing. The view from
above is nothing short of magnificent. After descending from Palitana,
travel to Sarkhej, a historic suburb of Ahmedabad, and see the
mausoleum complex which is one of the largest in western India.
Within the complex are tombs of saints and sultans, a Jumma Masjid,
and a reservoir faced by two palatial pavilions, a mardana with
an archway tall enough for elephants with howdahs on their backs
to transport sultans to their chambers, and the other a zanana
with arch screens for women of royal descent. Vishalla, a themed
village restaurant at Sarkhej, offers a delightful recreated rural
atmosphere and has a utensils museum with the owner's one man
collection on public display
Day 6
After the Islamic complex of Sarkhej, near Ahmedabad, comes the
majestic temple complex of Ranakpur north of Udaipur, with its
exquisite Jain temples and medieval Sun temple. The Chaumukha
temple at Ranakpur, the largest Jain temple in India, has 1444
pillars no two of which are exactly alike.
Day 7
The train continues on a journey to Jaipur, a city that is flush
with pink palaces and stone fortresses. Visit the Amber fort,
which offers a delightful array of vistas from the 12th century
temples and wells in the historic Amber town to the mighty battlements
of Jaigarh fort straddling the rocky hilltop. The highlights of
Amber are the 17th and 18th century palaces, embellished with
murals, meenakari, domes, ornate pillars and jali-work. An elephant
ride to the fort offers a delightful way to reach the palace complex
and views of the sepia-toned hills, around Amber, and the calm
Maota lake, at the foot of the ascent to the fortified complex.
Jaipur city has a splendid City palace, a Hawa mahal (wind pavilion)
and the Jantar Mantar, a historic observatory.
Day 8
Back to Dehli
The Weekend Option
For those visiting Ahmedabad, an excellent weekend break can be
a trip on the Royal orient.
Frieday : Arrive at Ahmedabad and see the 11th
century monuments and handicrafts of Mehsana district. In the
afternoon see the many interesting sights of Ahmedabad city.
Saturday : Travel to Sasan and visit the Gir
national park, before continuing to the shore temples of Somnath,
and finally the hmedpur Mandvi beach and Diu island, known for
its Portuguese architecture.
Sunday : Early morning at Palitana, and an ascent
to the 863temple cluster on Shatrunnjaya hills. In the evening
return to Ahmedabad and disembark at Sarkhej station, around which
are numerous interesting places to see.
