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, palaceonwheels chugs 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. The Palaceonwheels Newly
assembled at the coach factory in Madras, it is fully vestibuled
and centrally airconditioned, truely a palace on wheels.
Each Coach of the palaceonwheels is 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 of palaceonwheels
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:
The
Palace on Wheels - 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..
The Palace on Wheels - 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.
The
Palace on Wheels - 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.
The Palace on Wheels - 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.
Palace
on Wheels:
History
of Palace on Wheels,
Coaches
of Palace on Wheels,
Itinerary
for Palace on Wheels,
Facilities
Provided by Palace on Wheels
