Palace on Wheels
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.
