|
Palace on
Wheels Tour
|
Palace on Wheels Train Coaches
You'll
be delighted  you
chose to see Rajasthan by the Palace on Wheels. On board, you'll feel like an
erstwhile monarch, traveling in regal splendour. Each Coach named after the erstwhile
princely state has 4 twin bedded chambers, thoughtfully decorated in ethnic Rajasthani
decor. Channel Music, intercom, attached toilets, running hot & cold water
shower 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 to your beck
and call to extend a courteous helping hand, should you need anything.
The 14 coaches are named after former Rajput states matching the aesthetics
and interiors of the royal past. Each saloon has a mini pantry and a lounge to
ensure availability of hot and cold beverage, and refreshments and a place to
relax and get together.
  |
| (1) Palace on wheels
passing through a valley (2) A traditional miniature painting | 1.
ALWAR
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 forests and deep valleys, Alwar in home to several species of flora
and fauna. The ceiling of the Alwar coach lounge has been done aesthetically in
a delightful mix of cone work and oils in relief, depicting a hunting scene. The
royal emblem and a miniature painting adorn the lounge. Subtle tones of pink enhance
the romantic ambience of the lounge.
2. BHARATPUR
Maharaja
Suraj Mal, the valiant Jat king, who was admired for his chivalry and courage,
had his abode here. Once a fortified township, Bharatpur is now an ornithologist's
paradise and well known for the Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary. The sanctuary is
home to over 376 avian species. Echoing the vividity of nature's gift to Bharatpur
the relief work on this coach depicts various species of birds on the tree of
life. A replica of royal crest of Bharatpur adorns the valance of the blinds.
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 color
scheme, with its profusion of beige and aqua green, is a vivid reminder of lush
green forests of Bharatpur and Ghana
3. BIKANER
Bikaner
came into being in 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 an oil painting
on canvas, depicting the legendary lovers Dhola & Maru on camelback. The artwork
in the lounge is in the Mughal influenced style of Bikaner School of Art.
   |
| (1) Fine wooden carving
in the Jaisalmer coach (2) Banithani, a famous miniature painting of Rajasthan
(3) A painting depicting the kings palace | 4. BUNDI
The quaint little state of Bundi lies cradled in the hills, east of Mewar.
The palace complex of Bundi towers above the township. An imposing structure,
it is approached by along paved ramp that ascends to the Hati 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 the
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 framed and mounted art
pieces and also serves as the basis of the colour scheme and overall décor,
including a delightfully frescoed ceiling.
5. DHOLPUR
Dholpur
is known for its locally quarried sandstone building palaces and for lattice work
extenhsively used for balcony railings. The rails in the coach are made of teak
ply and depict the fine craftsmanship originally done in stone. The Dholpur crest
decorates the valance in zardozi work.
6. DUNGARGARH
Dungargarh
meaning ‘Hill Town’ is wild and rugged and known for its architecture
and the Bhil tribals. The ceiling is done up in a mixture of relief and mirror
work in line with the ‘lep’ work done by the tribals on the wall of
their houses. The royal state crest, in intricate zardozi work, appears on the
valance of the blinds.
7. JAISALMER
Founded by Rao Jaisal
in 1156 A.D, this remote desert city is famous for the Jaisalmer fort, epitomized
by Satyajit Ray in the ‘Shonar Kella’ ( The Golden Fortress), an epic
celluloid saga. The city is also famous for its havelies, cobbled streets, ancient
Jain temples and a festive gaiety that reverberates across the shimmering sands
of the Thar desert. The intricately latticed havelies with conspicuous facades
served as the inspiration for the intricately carved jharokhas on the lounge ceiling.
It is done on teak wood with a mirror backing. The famous Jawahar Niwas façade
has been depicted in the state lounge cone, metal, copper and silver medium. The
royal insignia adorns the valance of the blinds. The colour scheme reflects the
beige of the desert sands.
8. JAIPUR
Known the world over
as the Pink City, Jaipur was founded by Maharaja Swai Jai Singh in 1727 A.D. The
city was planned by the architect Vidhyadhar, under the instructions of the Maharaja.
The king was an astronomer and a connoisseur of arts. And his taste is conspicuous
in the beautiful city constructed by him. A fascinating land, Jaipur has innumerable
palace , monuments & gardens that attracts hoards of visitors every year.
Fairs and festivals reflect the exuberant charm of the people here. The cheerful
nature of the local inhabitants is reflected in the vibrant colours and captivating
music that enliven their spirits, even in this arid desert land. The ceiling of
the state lounge has been created using the famed ‘Phad’ or foil work,
depicting festivals like Teej, Gangaur, Holi, Diwali etc. The royal emblem of
the state, in Zardozi work, graces the valance. The walls have been decorated
with miniature paintings of the famous Jaipur style of painting. The ceilings
have been painted frescoes, done in complementary colours , reflecting the state’s
colour scheme of Blue and Gold.
9. JHALAWAR
This powerful
kingdom of the Jhalas, a clan of valiant Rajputs, was created in the year 1838
A.D. It is a charming land with immense natural beauty. Tales of valour and chivalry
and numerous folklore abound in this region. Jhalawar also has some beautiful
temples and some Buddhist caves. The ceiling has been worked out in a medium used
by the local inhabitants of the Jhalawar to decorate their homes. A play of colous
and a mirror work has used in the medium of plaster of paris to create a unique
ambience. The royal insignia of the erstwhile state in zardozi work is seen on
the valance along with handicrafts supporting the table tops of the state lounge.
10. JODHPUR
The capital of the Mewar kingdom lies on the
tip of the Thar desert and was the seat of a formidable dynasty of the ruler sfrom
the 15th centuary onwards. The Mehrangarh Fort which dominates the city of Jodhpur
is fascinating with its cusped arcades and the Mughal influnced designs of the
Moti Mahal recreated in mother-of-pearl work on the ceilings. The royal crest
is highlighted on the valance along with the miniature paintings in the lounge
which is typical of the Jodhpur School of Art.
   |
| (1) Relief work in the
Udaipur coach (2) Color glass mosaic depicting a peacock (3) Oil paintings on
the ceilings of Kota coach | 11. KISHANGARH
The
Bani Thani paintings of the state with their exaggerated features like eyes and
long fingers, are well-known .One of these famous paintings is recreated on the
ceiling in acrylic, painted with enamel and foil. The crest appears in zardozi
work on the blinds of the windows with an artwork of the Kishangarh school of
Art highlighted on the wall of the state lounge.
12. KOTA
Once
a prosperous Rajput state, Kota is picturesquely located beside the Chambal river,
surrounded by verdant forests and picnic gardens. The City Palace is a grand structure.
The entry to the place is through the Hati Pol, which is brightly painted with
figures of elephants. Kota is well known for the Kota school of design. These
elements have served
as the basis for designing the décor of this
coach. The distinctive features of the Kota school of art can be seen in the oil
paintings titled - Raja aur Praja,( The Monarch and his subjects ) on the ceiling.
I5t depicts Raja Ram Singh II (1826-66) of Kota amidst a royal procession.
13. SIROHI
This erstwhile state has earned an enviable reputation
the world over for its gold fort, near Pratapgarh. Especially the coloured glass
work within it is remarkable. The style of work has a typically Indo-European
flavour as European influence is quite conspicuous. The rooms highlighted this
style through the framed works of art done in the same style. The ambiance and
colour scheme has also been designed in keeping with this school of Art. The gold
foil and glass work also has semi-precious stones embedded in it, and has been
done in a mix media created from co0ne and paint embossed particle boards. The
royal insignia has been placed prominently. Mounted miniatures done in Sirohi
schhol style lend a unique character to décor.
14. UDAIPUR
Lazing on the edge of lake Pichhola, Udaipur was the capital of Sisodia
Rajputs after they moved from Chittaur. The City Palace in Udaipur is a complex
of reception halls, residential suites and internal courts from which the state
lounge and bedrooms take their colour schemes- dominant blue and white. The most
fascinating of the inner courts is the Peacock Court where Peacocks have been
modeled in high relief and faced with coloured glass mosaic. The lounge décor
is influenced by the ‘Mor Chowk’ or the Peacock Court. The medium used
is a combination of the relief work and Patra or oxidized white metal work. The
royal crest of the state, in alluring zardozi work, is set on the valance of the
blinds.
| |
|
|
