28 Sep, 2015
Done with North India’s Golden Triangle? Try the eye-popping wonders of South India, by Luxury Train
Bengaluru — Although North India’s famous Delhi-Agra-Jaipur Golden Triangle tour is arguably the country’s most popular tourism circuit, the South Indian state of Karnataka is equally blessed in terms of history, heritage, nature and spiritual spots. It may be home to India’s best-known I.T. city of Bangalore, but it is also home to a city with an even better distinction, the cleanest city of India, Mysuru (Mysore).
A group of travel agents and media, including this editor, were fortunate to be taken on a spectacular tour of the wonders of Karnataka using an even more unique form of transportation, the Golden Chariot, one of four US$500 a night luxury trains operated nationwide by the Indian Railways. Although the regular rail-tour runs for seven and eight nights, a special two-day, three-night tour was arranged for the PATA Travel Mart 2015 participants. The tour took us from Bengaluru to Mysore, Somnathpura, Srirangapatna, Brindavan Garden and the world heritage site of Hampi. My pictures of the great temples, shrines, palaces and mosques that we visited can be seen below.
|
The tours were great. Restoration work is under way in many heritage sites of India to promote tourism. As visitors numbers are low presently, we were often the only foreign visitors there. Some places were spotlessly clean, others less so. Toilet facilities for visitors have been upgraded in most places but whether they will be able to cope with increased numbers in future remains to be seen.
Service aboard the Golden Chariot luxury train is impeccable and the cuisine divine. There is a choice of Indian and Western menus. I opted for the Indian menu, in one case the vegetarian “thali”, a mini-buffet of several items. It turned out to be mouth-wateringly good. The masala tea was another great item. The waiters and butlers are polite, well-trained and courteous. Some facilities, such as a business centre and a gym, are redundant.
Guests would be best advised to carry minimum baggage. The double-bed cabins will be hard-pressed to accommodate anything more than the two occupants and small pieces of baggage. The toilets and showers are fine for people of average, medium-build but anyone more than six feet tall and weighing more than 80 kgs may have a movement problem. The wifi service is inconsistent and was only available in the dining cars and the bar. Cleaning the smudge from the cabin windows would enable a better appreciation of the scenic countryside, especially in the mornings. At night, the train averages a speed of 100 kms an hour, and frequently stops at sidings to allow trains to head in the other direction. This can be quite disturbing. For those not used to the jerking, swaying and stops-and-starts, it takes time to get used to it, but just be prepared.
A number of the other PTM 2015 buyers did not take the rail tour but covered the same spots by road. The tour-coaches were exceptionally good, well looked after, comfortable and courteous. Ours also had power sockets which worked.
Overall, its a great experience, well worth every cent of the relatively high asking price. Here are some photographs to stimulate the travel bug.
 The majestic Mysore Palace, the crown jewel of the entire tour. |
 The group of PTM delegates who took the Golden Chariot tour. |
 =========== |
 The Chennakesava Temple located at Somanathapura is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. |
 A close-up of some of the figures at the Chennakesava Temple, which has been restored. |
 A close-up of some of the figures at the Chennakesava Temple, which has been restored. |
 One of the many gods and goddesses which can be found inside the temple. |
 Visiting and appreciating the marvellous temple was yet another inspiring experience as I indulge my passion to visit as many of the world’s spiritual and holy spots as possible. |
 The beautifully landscaped grounds of the Chennakesava Temple, |
 The amazing stone chariot at the Vijaya Vittala Temple Complex in Hampi, a World Heritage Site. |
 A panoramic view of the Vijaya Vittala Temple Complex in Hampi, a World Heritage Site. |
 Another view of the stone chariot at the Vijaya Vittala Temple Complex in Hampi, a World Heritage Site. |
 Entering the grounds of the Tipu Sultan mausoleum. All the landmark sites of the Muslim rulers of India are marked by lush green lawns, which have been well preserved. |
 This editor at the Tipu Sultan Mausoleum, another example of the magnificent design and architecture of South India. |
 A mosque next to the Tipu Sultan Mausoleum. |
 Another elegant mosque in the area. |
 Ruins of the many temples and monuments at the Hemakuta Hill. |
 Sunset point at Hemakuta Hill. |
 More panoramic views from atop the Hemakuta hill |
 One of the many stone figures at the Hemakuta Hill complex. |
 The Siva Lingam at the Hemakuta Hill complex. |
 A figure of the Hindu God Ganesha at the Hemakuta Hill complex. |
 A view of the Virupaksha temple from atop the Hemakuta Hill complex. |
 The view from the bottom of the Hemakuta Hill complex, looking upwards. |
 The Virupaksha temple grounds. Photographs were not allowed inside the temple itself. |
 Many Indian temples are marked by sculpture that are today considered “erotic” but in those days were just seen as a normal part of life. |
 The gardens of another Islamic attraction, the Dariya Daulat Bagh, in Srirangapatna, near Mysore. This was Tipu Sultan’s summer palace. It contains amazing wall paintings. Photography is not allowed inside. |
 The PTM delegates were hosted to a cultural evening at the Regaalis hotel, featuring a wonderful performance by this dancer. |
 The Queen’s Bath, another of the majestic ruins of a bygone empire in Hampi. |
 The ruins of a bygone empire in Hampi. |
 What used to be a swimming pool, another of the awesome structures that dotted a bygone empire in Hampi |
 The ruins of Hampi |
 The Elephant Stables at Hampi. |
 A stone bull statue atop one of the hills overlooking Mysore. |
 Yes, tourism does create jobs. That is Mrs Ruma Hardy, wife of PATA CEO Mario Hardy, about to make a contribution to the local grassroots economy in Karnataka. |
 India is full of such unedited signage, raising a few smiles that make the entire visit well worthwhile. |
 The entrance to the magnificent Mysore Palace. |
 One of the temples in the Mysore Palace grounds. |
 This editor at the Mysore Palace. Again, photographs were not allowed inside the Palace itself. |
 The Golden Chariot at the station. |
 A cool welcome drink and cold towel before boarding. |
 The spotless Yeshwanthpur railway station platform from where the Golden Chariot departs. |
 The dining car on the Golden Chariot. This picture and the one below was taken off the train’s website. |
 The sleeping cabins in the Golden Chariot. Very compact and comfortable but after allowing for luggage, space becomes tight. |
Loading ...
Liked this article? Share it!