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.
