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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

Dholpur Saloon:
Dholpur is known for its locally quarried sandstone used for building palaces and for latticework extensively used in balcony railings. The rails in the Saloon are made in teak ply to depict the fine craftsmanship as done in stone. The Dholpur crest decorates the valance in zardozi work.

Dungarpur Saloon:
Dungarpur meaning "Hill Town" is wild and rugged and know 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 walls of their houses. The royal state crest, in intricate zardozi work, appears on the valance of the blinds.

Jaisalmer Saloon:
Founded by Rao Jaisal in 1156 AD, this remote desert city is famous for the Jaisalmer fort, epitomized by Satyajit Ray, the famous film-maker in the 'Shonar Kella' (The Golden Fortress), an epic celluloid saga. The city is also famous for its havelis, cobbled streets, ancient Jain temples and a festive gaiety that reverberates across the shimmering with conspicuous facades served as the inspiration for the intricately carved jharokhas on the lounge ceiling. It is done on teakwood with a mirror backing. The famous Jawahar Niwas facade has been depicted in the state lounge-using cone, metal, copper and silver medium. The royal insignia adorns the valance of the blind. The colour scheme reflects the beige of the desert sands.

Jaipur Saloon:
Known the world over as the Pink City, Jaipur was founded by Maharaja Sawai jai Singh II in 1727 A.D. The architect Vidhyadhar, under the instructions of the Maharaja planned the city. 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 palaces, monuments & gardens that attract hoards of visitors every. Fairs and festivals reflect the exuberant charm of the people here. The cheerful nature of the local inhabitants is reflected in the vibrant colours & 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 is worked out in Zardozi work on the valance. The walls have been decorated with miniature paintings of the famous Jaipur style of painting. The ceilings have painted frescoes, done in complimentary colours, reflecting the state's colour scheme of blue & gold.

Jhalawar Saloon:
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 folklores abound in this region. Jhalawar also has some beautiful temples and ancient Buddha caves. The ceiling has been worked out in a medium used by the local inhabitants of Jhalawar to decorate their home. A play of colours and mirror work has been 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 tabletops of the state lounge.

Jodhpur Saloon:
This capital of the Marwar kingdom lies on the tip of the Thar Desert and was the seat of a formidable dynasty of rulers from the 15th century onwards. The Meharangarh fort, which dominates the city of Jodhpur, is a fascination arcade and the Mughal influenced designs of the Moti Mahal recreated in mother of pearl work on the ceiling. 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.

Kishangarh Saloon:
The Banio 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 window with the Kishangarh School of Art highlighted in an artwork on the wall of the state lounge.

Kota Saloon:
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 palace is through the Hathi Pol, which is brightly painted with figures of elephants. Kota is well known for Kota school of design. These elements have served as the basis for designing the décor of this Saloon. 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. It depicts Raja Ram Singh II (1826-66) of Kota amidst a royal procession.

Sirohi Saloon:
This erstwhile state has earned an enviable reputation the world over for its gold fort and with coloured glass work that is done near Pratapgarh. The style of work has a typically Indo-European flavour as European influence is quite conspicuous. The rooms highlight this style through the framed works of art done in the same styles through the framed works of art done. The ambience and colour scheme has also been designed in keeping with this school of Art. The Gold foil and glasswork also has semi precious stones embedded in it, and has been done in a mix media created from cone and paint embossed particle boards. The royal insignia has been placed prominently. Mounted miniatures done in the Sirohi school style lend a unique character to the décor.

Udaipur Saloon:
Lazing on the edge of the lake Pichola, Udaipur was the capital of the Sisodia Rajputs after they moved from Chittaur. The City Palace in Udaipur is a Complex of reception halls, residential suits 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 mosaic. The lounge décor is influenced by the 'Mor Chowk' or the Peacock Court. The medium used is a combination of 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.

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