The passenger coaches which were originally
meant to be the personal railway coaches of the erstwhile rulers of princely
states of Rajputana, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British
India. These coaches were not being used by the Indian Railways after independence
in normal passenger trains on account of very rich and traditional interiors.
About Palace on Wheels
This is a journey of the body and the spirit,
travelling into the heart of India's Shangri-La.
The passenger coaches which were originally meant to be the personal railway
coaches of the erstwhile rulers of princely states of Rajputana, Gujarat, the
Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India. These coaches were not
being used by the Indian Railways after independence in normal passenger trains
on account of very rich and traditional interiors.
The name "Palace-on-Wheels" (POW) was derived from its royal back-ground
of the coaches. A new meter gauge air conditioned Palace-on-Wheels was introduced
in 1984 & had 13 Saloons, 2 Restaurant cum Kitchen car, one Bar cum Lounge
and 4 Service Cars. In order to further increase the amenities on the train
and due to over all gauge conversion in the state, a new broad gauge Palace-on-Wheels
has been constructed. & has been running since 1996. It's 14 Saloons are
inter-connected, the interior matching the aesthetics of the royal states. The
cabins of each saloon name attached with showers.The train also has a well appointed
lounge, library, bar & dining cars.
In the past 20 years of operations, the Palace-on-Wheels has been rated as one
of the best ten luxurious rail journeys in the world.
Saloons
The names of the saloons are based on the princely states of Rajasthan - Alwar,
Bharatpur, Bikaner, Bundi, Dholpur, Dungarpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jhalawar,
Jodhpur, Kishangarh, Kota, Sirohi, and Udaipur.
The
decor of each saloon has highlighted the cultural ethos of the state, represented
through the use of furniture, handicrafts, paintings and furnishings.The ceiling
in the lounge is of particular interest. Each coupe is different but the overall
ambience of the decor of the saloons has been taken care of to provide continuity.
Each saloon has cream yellow color on its exterior walls and bear the Coat of
Arms (logo) of the erstwhile princely states, along with the name.
Interior Layout
Each saloon has 4 coupes (sleeping rooms) with attached toilet. In every saloon,
there is one saloon captain valet and one attendant to look after the personal
needs of its tourists. Each saloon has a mini pantry properly equipped to provide
ready tea/coffee and snacks.
Palace on Wheels Train
Tour
This is a journey of the body and the spirit,
travelling into the heart of India's Shangri-La.
Jaisalmer Coach:
There are intricately carved jharokhas on the lounge ceiling. It is done on
teak wood 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.
Jhalawar Coach:
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 table tops of the state lounge.
Jodhpur Coach:
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 Coach:
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 Coach:
Kota is well known for 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. It depicts Raja
Ram Singh II (1826-66) of Kota amidst a royal procession.
Sirohi Coach:
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 in the same styles.
The ambience 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 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 Coach:
The state lounge and bedrooms take their colour schemes-dominant blue and white.
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.
History of Palace on
Wheels
This is a journey of the body and the spirit,
travelling into the heart of India's Shangri-La.
It was in the eighties when Indian Railway and Rajasthan Tourism decided to
work together on a project to resurrect some of these forgotten symbols of its
historic heritage.
Thirteen carriages from different princely states were brought together and
refurbished, and the Palace on Wheels was launched.
A superb train that evoked the past with modern facilities and created a journey
that was on offer to people around the world-wannabe princes who could be royals
for their week of the journey.
For, along with the restored carriages-some still glowing with their original
teakwood panels intact-came liveried attendants, royal repasts from the attached
kitchen, a lounge, and a dining car.
The Palace on Wheels had become so popular and there is and would always be
resistance to any move to discontinue it.
The result was a spanking new train that faithfully recreated the old one, but
much more comfortable, and intended to provide a smoother ride.
However, this too was on the meter gauge being used for yet another exotic journey
in the form of the Royal Orient Express that travels from Delhi to parts of
Rajasthan, but is used primarily to discover the neighboring state of Gujarat.
The Palace On Wheels started as a unique holiday train hauled by a steam engine
with its inaugural trip on 26th January, 1982. It started to roll on its regular
operations from October 1982.
The
Palace on Wheels, on broad gauge, is clearly the pride of the Indian Railways.
It is luxurious, and it is modern.
The coaches have different names derived from the former princely states and
that provides the link for the coat of arms and the decor inside. Within each
carriage are comfortable of showers, built-in wardrobes with full-length mirrors,
overhead and night-lights, piped music, service bells and public address system.
The rooms and corridors are carpeted, the furniture inlaid and upholstered especially
for the train. Blinds drape large windows, which frame views across the desert
and the passing arid landscape. At the end of each coach is a lounge.
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