The Indian Maharaja – A Sneak-Peek Into the World of Erstwhile Indian Royalty

Feb 14, 2013 15:59 - addyson | 1,964 views

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Me and my husband always thought of going on-board one of the luxury trains of India, but we were not sure which one to pick from out of the group of 6. After the Indian Maharaja won the award for Asia’s leading luxury train at the recent World Travel Awards, we decided to take a journey aboard this train. We had slight apprehensions at first, after having a look at the website we got the feeling that we were in for something really extraordinary. I must say, going on-board the Indian Maharaja was almost a sneak-peek into the world of erstwhile Indian royalty. Although the price seemed to be slightly high  at $1110 (gold class) per person per night, we were assured that the great experience would more than make up for it.

The Indian Maharaja

The train offers two journeys and we picked the one from Delhi to Mumbai for 7 nights and 8 days. We arrived at the Safdarjung Railway Station 15 minutes before departure as we were asked to and when the check-in formalities started (the time this process takes is slightly long), a woman decked-up in a Maharashtri sari, applied vermillion on our foreheads and garlands were put around our necks. It was also nice that men were playing musical instruments in the background.

The Indian Maharaja Restaurant

Once we boarded the Indian Maharaja, we were served a welcome drink by traditionally attired waiters. After we settled in one of the appointed 21 air-conditioned coaches, we set out to explore every possible nook and corner of the train. Our room had stunning décor and all the possible luxuries, like a plush private bath, electronic safety deposit, individual climate control, Channel music and much more. By the time we came to the end, we were in complete awe of the beauty of the train.

Double Bed Presidential Suite

There was a well-stocked bar that had both Indian and International brands where we both enjoyed a sip of our favorite drink (slightly over-priced). Then we checked-out the 2 restaurants, where we relished lip-smacking Indian and world cuisines during our journey. The staff was extremely courteous and well-mannered. I even enjoyed an Ayurvedic hot-oil massage at the health spa while my husband was relaxing in the sitting lounge, chit-chatting with the fellow passengers. For your information, there is also a well-equipped conference car.

Spa Car

Even the itinerary of the train was meticulously planned, taking us through some of the most amazing destinations of the country like Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Mumbai, Jaipur, Udaipur and more.  We enjoy sightseeing, shopping, cultural performances and impeccable services during planned lavish dinner at heritage properties. It is no exaggeration that going on-board the Indian Maharaja, was an unforgettable experience with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

About the Author
A keen observer of all things natural, Sushant has an even keener aptitude for detailing his travel experiences which include cross-country runs, luxury stays, backpacking, food reviews, roadtrips, mountain treks… possibly everything under the realm of travel. He likes to documents his experiences in a lighter vein and expects them to be read the same way. And yes, he hopes to make a decent living out of his scribbles.

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