The Golden Chariot
| The Golden Chariot | |
|---|---|
 Logo of The Golden Chariot |
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| Manufacturer | Indian Railways |
| Built at | Integral Coach Factory, Chennai |
| Family name | Luxury Trains |
| Constructed | 2008 |
| Entered service | 2008 |
| Operator | Indian Railways and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) |
| Depot(s) | Whitefield, Bangalore |
| Line(s) served | Bangalore-Mysore-Hassan-Hospet-Badami-Vasco (Goa)-Bangalore (South Western Railway) |
The Golden Chariot is a luxury tourist train that connects the important tourist spots in the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa. It is named after the Stone Chariot in the Vitthala Temple at Hampi.[1] The 19 coaches on the train are coloured purple and gold, and sport the logo of a mythological animal with the head of an elephant and a body of a lion.[2] The Golden Chariot operates weekly and had its maiden commercial run on March 10, 2008.[3]
The train, along with the Deccan Odyssey, is designed on the lines of the more popular Palace on Wheels with accommodations, spa treatments and dining. The train is operated by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation and marketed by The Luxury Trains, whereas The Mapple Group handles the hospitality services on the train.[4][5]
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[edit] Route
The train offers a 7-day/8-night tour of Bangalore, Kabini, Mysore, Hassan, Hospet, Badami and Goa, before returning to Bangalore. The tourist attractions visited include the Nagarhole National Park, Mysore Palace, Srirangapatna forts, Hoysaleswara Temple, Gomateshwara and the Badami Cave Temples.[6] Passengers have the option to start their trips from either Bangalore or Goa.
Starting October, 2009, the Golden Chariot will also offer an extended two week tour that will cover Coimbatore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Trivandrum, and Kochi during the second week.[7]
[edit] Facilities
The Golden Chariot offers accommodation in 44 cabins in 11 coaches that are named after dynasties that ruled the region: Kadamba, Hoysala, Rashtrakuta, Ganga, Chalukya, Bahamani, Adil Shahi, Sangama, Satavahana, Yadukula and Vijayanagar. It also has two restaurants, a lounge bar, and conference, gym and spa facilities.[8][5] It is the only train in India to have onboard Wi-Fi connectivity, and satellite antennae providing live television service in the cabins.[4]
[edit] Passengers
The Golden chariot can accommodate 88 passengers,[2] and as of March 2009[update] operated at around 35% occupancy.[7] Most of the tourists on the train are from US, UK, Japan, France and Germany.[7]
[edit] Other tourism trains
[edit] References
- ^ "The Golden Chariot : Introduction". The Golden Chariot: Official website. http://www.thegoldenchariot.co.in/the_train.php. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
- ^ a b "Golden Chariot to sport regal colours". The Hindu. 2008-08-28. http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/28/stories/2007082861290500.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
- ^ "Golden Chariot train's first commercial run on March 10". The Times of India. 2008-02-28. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Golden_Chariot_trains_first_commercial_run_on_March_10/articleshow/2823743.cms. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
- ^ a b "The Golden Chariot is a totally wired train". The Hindu. 2008-02-01. http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/01/stories/2008020154680700.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
- ^ a b Somashekar, G.R.N. (2008-09-06). "Rajavilas on rails". The Hindu. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2008/09/26/stories/2008092650010100.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
- ^ "Golden Chariot: Journey". Golden Chariot: Official website. http://www.thegoldenchariot.co.in/journey.php. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
- ^ a b c "Now, Golden Chariot's luxury trail across South India". The Times of India. 2009-03-30. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore/Now-Golden-Chariots-luxury-trail-across-South-India/articleshow/4331616.cms. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
- ^ "Golden Chariot: Facilities". Golden Chariot: Official website. http://www.thegoldenchariot.co.in/facilities.php. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
