Deccan Odyssey

Deccan Odyssey

Logo of Deccan Odyssey
Manufacturer Indian Railways
Built at Integral Coach Factory, Chennai
Family name Luxury Trains
Constructed 2003
Entered service 2004
Operator(s) Indian Railways and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC)
Depot(s) Mumbai

The Deccan Odyssey is a special luxury train based on the model of Palace on Wheels to boost tourism on the Maharashtra route of the Indian Railways. It is a venture of the Maharashtra Government and the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.[1] In addition to being a train that touches tourist spots, this aims to be a complete 5-star hotel on wheels, with two restaurants and a bar, a sauna, business center and other such amenities on board. The coaches fitted with special amenities were manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai.

The train ride through the hinterlands of Maharashtra, the majestic Western Ghats, into the Deccan Plateau and Konkan regions of a vast and diverse continent. This itinerary includes visits to some of the most prominent & unexplored destinations of west-central India, with a trip to the holy city of Nashik, now also India's wine capital to the unrivaled Ajanta & Ellora Caves the historical city of Kolhapur with its many experiences,to Goa, India's most popular holiday destination; a visit to the holy city of Ratnagiri. No, moving from premier metropolis toward the capital city New Delhi through the Royal culture of Rajasthan at Udaipur and Jaipur by witnessing the ever lasting monument of love in Agra. In between you also get an opportunity to discover the pugmarks of history at the only sanctuary of Asiatic Lions in the world, marvel at the unique featureless landscape of the Little Rann of Kutch, wander through the architectural wonders of Modhera. This majestic train journey gives you a lifetime experiences in different cities of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and surrounding regions of India.[2]

History

After noticing the success of Palace on Wheels, the Maharashtra state decided to have such a train, in order to develop the tourism industry in the state and surrounding regions. This resulted in Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) along with Indian Railway started the project. On 17 January 2004, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee flagged off the train with remote control from the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai at 5.30 pm. The ceremonial inaugural run took from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station to Thane and back. The train kicked off its maiden commercial journey on 4 February 2004. At that time MTDC has appointed the Taj group of Hotels to manage the food and beverage and house keeping on the luxury train. The train had 36 Taj staffers on board.

The Deccan Odyssey planned to operate for 35 weeks each year. It will start from Mumbai CST every Wednesday evening and return the following Wednesday morning. From Mumbai, it will take off to Ratnagiri, Sindudurg, Goa, Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik.

In 2004, the Maharashtra government stopped its run of the Deccan Odyssey, citing poor response, but restarted it after the monsoon season.

Later MTDC started giving the train on lease to tour operators like Luxury Train, Thomson Cook (India), which changed the name of the train to Indian Maharaja and resulted in a petition filed by Harshad Gawade, a local tour operator from Sindhudurg in the Bombay high court.

From December 2010, The Deccan Odyssey train, taken on charter from Government of Maharashtra started with aim to have a journey across four Sikh takhts, with a flight by devout and sightseers to the fifth takht (Takht Sri Patna Sahib).

Presently Cox and Kings Pvt. Ltd, operates the train.

About the Train

Facilities

The Deccan Odyssey offers accommodation in 40 deluxe cabins in 10 coaches. It also has 4 presidential suites in 2 cars, 1 Conference car with business center, 2 restaurants, a well stocked bar and a spa with steam, massage, a mini gym and a parlor. Other facilities include a library, 6 Channels DVD for your viewing pleasure at the lounges and 6 Channels of Music in each cabins.

Accommodation

10 fully air-conditioned Deluxe Cabin saloons, each with combination of 4 twin bedded chambers and 2 fully air-conditioned Presidential Suite saloons each with 2 suites with combination of living room & bed room. Saloons are equipped with channel music, intercom, player, attached toilets, running hot and cold water, shower, wall-to-wall carpeting and other amenities.[3]

Destinations

The Deccan Odyssey offers 6 different itineraries consisting of 8 days and 7 nights. The itineraries are named as Maharashtra Splendor, Indian Odyssey, Indian Sojourn, Jewels Of The Deccan, Hidden Treasures Of Gujarat and Maharashtra A Wild Trail.

Maharashtra Splendor

The journey begins from Mumbai to Goa via Nashik, Ajanta Ellora Caves, Kolhapur, Sindhudurg and back.

Indian Odyssey

This tour starts from New Delhi and travels to Sawai Madhopur, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Vadodara, Ellora Caves, then ends in Mumbai.

Indian Sojourn

This is just the upside down version of Indian Odyssey which begins from Mumbai up to New Delhi in earlier mentioned route.

Jewels Of The Deccan

This expedition starts from Mumbai and moves to Bijapur, Aihole, Pattadakal, Hampi, Hyderabad, Ellora Ajanta Caves and finally back to Mumbai.

Hidden Treasures Of Gujarat

This amazing journey to witness the beauty of Gujarat also begins from Mumbai followed by Vadodara, Palitana, Gir, Little Rann of Kutch, Modhera, Nashik and back to Mumbai.

Maharashtra A Wild Trail

This tour which helps you to enjoy Maharashtra in depth starts at Mumbai CST and move towards Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, Pench (Ramtek), Tadoba, Ajanta Caves, Nashik and finally back to Mumbai.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Deccan Odyssey - The Official Website of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation". Maharashtratourism.gov.in. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  2. ↑ "Deccan Odyssey - The official website".
  3. ↑ "On board Services". Maharashtratourism.gov.in.
  4. ↑ "Tour Dates". Maharashtratourism.gov.in.

External links

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