Hyderabad: I reckon we all engage in travelling. The exercise is nothing short of a wanderlust odyssey. It is noteworthy to mention that the Maharajas’ Express is the most extravagant and high-priced luxury train operating in the world.
Maharajas’ Express – The Southern Jewels
For a few moments, take a break and imagine a gargantuan wedge plunging into the Indian Ocean. South India is the subcontinent’s steamy heartland – a lush contrast to the peaks and plains up north.
Incredible Heritage
Wherever one traverses southern India, one uncovers iconic relics of several civilisations that have inhabited this land for over two millennia. Tamil Nadu’s inspired Pallava sculptures and the towering Chola temples, the ethereal ruins of the Vijayanagara capital at Hampi, and countless other treasures make the region a cultural melting pot with few parallels.
Luscious Landscapes
Stretching over thousands of kilometres, South India’s cascading coastline frames fertile plains, shimmering backwaters, and rolling green hills. This ever-changing terrain comes alive with the double-barrelled monsoon, creating a lush, glistening landscape.
Amazing Culinary Delights
South India’s culinary tradition offers a mélange of flavours for both the connoisseur and the gluttonous. Dosas (savoury crêpes) and fluffy idlis (fermented rice cakes) are staples of the region. Goa’s spicy, Portuguese-influenced cuisine adds fiery, inventive fusion to the platter.
The Itinerary
The Southern Jewels journey begins in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of God’s Own Country, Kerala, and concludes in Mumbai, India’s financial hub.
After visiting Kollam Beach and the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, guests board the Maharajas’ Express as the sun sets over the Arabian Sea. A sumptuous dinner follows as the train glides toward Mahabalipuram, known for its pristine beaches and the 8th-century Shore Temple built during the Pallava dynasty.
The next halt is Chettinad in interior Tamil Nadu, where visitors explore Chettinad mansions and the famed Athangudi Tile Factory. The journey continues to Mysuru, where guests visit the magnificent Mysuru Palace, the Ranganatha Swamy Temple, and the armoury of Tipu Sultan.
The voyage then reaches Goa, a coastal paradise where travellers visit historic churches and have the option to unwind on its sun-kissed beaches. A visit to the Goa Chitra Museum rounds off the day before the train proceeds to Ratnagiri.
Maharajas’ Express – Southern Sojourn
South India symbolises classical Indian heritage. Its temples, churches, mosques, and synagogues reflect a deeply interwoven spiritual and pluralistic culture.
The Itinerary
The Southern Sojourn begins in Mumbai and travels through Ratnagiri on the Konkan coast, the beaches of Goa, the ruins of Hampi, Mysuru, and finally Kerala.
In Ratnagiri, guests explore the Ratnadurg Fort overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Bhagwati Temple. The following day is spent in North Goa, exploring historic churches, Old Panjim houses, and the Goa Chitra Museum.
The medieval splendour of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a glimpse into the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire. After a night journey, the train reaches Mysuru, where guests visit the Mysuru Palace and enjoy an exclusive lunch experience.
The train then rolls into Kochi, the “Queen of the Arabian Sea,” known for its synagogue, St. Francis Church, and the grave of Vasco da Gama. On the seventh day, guests enjoy a serene canoe cruise through Kerala’s tranquil backwaters before concluding their journey in Thiruvananthapuram.
“Remember that happiness is a way of travel – not a destination,” wrote Roy M. Goodman. One could very well say that travel itself is a way of happiness.
About the Author
Ravi Valluri is Advisor, Krishnapatnam Railway Company Limited. He has authored both fiction and non-fiction works and is a faculty member of the Art of Living. His latest work is Sita to Abhaya: Have Things Changed?
He can be reached at valluri.ravi@gmail.com or WhatsApp at 9618564024.