“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step”- Lao Tzu.
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| The Deccan Odyssey Tourist Train of India |
It is certainly true that without taking this one single step towards your goal, you cannot even think of reaching it. The Indian luxury train Deccan Odyssey took its first step towards a royal tour to Maharashtra in the year 2004 and not to mention this tiny step proved to be a boon for the tourism industry of the state. A brainchild of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, Deccan Odyssey is the embodiment of a golden dream of its visionaries. Over the years, this royal Indian train has been refurbished many a times so that the best can be shared with the guests.
Mark Twain once described India to be a place where nothing has been left undone, either by man or by nature; thus every train journey of Deccan Odyssey is tailored to offer the guests such a complete picture of this blessed country which the sun visits first on his everyday rounds. Sumptuously selected Deccan Odyssey destinations create a complete picture of the south-western India in a tour to Maharashtra. Traversing through the different places, every day brings new surprises for the travelers as some places unfold the myths of history where as some others give glimpses of rapidly developing India.
Mumbai- The surreal journey of Deccan Odyssey embarks from one of the most alluring gothic buildings, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in the dream city of Mumbai. The curve of the Arabian Ocean popularly known as ‘Queen’s Necklace’ and the ever busy city life adorn the city with a graceful charm. This commercial capital of India also has kept the memories of the medieval India in its casket of jewels. The eternal love of the people of the city for the film industry pulsates in its every beat. Amid this cosmopolitan lifestyle, every pious soul finds a tranquil abode of Almighty in the Haji Ali Dargah. The signature building of Mumbai, Gateway of India is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture which was built by the colonial rulers as a main gateway entrance to India. The past and present world seems to accompany each-other in the city of Mumbai.
Sindhudurg- Curved out of the erstwhile Ratnagiri District, Sindhudurg is a district town in the state of Maharashtra. Abundantly surrounded by greenery and blue ocean water, Sindhudurg also forms an important chapter of history of Maharashtra. The glorious past of the state pulsates in every corner of the state where abundant of waterfalls, backwaters, beaches and pilgrimage destinations beautify the place. The district town is named after the famous Sindhudurg fort standing on a rocky island known as Kurte. The Maratha warrior king Shivaji built this giant fort to protect his people from the external attacks. Beautiful seashore, picturesque mountains and scenic natural beauty all are present in this district of Maharashtra.
Goa- Largely popular for its golden sandy beaches, Goa is one of the most lucrative holiday destinations in India. This small state in the south-western region of India is rich in every aspect- whether it is the history, the culture, the scenic beauty or even the per capita income ratio. Ruled by the Dutch and Portuguese for hundreds of years, Goa still bears its fragrance of the past. The stretch of beaches near Arabian Ocean and the fleet of palm groves certainly create a feeling of merriment in every soul. Thousands of travelers from all around the world come to Goa every year to experience some of the adventurous sports like scuba diving, parasailing, dinghy sailing, snorkeling and many more. The life in Goa becomes alive at night when the beats of music in the night clubs encourage every traveler to tap their steps on the rhythm of music.
Kolhapur- The religious pride of Maharashtra, Kolhapur is home to various temples and holy destinations. It is also known as ‘Dakshin Kashi’ as it is situated in the river banks of Panchaganga. In Kolhapur one can witness a beautiful medley of arts, aristocracy and graciousness with that of spiritualism, education and modernization. The Kolhapuri chappals, jiggery and jewelry are world famous and are exported to the western nations in a great quantity. The home to Maharashtra film industry, Kolhapur is credited to conceptualize the first feature film in India ‘Raja Harishchandra’. Adorned with architectural marvels and scenic beauty, Kolhapur is one of the precious gem stones fitted in the crown of India.
Daulatabad- A 14th century fort city in Maharashtra, Daulatabad is famous for its formidable hill fort standing on a conical hill. A symbol of strength and power, this hill fort is positioning with pride even after hundreds of years of its construction. The erstwhile sultan of Delhi, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq named the city Daulatab after he captured the city. The mysterious tales of the Tughlaq dynasty attracts thousands of visitors every year to this ‘city of wealth’. One of the best preserved forts of medieval period, this fort has hundreds of secret passages that will confound you even today. The enchanting scenic views and the still alive history of the city magnetize tourists from all around the world.
Ajanta- The bystanders of ancient Indian history, Ajanta caves are situated just 105 kilometers away from the Indian city of Aurangabad. The caves are mysterious yet fascinating. Out of the total of 30 caves in Ajanta, 5 are Chaitya Grihas (Buddhist or Jain shrine with a Stupa) and the rests are monasteries. Built in the earlier part of 2nd century BC, these mysteriously besutiful caves were lost in the darkness of time. Depicting the evolution of Buddhist architecture from the Hinayana period to Mahayana period, the Ajanta caves bring alive the ancient romances in the form of rock cut paintings. The main Buddha statue in cave no-1 depicts three different moods depending upon where the light is shown from. The fresco-type paintings are the main attractions of Ajanta which are certainly a delight for the senses of the visitors.
Nasik- Situated in the western edge of the Deccan Peninsula, Nasik is one of the most sacred destinations in India. According to the legends, Lord Rama spent his 14 years of exile in the Tapovana located near to Nasik. The amalgamation of the old and the new make this Maharashtrian city an alluring place for its visitors. Sometime referred to as the green belt of Maharashtra, it has a large number of vegetable and fruit orchards. The remarkable structures of historical importance interspersed by temples, forts and industrial units, Nasik is one of the best places to answer the higher calling in you.
Though the Deccan Odyssey destinations are diverse and shares different flavors of life, all of them together offers a window to the soul of a country known as ‘India’. The varied phases of time- ancient, medieval and modern are vivified in a journey on this Indian luxury train. Sharing the real spirit of one of the most colorful nations on the face of earth, the luxury Indian train tour onboard Deccan Odyssey is a dreamland journey to India.
