| About Deccan odyssey |
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| Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Ltd in
association with Indian Railways and Ministry of Tourism operating a Super Deluxe
luxury train "The Deccan Odyssey". The train has been benchmarked against the
best luxury trains in the world like the Blue Train of South Africa, The Orient
Express of Europe and the Eastern and Oriental of South East Asia.
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| The Deccan Odyssey's sheer luxury is a sight to
behold. Everything in the train reflects the ways of Indian Royalty. The plush
interiors, an awesome delicious cuisine and grate sites to see makes the
journey memorable. This luxurious train transports its guests on a remarkable
sojourn of a land shining in legions grandeur - serene beaches, magnificent
forts - palaces and experiencing divine tales etched in colossal rocks. A
weeklong royal journey is through some of the best places in Maharashtra namely
Mumbai, Sindhudurg, Tarkarli, Goa, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Ellora, Ajanta and
Nasik. The objective of running "The Deccan Odyssey" train is primarily to
showcase the best of tourism assets of Maharashtra like pristine beauty of
Konkan coast, the art, the culture, the heritage (including world
heritage sites of Ajanta - Ellora) of Maharashtra as well as Maharashtra's
local arts, crafts and cuisine. |
| The train has 21 coaches, out of which 12 are
passenger cars accommodating 8 people per coach (10 passenger Cars, 4 coupes
per coach - 2 Presidential Suite Cars, 2 coupes per coach), 1 Conference Car, 2
Dinning Cars, 2 Generator Cars with Luggage Store, 2 Staff, spare Car, 1 Spa
Car, 1 Bar Car. The train has on-board facilities like T.V., Cable connection
with central audio disc player, cell phones, Channel Music, Foreign exchange
facilities, etc. The capacity of the train is 80 pax. |
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The route has been fixed as Mumbai - Sindhudurg - Goa -
Vasco - Kolhapur -
Aurangabad(Ellora) - Jalgaon(Ajanta) - Nashik and Mumbai. It will be a seven
days round trip starting
on Wednesday from Mumbai. The seasonal tours will operate every year
between
October to April month. The itinerary of the tour is broadly as
follows:
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1st
Day- Mumbai
2nd Day-
Sindhudurg Nagri-Sindhudurg Fort-Tarkarl Beach-Dhamapur Village
3rd Day-
Goa - Visit to St. Augustine Church, Basilica of Bom Jesus Church, Se Cathedral
Church, St.Francis of Assissi a Museum of Goan antiques and visit to Fontanhas
the Latin Quarters at Panjim.
4th Day-
Goa (Vasco) - Visit to Mangeshi a Hindu Temple, the Safa Masjid a prominent Islamic Shrine, Sahakari Spice Farm, Menezes
Braganza House at Chandor village.
5th Day-
Kolhapur- New Palace, Museum, Bhavani Mandap Mahalaxmi Temple - Shalini Palace.
6th Day-
Aurangabad-Daulatabad-Ellora Caves-Bibi-ka-Maqbara
7th Day-
Ajanta Caves / Nasik
8th
Day- Mumbai. |
| In the above programme, the train takes
you through various facets of tourism attractions of Maharashtra
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| On day one Board the train in the
evening at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus a World Heritage Site. This is
undoubtedly one of the famous Gothic buildings and an integral part of Mumbai's
skyline. Wine and dine in the luxurious comforts of this train and whistle off
on your royal voyage.
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Next day the train chugs in to the tip of the Konkan coast, Kudal
Railway station. A luxury AC bus transfers you to Malvan
Jetty from the station. From here a boat rides to unconquered Ocean Fort of Sindhudurg. Walk on two-mile long rampart walls and watch breathtaking view of the vast open sea as it fires a volley of spray 30 ft. below.
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| From here head out to Tarkarli, a virgin beach at the confluence of river Karli and Arabian Sea.
A hard day at the sea is imminent, so rest at the Tarkarli Beach Resort's 'Konkani' style cottages is soothing. Indeed a perfect place to enjoy the mouth-watering 'Malvani' cuisine
and then unwind. Afternoon depart for Kudal Railway Station, on way visit to
Dhamapur a village situated on the banks of the lake. Dinner onboard.
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On day two as the train pulls in to Goa, get ready to explore an exotic destination
frequented by tourists from all corners of the globe. Welcome to Goa, the
land of India's finest golden sand beaches, jungle clad hills, imposing ancient
churches and elegant mansions, splashed with colour of bougainvillea. |
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Once in Goa, you can start off with Old Goa. Take a walk amid the ruins
of St. Augustine Church once largest cathedral in Goa. Basilica of Bom Jesus, this is 16th Century Church, the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier is enshrined here. Se Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of Assissi that began as a mosque but now is an archaeological museum for Goan antiques. Also on the card is a walk through Fontanhas, the Latin quarters at Panjim.
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Next, free time for a short walk in the city of Panjim a Capital of Goa. One
can do some shopping to carry memories of this beautiful State.
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It's time for an afternoon finger licking Goan delicacies, onboard the Deccan
Odyssey.
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Evening proceed to Beach side hotel for cultural program and dinner.
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The day has ended, but in Goa, it is
just the beginning.
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Morning detrain at Vasco station and board the bus to visit Mangeshi, a Hindu Temples of God Shiva revealing typical architecture of old
temples and the Safa Masjid. It is a prominent Islamic shrine in Ponda, commonly regarded the citadel of Hindu pilgrimages in Goa. Built in 1560 by Ibrahim Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur.
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From here proceed to one of the biggest and finest Spice Farm in the Country a
"Sahakari Spice Farm" at Ponda village. Situated among the lush green
surroundings of Ponda place is extremely popular among international tourist.
Visitors are traditionally welcomed at the entrance. After brief halt in the
restaurant for welcome drink and snacks, a guided tour of the farm starts. This
organic spice farm has variety of herbal and medicinal trees. The guide
explains different spices and their medical values during tour which is about
45 minutes.
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Typical Goan lunch is served here.
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In free time one can also take Elephant ride at own cost.
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From farm house proceed to one of the finest heritage house of 16th century
know as "Menezes Braganza House". It is one of the last remaining structures
that date back to the pre-Portuguese era in Goa. The architecture and the
interiors of the house make you feel as if you are going back in history. It is one of the oldest heritage houses of Goa.
This has been the traditional family home of the Braganzas for many than four
centuries. Even today, the lady of the house, Mrs Braganza, an octogenarian,
still lives in the house and takes the visitors to a tour of the house herself.
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Proceed to Madgaon Railway Station to board the train for
next destination - Kolhapur. Enjoy the dinner onboard.
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Next day you arrive at Kolhapur a city with multifaceted persona and mythical past. The Hindu era lasted till
1347, followed by the Muslim rule which was from 1347-1700. The magnificent
temples of Kolhapur were built during the glorious periods of the Satavahana
kings and the Shilaharas. The Marathas controlled this area from 1700 to 1849.
In 1849, the British took over and Chhatrapati Sahu Maharaj was declared as
the ruler of Kolhapur.
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First stop is at New Palace, this architectural marvel known as the Chhatrapati Shahu Museum. The museum houses rare paintings and artifacts used by the royal family. Royal weapons and a tableau depicting court life of the last century create an aristocratic ambience.
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Next is Bhawani Mandap (The Town Hall). Antiques found during the excavations at Brahmagiri, old sculptures, filigree work in sandal wood and ivory, old coins and paintings of master artists of the region are all displayed here. Move on to see an exquisitely carved Mahalaxmi Temple,here you learn how the demon Kolhasura was destroyed by Goddess Mahalaxmi and then proceed to Shalini Palace to enjoy traditional Martial Art locally known as “Mardani Khel” at Palace and cultural programme. Collect some great mementos from an array of handicraft stalls.
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At noon board the train at Kolhapur station.
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Enjoy the Lunch and Leisure time onboard as the train moves on for next
destination.
Dinner onboard. |
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Travelling along the rolling hills and picturesque ruins of the past, you
travel way back in time to Aurangabad. Founded by Aurangzeb, Aurangabad's
heritage is rich and diversified.
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After breakfast in the train, a luxury coach takes you to the majestic fortress
of Daulatabad. An impregnable defense in its day, it still stands tall and
proud. Walk around the ruins, which tell you extraordinary stories of bravery
and valour.
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Visit world famous Ellora Caves. This World Heritage Site's 34 brilliantly carved rock-cut temples represent Buddhist, Jain and Hindu faiths. The caves include
'viharas' (monasteries) and 'chaityas' (chapels) where the monks worshipped.
The Hindu caves lie in the centre of the group. The most famous of them being
the Kailasanatha Temple (8th century). It is the most magnificent of all the
rock-cut structures at Ellora. Completely open to the elements, it is the only
building that was begun from the top. The Jain caves, less grand in comparison
to the others are richly carved with lotus, elephant, lions and 'tirthankaras'
of Lord Mahavira. They offer an aura of peace and simplicity.
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Come back to Aurangabad for lunch at the 5 star hotel.
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After lunch move on to see, Bibi-ka-Maqbara, a replica of Taj Mahal is a grand
piece of Moghul architecture.
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Free time for shopping Paithani, Himroo, Bidriwork from showrooms for a perfect
memorabilia.
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Soon, it's time to go back to the station for a mouth-watering feast in the
train and then to travel even further back in time.
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Seventh day brings you to Jalgaon railway station. After a royal
breakfast depart for T-Junction in a luxury AC bus. Board the eco-friendly bus to surround yourself by dramatic views of the Waghora valley the hideout of the Ajanta Caves.
Older than the Ellora caves, these caves once lost to the world, were discovered by accident in 1819, by a
party of British officers on a hunting expedition.
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At Ajanta, 'Bodhisattva Padmapani', 'Boddhisattva Avalokitesvara'. 'The Birth of the
Buddha' and 'The Thousand Buddhas' are amongst the finest murals and sculptures
ever found. The paintings on the ceiling, particularly the elephant scattering
the lotus, charging bull, the black princess and the row of dancers with
musicians mesmerize tourists from all over the world.
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After a quick shopping break for artifacts and souvenirs, back track to Jalgaon
Station. Then mouthwatering lunch onboard as you reaches Nashik.
From where you travel by AC bus to Panchavati Ghat a holy land of Kumbh Mela, a pilgrim fair held once in every 12 years. Visit Kala Ram Temple built in 1794 and feel blessed.
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Finally, when you head back to
the Nashik Road Station, it's time for the Deccan Odyssey train to move from
the past to the future. Get ready to alight at the most advanced business
capital of India, Mumbai.
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Enjoy the breakfast on board as the sun rises over the commercial capital of
India. Alight at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in the morning enriched with
the rich legacy of this land. The royal journey is over, but the memory of
which, will live on forever.
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Maharashtra - it has, for five thousand years, seen various dynasties beyond
Vindhya ruling over the Deccan Plateau from the days of Rashtrakutas,
Vakatakas, Satvahanas, Shilaharas, Chalukyas, Yadavas, Marathas, Portuguese and
English. All these dynasties have left behind their marks in the forms of
monument and heritage sites, the wadas, the palaces, the churches, the temples,
the synagogues, the mosques. The State with 27 wild life sanctuaries, 4
National Parks, numerous religious sites, places of scenic beauty, scores of
beaches, thousands of forts and unique culture depicted in its folk arts, the
colourful festivals, its cuisine, handicraft. A tourist will get a glimpse of
all these just in seven days, a capsule of Maharashtra - the Great State.
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