This is from Holiday IQ
Travelling by train has its own charm. The joy of peering out the window, lost in thoughts and witnessing the changing landscape.....living poetry
I've done the first one, Kalka to Shimla, and it's truly amazing. With my fascination for trains, when I was planning a trip to Australia, I actually picked Brisbane just as it claimed the best train journey in the world, but trust me , that was not a patch on the Himalayan Queen from Kalka to Shimla. :)
I've actually done this one twice, once when twenty and then twenty years later, but whats brilliant is that it still held the same rustic archaic beautiful experience. The first time was a day trip and the second time at night. And each was differently amazing. The one at night was like floating through the stars, like out of a Roald Dahl book. The lights of the villages on the hills which are around you through the ride, look like sparkling stars and the air is so clear that its like seeing a different level of sparkle, like being on dope if you know what I mean :)
Now the first time had a different and not so pleasant kind of adventure to it, one you'd rather forget. There was an accident.... a car fell off the road above and landed right on the track before the train. I initially loved being stranded there amongst the hills for two hours and there was a dhabha just out with a swing, and it was lovely...... until I got back in the bogie and saw that they'd put the body of the driver into our bogie. Travel is adventure I guess, whatever kind.
Now, this does look like a nice place to pick atleast one or more TBDs ( To be done's) or to add to the Bucket List as its easier understood, what say? Anyone game? ;)
Source: msn.com
Set in the backdrop of the Shivaliks, the route between Kalka and Shimla is one of the most picturesque in India. The train passes through more than 100 tunnels and 850 bridges. The train inches along the tracks built over bridges, which resembles art galleries of ancient Rome.
Source: digest18.com
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway connects Mettupalyam to Ooty, which is located at 7228 ft. Running at the speed of 10.5 km/hour, the train passes through many tunnels and bridges, offering wonderful viewsof the green hills, tea estates and tall girder bridges. HolidayIQ Traveller Priyam says, “The train stops at many stations, each one more beautiful and quaint than the other. You can buy snacks at almost all stations but tea served at Coonoor is a must!”
Source: blogspot.com
Rameshwaram located on Pamban Island is connected to Mandapan via the Pamban Bridge. The train ride across the Pamban Bridge provides a beautiful view of the Palk Strait. HolidayIQ Traveller Pradeep says, “Don't miss the Pamban Bridge view from the train. Those who love photography will love it and must get some good clicks of the bridge.”
Source: waytoindia.com
Nestled between the Sahyadris and the Arabian Sea, Konkan Railway operates trains between Margoa to Mumbai. Trains pass through many tunnels and over 2000 river bridges. Sarbajit Ghosh, a HolidayIQ Traveller says, “The train passes through more than 100 tunnels, each time opening up to new scenery. I will rate this journey as one of my best ever.”
5. Neral to Matheran
Source: indiamarks.com
The Matheran Hill Railway is the only heritage train in Maharashtra. The narrow gauge rail route between Neral and Matheran goes through forests and offers panoramic views. The train covers a distance of 20 km in one-and-a-half hours. HolidayIQ Traveller Vinish says, “The train covers a distance of 12 miles in an hour thereby allowing the passengers ample of time to soak in the scenic views.”
Source: blogspot.com
The Desert Queen rail route between Jaipur and Jaisalmer passes through the Thar Desert of Rajasthan offeringviews of sand dunes and desert wildlife. HolidayIQ Traveller Jasvir Singh says that the view of sand dunes from the window is very beautiful.
Source: odysseytravels.net
The oldest mountain railway in India, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway offers stunning views of the mountains including the Kanchenjunga. The highlight of the route is the natural loops the train passes through; the most famous being the Batasia Loop. HolidayIQ Traveller Megha says, “The train takes a very long time to cover the distance but the splendid views it offers makes it worth it. It is a once in a lifetime experience.”
Reading yr description of the Shimla journey by night, I was reminded of my Taj by night on a full moon day. As u walk towards the monument the white marble takes on a differendifferent hue in the moonlight. As u stand in front it seems as if the whole structure is floating in air. U also get a feeling of levitation. U can't help thinking that it is the closest star to you, it is Jannat, the heaven,the abode of God; it really doesn't matter which god u believe in. You wish you could stretch out and press the calling bell!
ReplyDeletebut the road to heaven is strewn with obstacles.obstacles . Have to book ur tickets in advance, the security checks so stringent that there were more security men than tourists. In following SC orders to the T they allowed cameras but not videos which could have captured the etherAl beauty of the floating taj in its full splendour and magnifisance. But that wasn't to be.
As we came out one couldn't help thinking that even the obstacles on the road to real Heaven were perhaps man made and hence not insurmountable!
Hey whoever....Detailed description that. Taj by a full moon day is yet a khwaish of mine...ever since I read about it in a Sarath Chandra Chattopadyay novel years and years ago. Heaven I don't know, but Taj I hope to do... thanks for that reminder :)
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