Accommodation in Palace on Wheels

Since its first journey in 1882, Palace on Wheels has been fulfilling the highest of expectations.

Palace on Wheels has more than 20 years' experience recreating a service on board our trains and cruises that is delivered with flair, originality and personal care.

Your delight will know no bound when you explore Rajasthan through a Palace On Wheels tour. On board, feel like a maharaja, traveling in royal splendor. Each coach is named after the princely state of Rajasthan. It is equipped with four twin-bedded chambers, thoughtfully decorated in ethnic Rajasthani décor. Intercom, channel music, attached toilets with hot and cold baths, shower and wall-to-wall carpeting are some of the facilities to make the travelers quite comfortable. Each salon in the Palace on Wheels has personal attendants or Khidmatgars present at your service round the clock in case you need anything.

The Palace on Wheels has fourteen air-conditioned and splendidly decorated saloons, which offers superb accommodation facilities, which are found only in the luxury five star hotels. These salons are the replicas of the ancient coaches used by the rulers of the princely states. Each of these coaches follows a theme design for the interiors revealing the characteristics of that particular state.

1. Alwar Coach

An aesthetically painting is the hallmark of the ceiling of the Alwar coach lounge. Done in cone work and oils in relief, it depicts a hunting scene. Added to this the royal emblem and a miniature painting adorn the lounge. Subtle tones of pink enhance the romantic ambience of the lounge.

2. Bharatpur Coach

Bharatpur was the abode Maharaja Suraj Mal, who had been described as the Plato of Jat tribes' and 'Jat Ulysses' for his intellect, sagacity and clear vision. Today Bharatpur is known all over the world for the Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary, one of the finest in the world. The sanctuary is home to over 376 avian species. The relief work on Bharatpur coach echoes the vividness of nature's gift to Bharatpur, which has been well depicted in the painting with various species of birds on the tree of life. The 'nature' theme is further reinforced by the white cedar inlay work depicting birds and painted peacocks, sitting on a haveli worked on a mirror. The color scheme, with its abundance of beige and aqua green, is a colorful reminder of lush green forests of Bharatpur and Ghana.

3. Bikaner Coach

The color scheme of the lounge is motivated by the lavish coronation rooms in burning red and gold of the Padam Mahal and Anup Mahal of the Junagarh fort. The royal state crest is highlighted on the valance along with some handicrafts of Rajasthan. The ceiling is done up in relief work and an oil painting on canvas, depicting the legendry lovers Dhola and Maru on camelback. The artwork in the lounge is in the Mughal-influenced style of the Bikaner School of Art.

4. Bundi Coach

An imposing structure is depicted in watercolour work in one of the bedrooms. The famous Ragmala also called Rag Ragini; paintings of Bundi have been highlighted through oil paintings on canvas and are attractively placed on the ceilings. The royal crest is placed on the valance. The famous Bundi School of painting is depicted in the framed and mounted art pieces, influencing the color scheme and overall décor, including a delightfully frescoed ceiling.

5. Dholpur Coach

Dholpur is known for its locally quarried sandstone used for building palaces and for latticework extensively used for balcony railings. The rails in the coach are made of teak ply depicting the fine stonework. The Dholpur crest decorates the valance in intricate zardosi work.

6. Dungarpur Coach

Dungarpur meaning 'Hill Town' is wild and rugged and known for its architecture and the Bhil tribals. The ceiling is done up in a mixture of relief and mirror work in the line with the 'lep' work done by the tribals on the walls of their houses. The royal state crest, in zardosi work, appears on the valance of the blinds.

7. Jaisalmer Coach

The City is home to the Jaisalmer fort, epitomized by Satyajit Ray, the celebrated filmmaker of international repute, in the 'Shonar Kella' (The Golden Fortress), a celluloid masterpiece .The city is also noted for its havelies, cobbled streets, old Jain temples and a festive gaiety that reverberates across the shimmering sands of the Thar desert. The intricately latticed havelies with conspicuous facades served as the inspiration for the intricately carved jharokhas on the lounge ceiling. It is done on teak wood with a mirror backing. The famous Jawahar Niwas façade has been depicted in the state lounge cone, metal, copper and silver medium. The royal insignia adorns the valance of the blinds. The color scheme reflects the beige of the desert sands.

8. Jaipur Coach

Founded by Maharaja Swai Jai Singh in 1727 A.D. and planned by the Bengali architect Vidhyadhar, the Pink City of Jaipur was the dream project of astronomer king. A fascinating land, Jaipur has innumerable forts, palaces and gardens that attract a multitude of visitors every year. Fairs and festivals reflect the exuberant charm of the people here. The ceiling of the state lounge has been created using the famed 'Phad' or foil work, depicting festivals like Holi, Gangaur, Teej, and Diwali etc. The royal emblem of the state is done in Zardozi work. It graces the valance. The walls have been decorated with miniature paintings of the famous Jaipur style of painting. The ceilings have been painted frescoes, done in complementary colors, reflecting the state's color scheme of Blue and Gold.

9. Jhalawar Coach

Founded in 1838 A.D by the Jhalas, a clan of valiant Rajputs, this was a powerful kingdom. It is an enchanting land with immense natural beauty. Legends of chivalry and valor find expression in the several folklores which abound in this region. Jhalawar is also home to some beautiful temples and some Buddhist caves. The ceiling has been worked out in a medium used by the local inhabitants of the Jhalawar to decorate their homes. A play of colors and a mirror work has used in the medium of plaster of paris to create a unique ambience. The royal insignia of the erstwhile state in zardozi work is seen on the valance along with handicrafts supporting the tabletops of the state lounge.

10. Jodhpur Coach

Perched on the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur was once capital of the former princely state of Marwar, which means 'Land of Death', probably, referring to the harsh desert climate. The second largest city after Jodhpur in Rajasthan, the city has been dubbed as the Blue City after the indigo color-wash of its old town houses.

The Mehrangarh Fort which defines the city of Jodhpur is fascinating with its cusped arcades and the Mughal influenced designs of the Moti Mahal recreated in mother-of-pearl work on the ceilings. The royal crest is highlighted on the valance along with the miniature paintings in the lounge, which is typical of the Jodhpur School of Art.

11. Kishangarh Coach

The Bani Thani paintings of the state with their exaggerated features like eyes and long fingers are well known. One of these famous paintings is recreated on the ceiling in acrylic, painted with enamel and foil. The crest appears in zardozi work on the blinds of the windows with an artwork of the Kishangarh school of Art highlighted on the wall of the state lounge.

12. Kota Coach

Once a prosperous Rajput state, Kota is picturesquely located beside the Chambal river, surrounded by verdant forests and picnic gardens. The City Palace is a grand structure. The entry to the place is through the Hati Pol, which is brightly painted with figures of elephants. Kota is well known for the Kota school of design. These elements have served as the basis for designing the décor of this coach. The distinctive features of the Kota school of art can be seen in the oil paintings titled " Raja aur Praja" ( The Monarch and his subjects ) on the ceiling. I5t depicts Raja Ram Singh II (1826-66) of Kota amidst a royal procession.

13. Sirohi Coach

This erstwhile state has earned an enviable reputation the world over for its gold fort, near Pratapgarh. Especially the coloured glass work within it is remarkable. The style of work has a typically Indo-European flavour as European influence is quite conspicuous. The rooms highlighted this style through the framed works of art done in the same style. The ambiance and colour scheme has also been designed in keeping with this school of Art. The gold foil and glass work also has semi-precious stones embedded in it, and has been done in a mix media created from co0ne and paint embossed particle boards. The royal insignia has been placed prominently. Mounted miniatures done in Sirohi schhol style lend a unique character to décor.

14. Udaipur Coach

Lazing on the edge of lake Pichhola, Udaipur was the capital of Sisodia Rajputs after they moved from Chittaur. The City Palace in Udaipur is a complex of reception halls, residential suites and internal courts from which the state lounge and bedrooms take their colour schemes- dominant blue and white. The most fascinating of the inner courts is the Peacock Court where Peacocks have been modeled in high relief and faced with coloured glass mosaic. The lounge décor is influenced by the 'Mor Chowk' or the Peacock Court. The medium used is a combination of the relief work and Patra or oxidized white metal work. The royal crest of the state, in alluring zardozi work, is set on the valance of the blinds.