Incredible India

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world with a kaleidoscopic variety and rich cultural heritage. India’s history and culture is dynamic, spanning back to the beginning of human civilization. It begins with a mysterious culture along the Indus River and in farming communities in the southern lands of India. The history of India is punctuated by constant integration of migrating people with the diverse cultures that surround India.

Incredible India has been imprinted with the heritage, culture right from the Pre-historic Indus Valley Civilization through the ancient Vedic ages followed through with the formation of Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, which again was trailed by Sultans, Mughal, & European colonies.

All the above major influences on the Indian soil combined with the various local princely kingdoms had given Vibrant dimensions to the Incredible India. India takes pride in maintaining the harmony among diversities of 22 recognized languages and about 10 major religions.

Golden Chariot Destinations

2 itineraries offered by the operators of the Golden Chariot train covers some of the most prominent tourist destinations in 3 South Indian states – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala – along with the Union Territory of Pondicherry. Detail of the attractions included in the destinations covered during the luxury train tour along with a brief introduction to acquaint you with the history and significance of the destinations are mentioned below.

BANGALORE

Fondly called as the Silicon Valley of India and Officially called as Bangaluru, the city is the Capital of the South Indian State Karnataka where the official language is Kannada. The Premier organizations like ISRO, Infosys, IBM, Wipro, DRDO and HALre having this city as their headquarters. This Is the fifth most populous agglomeration in India. IISC, IIM, NIFT, NIMHANS are the prestigious institutions being the dream destination of the aspirational students.

Historians record that the Cholas and the Hoysalas, ruled the present region of Bangalore until in 1537 CE, until the time of emergence of a feudal ruler Kempé Gowdā from the Vijayanagara Empire stood against the King and by way of establishing a mud fort and that is perceived to be the foundation of modern Bangalore. Despite the fact that the place was under the control of different Kings and Nawabs, it witnessed consistent development and under the British Rule, the city got extended to a cantonment region and from then onwards Bangalore is a merger of the Old City and the Cantonment.

People and Culture:

Karnataka has hosted and continues to host a wide variety of people with different cultures. Along with the native Kannadigas, Kodavas, Tuluvas, Konkanis and several tribal sects have, across the centuries, lent colour and content to the vibrant culture the state calls its own. Karnataka is also home to the largest Tibetan settlement in South India. In addition to Kannada, knowing Tulu, Hindi, English, Telugu or Tamil will safely get you by. Jainism, Hinduism and Islam are the predominantly practised religions. But in recent times, Sikhism, Christianity and Buddhism have also found their place and people.

Climate and Weather:

The city of Bangalore experiences a very favourable weather throughout the year.Nature has gifted Bangalore city with a very pleasant and moderate climate. In Bangalore, neither would you shiver with cold in winters, nor would you drench with sweat in summers. Bangalore weather is a combination of cool winters and warm summers, without any extremes in both the cases.

Summers: Only during Mid March to June is the season you will feel the heat rays in Bangalore. The maximum temperature during the day rarely exceeds 39 degree C, making the summers quite mild.
Winters: Winter season in Bangalore stretches on from November to February. The minimum temperature in winters hovers somewhere around 10 degree C, with the coldest month being January. Early morning fog can also be experienced during December and January.
Monsoon: The monsoon season in Bangalore is from June to August. The south-western monsoon rains drenches the city in monsoons, taking the humidity to as high as 76 percent.

Best Time to Visit Bangalore:

The best time to visit Bangalore is generally during the winters when the temperature lies between 15 degree to 20 degree and the most preferable months to visit Bangalore would be between October and February.

MYSORE

The cultural capital of Karnataka, the administrative center for Kingdom of Mysore for over four centuries, the city with full of heritage structures and palaces is Mysore, now officially called as Mysuru. Located at the foothills of Chamundi Hills, Mysore is at a distance of 146 kms southwest of the Karnataka state capital, Bangaluru. There exists a Tropical Savanna Climate in Mysore. Summer season is from March to June, Monsoon is from July to November and winter season is from December to February.

Popularly known as the cultural capital of Karnataka, Mysore is famous for the different art forms and the festivities. Especially, the Dusserah festival celebrated for ten days during September or October attracts lakhs of tourists every year. It will be a fascinating experience watching the celebrations on the ninth day of Dusserah when the Royal sword is worshipped and taken on a procession of decorated elephants. On the tenth day called “Viajayadasami”, the rituals and celebrations are in a grand manner. The idol of the Goddess Chamundeeswari is kept atop a decorated elephant which leads the procession of table, group dancers, decorated elephants, horses and camels. People in Karnataka call this procession as Jamboo Savaari. The procession and the rituals will be a real feast to the eyes.

Mysore is also called the City of Palaces. The tourists have a wonderful experience visiting the palaces which are the real architectural marvels. Mysore palace tops the list followed by Jaganmohana palace, Rajendra Vilas, Lalitha Mahal, Jayalakshmi Vilas.

Mysore is also famous for many things like, the sweet Mysore Pak, the cosmetic items namely Mysore Sandal Soap and Powder, Mysore Silk Sarees, Mysore painting and Mysore Peta(A silk turban). The rich tradition and heritage can be seen in every article you see in Mysore.

The city is connected to Tamil Nadu and Kerala through the NH-212. There are plenty of buses plying between Mysore and other cities. Superfast trains like Shatabdi Express halt at Mysore. There is an Intelligent Travel System implemented in by Mysore Government for a hassle free drive in the city.

Come and enjoy the city of culture, heritage and tradition which has still maintained its legacy despite the vagaries over the centuries.

HAMPI

Hampi is the architectural heritage of India in Karnataka. Located in the northern part of the state, Hampi is a small village that once housed the capital of the erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire. Today it houses the magnificent ruins of the yesteryears and the Virupaksha temple is the most popular and the most sacred religious site in the place.

There are a number of religious places scattered all over Hampi and devotees and visitors alike, fill it up all through the day. The Hindu temples housed here are brilliant examples of architectural excellence and though in ruins, they nevertheless manage to amaze the onlookers. Some of the most popular sites housed here are Virupaksha temple, Tiruvengalanatha temple, Anjeyanadri Hills, Ugra Narasimha, Vittala temple, Zenana enclosure and even the archaeological museum in Kamalapura.

BELUR

Belur, situated in the Hassan District of the South Indian State Karnataka is a city of architectural wonders. From the state capital Bangaluru, Belur is at a distance of 220kms. Belur is a very important tourist destination in the state. The city witnesses of hundreds of tourists every day. There is yet another tourist destination called Halabedu which is only 16kms away from Belur.

Belur is the place where the Hoysala architecture was at its peak. The main attraction of the city is the Chenna kesava temple constructed in the year 1117 CE. As the Hoysaka kings were very particular in bringing out an architecturally wonderful temple, they had spent nearly103 years in completing this temple in all aspects. The entire building of the temple is 37meters tall and built on a five feet platform.The main gateway tower called Rayagopura or Rajagopuram was raised by the Vijayanagara Kings in commemoration of their victory over the Cholas in a place called Thalakad.

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Chennakesava meaning “Beautiful Vishnu” in the temple which has taken around 103 years for completion of construction. We will be amazed to see the dedication and devotion of the Hoysala Kings by looking at the ornate paintings and the wonderful figurines in the temple. It is believed that the Hoysala Queen Shanthala Devi herself danced in front of the temple during the construction of this temple which you see at the façade of the temple in the form of beautiful figurines in different dancing postures. Even today you can see the tourists enjoy dancing on the platform and recording those wonderful moments.

The intricate carvings on the walls depict the pictures of lions, horses, elephants, a lady with the mirror and dancing women make your visit to this temple more fascinating. Along with this temple, the Hoysaleswara temple at Halabedu and the monuments of Jainism in Shravanabelagola are proposed as the World Heritage Sites to be recognized by UNESCO.

Come and enjoy the splendid architecture of Belur and the get blessed by Lord Chennakesava.

Bandipur National Park

Script your own adventure story at Bandipur National Park

Few travel experiences compare to encountering the legendary wildlife of the Bandipur National park in all its glory.

Once the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore, the Bandipur National Park is one of the most beautiful, well-managed and popular wildlife parks in India. Spread over 874 sq km, it is interspersed with a multitude of teak and sandalwood trees that add a distinct character to it. A protected zone of more than 100 species of mammals, including tigers, elephants, gaur (Indian bison), sambars, sloth bears, and langurs among others; the park serves up more than sweeping experience where you won’t want to blink or put your camera down.

BADAMI

Badami is located around the picturesque landscape of the Agastya Lake. History mentions that it was the capital of the Chalukya kings that ruled over this land from fifth to seventh century AD. There is an interesting fable that goes about how this place came to be known as Vatapi-a name that it had in the ancient times. It is believed that in these lands lived two demons by the name Vatapi and Ilvala. They were very wicked and killed several mendicants by deception.

Ilvala was blessed with a boon that whoever he calls would return even from the nether world. And it is of this feature that they took advantage to kill the innocent people. Vatapi would turn himself into a ram and its meat, Ilvala offered to the strangers. As soon as they would have it, Ilvala would call out for Vatapi and the latter would emerge ripping through the body of the victim. They succeeded in this pursuit till one day they came across Sage Agastya. The sage ate up Vatapi and quickly digested him even before Ilvala could call out for him thus putting an end to the torment of the demons. Badami offers to the visitors a blend of cave temples, forts and even museums for the tourists to come and feast on. The Bhutanatha temple, the Badami Fort, the Mallikarjuna temple and the temple of banashankari are a few to name in the order. The mesmerizing beauty of the place is beautifully reflected through the antique architectural patterns and designs.

Halebidu & Chikamangluru:

Witness the dreamy Beauty of Halebidu & Chikamangluru

Halebidu(also called Halibidu or Halebeedu) is home to the stunning Hoysaleswara temples, a masterpiece in ancient style architecture and construction. The construction of the temple began in 1121 and today stands out the most for its richly sculpted walls that are covered with a flurry of Hindu deities, sages and animals that depict the life and times of the Hoysala rulers. Another unmissable feature of the temple that is its inner sanctum that has been chiselled out of a black stone and looks rather staggering.

The stunning beauty of Chikmangluru is the stuff a traveller’s dreams are made of. Nestled amidst the extensive Western Ghats, the verdant hills of Chikmangaluru offer dreamy landscapes, nature’s bounty & serenity that make it a perfect getaway for a quick tranquil retreat. The list of places that you can visit here is never-ending but the ones that stand out the most are its Coffee plantations.

GOA

Goa is a land of the Sun, the beaches, the adventure activities and the quaint ambience and also of distinct traditions and customs. all in the same breath. Guests visiting Goa quintessentially return back home wanting for more. The charisma and charm that accompanies the place almost casts a magic spell on anyone who comes to this place. Be it the history of the place or the geography, the language or the customs. Goa entices one and all.

On a sojourn of this place, the traveler is treated to traditional Indian hospitality in the most unique way. The festivals and carnivals that are held here throughout the year offer one a better understanding of the lives of the Goans. Located in the Konkan region of India, its proximity to the Arabian Sea attracted many merchant communities to come and settle here, thus paving the way for several faiths and cultures to come and exist here.

CHENNAI

Chennai is the heart beat of Tamil Nadu. It can’t be tagged as one, as it has in it the modernity of Bombay, tradition of Kerala, spirit of Delhi and the style of Goa. Sun hits this land with lots of love and so all days here are sunny days. It also takes pride in having the world’s second largest beach and it is a perfect spot for a sojourn. There are good deals of tourist places in and around Chennai, which are worth a visit.

South & West Chennai, previously mostly residential, are now becoming commercial with upcoming firms & call centres. The city is fast expanding in the south & in the west.

Art and music dwells in the land of Chennai and that is why it is called the Musical and Cultural capital of India. There are plenty of art galleries and music schools in Chennai among which Kalakshetra is hailed as one of the best dance schools in India.

It is a major trade center, being well linked by road, rail and air to important cities besides being a sea port. Compared to the other major metros of India, it is far less congested and polluted.

Area – 178.20 Sq.Km
Population – 43.4 Lakhs (2001 census)
Temperature – Summer: 40°C – 36°C & Winter: 30°C – 24°C

Climate:

Chennai is a tropical land and the climate is mostly sultry. The normal temperature is around 40°C – 30°C during summer and around 30°C – 24°C during winter. Rain is a rare guest to Chennai.

Literacy – Male: 84.71% & Female: 75.32%

Rivers – Cooum and Adayar – these two rivers are almost stagnant and do not carry water except during rainy seasons

Festivals and Fares:

Apart from the hustle and bustle of Chennai city life, there lie the colorful cultural festivals of Chennai. The cosmopolitan people get out of their mundane life and groom their tradition by commemorating lots of festivals and fares.

Natyanjali Festival:

Behold the majestic statue of Lord Nataraja ‘The Cosmic dancer’ in Chidambaram near Chennai. Every year on the eve of Natyanjali momentous tribute is paid to Nataraja. This eve lasts for five long days in the month of February.

Dance and Music Festival:

Dancers and Singers from all over India participate in this ‘Margazhi Festival of Dance and Music’ to exhibit their talents and to hail their traditional art. This festival falls in the month of mid-December. It is a feast to our eyes and ears to see artist’s excellent performance on the stage.

Travel and Tour Festival:

Each and every year Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation conducts tour fair in Island Ground in order to promote the tourism interests among people. In this festival many tour and honeymoon packages are given at offers.

Pongal festival:

Pongal is a kind of ‘Thanksgiving’ festival to the Sun God for his blessings upon the farmers and their crops. This fete is celebrated during the month of January. It is a three days eve and one of the days is spent as a reverence to the cows and bulls that have helped the farmers.

Other Festivals:

There are still more minor festivals celebrated in Chennai some of them are Mamallapuram, Arubathimoovar, Mahamaham, Velankanni, Kanthuri, Chithirai, Saral-Vizha, and Navratri.

Places to Visit

Kapaleeswarar Temple:

Chennai’s renowned and cherished Kapaleeswarar temple is the chief land mark of Mylapore. The prime idol is the Lord Siva in the form of Lingam .This temple is mostly buzzed with devotees on Mondays and Fridays. The dazzling 12 days celebration of Bhramotsavam during the month of March is a splendor sight to see.

Snake Park:

Snake Park at Guindy will surely cast a chill down your spine. This eerie park has a wide range of snakes and reptiles. There is also a session where they show a practical demonstration of venom extraction.

Marina Beach:

Marina is the world’s second largest beach. The pleasant promenades running along the sugar-white sands of the beach adds feather to Marina and a peaceful stroll in the old promenade popularly known as “Cupid’s Bow” will take you to the seventh heaven. Its never ending shores draws a million to marvel at the swarm of people spending their time on the lap of Marina.

Cholamandal Artist:

This is the India’s largest artist commune. This village was erected by the artists without any financial help from the government. This archive has a wide collection of intricate paintings, meticulously done sculptures and beautifully emblazoned art works. Don’t miss an opportunity to visit this awesome place.

The Anna Centenary Library:

It is the apt place for bookworms. This enormous library takes pride in being one of the largest libraries in Asia. Behold the nine stories modern building which houses about 500,000 books and piles of magazines from across the world.

Other Nearby Places:

Besant Nagar beach, Santhome beach, Vandalore zoo, Bharathiyar illam and Valluvar Kottam are few other places to visit.

Travel Mode

Bus:

Chennai is the only city in Tamil Nadu which is connected by Golden Quadrilateral system. The four National Highways emerging from this city meets all other cities in India, adding to this Chennai Mofussil bus Stand is the Asia’s largest bus stand. There a surplus taxis, auto rickshaws and vans outside the bus stand.

Train:

Southern Railway’s headquarters is housed in Chennai. There are two railway terminals one is Chennai central which is meant only for Intra state trains and the other one is Chennai Egmore which deals with inter-state destinations. The Chennai suburban railway network provides access to destinations within the city. Recently metro rail has been started in the city.

Airport:

Chennai is a commercial city and so Chennai airport is always active with both domestic and international planes coming in and going out. Anna international Airport and Kamaraj National Airport are at Tirusulam, 20 kms away from the city.

MAHABALIPURUM

Mamallapuram or Mahabalipurum is one of the most popular destinations in Tamil Nadu, renowned for its architectural wonders. Once a medieval port city (the town dates back to the 7th century), today, Mamallapuram is fondly visited by devotees and tourists alike who come here to worship in the ancient temples that are housed here. The city is located at a distance of just about 60 km from the capital city of the state, Tamil Nadu.

Guests traveling to this south Indian town can savor on the spectacular man-made and natural wonders that are housed here. Top tourist attractions in Mamallapuram include names such as the Shore Temple, Five Rathas, Tiger’s Cave, and Arjuna’s Penance etc. besides the local attractions; this town is also a wonderful base from where a number of excursions to the nearby areas can be organized. This includes trips to Cove Long beach, Crocodile Banks, and Kanchipuram.

PONDICHERRY

Pondicherry is a quaint and serene town on the southern part of India, mostly known for its French connection. Abundant in natural and architectural beauty; Pondicherry houses pristine beaches, backwater areas, marvelous hotels and a chain of restaurants that serve authentic French and Indian cuisines that all the more enhance the pleasures of one’s visit here. Pondicherry is a Union Territory of India and is very well connected to Bangalore and Chennai, two of the most significant south Indian destinations.

Pondicherry is home to several attractions that include its mesmerizing sea side ambience, tree lined boulevards, medieval churches and a host of other locations that ensure interesting sightseeing trips. A few of the noteworthy locations that are not worth a miss include the Auroville Ashram, Aayi Mandapam, the French War Memorial, and the Romain Rolland Library.

TANJORE

Tanjore is a destination that celebrates south Indian art and architecture in the highest magnitude of the terms. Owing to its architecturally extravagant monuments, Thanjavur is a not-to-be-missed destination in this circuit.

Tanjore also known as Thanjavur is home to several eminent dancers, singers, and artists and this fact makes the city all the more special. Bronze metal products, musical instruments, and Thanjavur paintings are the most renowned elements associated with the place and excellent souvenirs to be carried back home. There are many places in this Tamil city that guests can visit. The shrine of Ganapati, the shrine of Chandeeswara, Thanjavur Palace, Thanjavur Church and the shrine of Sri Subramanya are a few of the most notable places of interest to name here. Each of these locations highlights the glorious history of the place and the architectural examples that they present are to be seen to be believed.

TRICHY or TRIUCHIRAPALLI

Tiruchirapalli is one of the oldest cities in Tamil Nadu that is blessed with a rich cultural and architectural heritage. The guests in the city will see the Rock Fort temple. Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, Jambukeshwara temple, Perumal Malai and Vayalur Murugan temple are the other attractions that are housed here that surely need a mention.

MADURAI

The aroma of Jasmine fills the air of Madurai and gives us pleasure as we enter its thresh hold. This is a notorious city in Tamil Nadu and has been held in high regards by many ancient poets. This is the place where Tamil language ripened many centuries ago and is a main commercial Centre in southern zone. There are ample places which are worth a visit and are best exemplars of ancient Dravidian culture.

This dazzling city takes pride in being the capital city of Pandiyas and Thirumalai Nayakar. The architectural style here is greatly admired by all. Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai is one of the famous temples in India. Apart from architecture this city is famous for South Indian spicy foods, scrumptious Jigarthanda and fluffy Idly (Rice cake).