Travelling is said to be rejuvenating for one’s soul. It can clear minds, seed new thoughts, and ideas, and broaden perspectives on a variety of things. One of the most exciting places to go on adventures is India. With a diverse culture and majestically alluring landscapes, the railways serve as a gateway to explore and soak in the beauty of India. Many authors, filmmakers, and photographers have been enticed by the sight that the railways provide. It has become their inspiration for various movies and books, entirely based on a journey through India. The railways carry over 8 billion passengers a year and has over 66,000 kilometres of track running. The sheer magnitude of it makes it a cornucopia of rich history, people, colours, and places.
Air travel may now seem convenient and smooth, with nearly 90 odd destinations covered. It cannot, however, connect to rural and unknown parts of India. The railroads find its way to places that are hard to reach like the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, The tea estates of Assam, Kanyakumari the southernmost tip of India and the perilous mountains and terrain of Jammu and Kashmir.
South India is one of the most diverse parts of the subcontinent. This area has a very rich history and subliminally warm weather, and visiting it makes for an experience of a lifetime. The trains that run in this part are operated by the southern railways. Some journeys that offer breathtaking sights and experiences are:
- Goa Express: A short trip from Vasco da Gama (Goa) to Londa (Karnataka). It cuts and curves from the vast beaches of Goa, to the Western Ghats and through the thick forests of Karnataka. The journey is in the afternoon, and a beautiful sunset that drapes over the trees awaits, as the train approaches its destination.
- Island Express: This adventure is from Kanyakumari, the literal endpoint of India to Trivandrum, in Kerala. The journey passes through the greenery of Kerala and along the majestic coastline, promising you a sight of wonders.
- Golden Chariot: The premier luxury train of South India. The voyage begins at Bangalore and ends in Goa. It’s a journey over 7 days that goes through a host of scenic locations. These include Kabini wildlife sanctuary, heritage sites of Hampi and Badami, and finally stopping at Goa. The trip, although extravagant, has repeatedly been voted as one of the most luxurious trains in the world.
South India is a place of wonders and prosperity, with lush forests, a myriad of deep valleys and hills, large waterfalls and pristine beaches. It should be a destination on everyone’s travel checklist. Booking a train to South India is very easy. One can log on to the Railways website or other private service providers like IXIGO and find information on suitable timings, rly enquiry, expected train delays, ticket availability and so on. These travel websites even offer hotel reservations for a more relaxing experience. Train journeys can be a once in a lifetime experience, and India is a great destination to make that voyage.