How the Maharaja Express Promotes Cultural Tourism in India

The Maharaja Express, one of the luxury trains in India, is becoming a pioneer of cultural tourism in India. This train not only serves as a medium of transportation but also promotes Indian Culture and tradition. This train takes you to hidden gems of India, the mesmerizing diverse culture, awe-inspiring and eye-catching beauty of Indian landscapes. The Maharaja Express in itself gives little glimpses of India’s rich history, culture, architecture, tradition, and hospitality. 

The train’s interior design and decor are inspired by the royal era of the Maharajas. Indian tradition and history are so well embedded in every part of the train without compromising the comfort of its guests. It will exceed the expectations of its guests. The hospitality and commitment of the staff to fulfill every need of their guests replicate the ideology of “Atithi Devo Bhava”, which means Guests are like God.

Overview of the Maharajas’ Express:

The Maharaja Express is one of the most luxurious and elegant trains in the world. It is India’s equivalent to the Orient Express of Europe. Maharaja Express is highly rated by various travel magazines and luxury guides often call it one of the greatest rail journeys in the world. Maharaja Express is the latest luxury train introduced by the Indian Railways and managed by the IRCTC. It was launched in the year 2010. It has four rail journeys, which take you to a well-planned route and present India in a way never seen before. It is well curated, keeping every detail in mind. It will give you exposure to local cuisine, tradition, and people without compromising comfort, relaxation, and space. 

Long before the British arrived in India, it was a place of Maharajas and royalty. Kingdoms were founded, flourished, and developed. The Maharaja Express gives you the same glimpses of this land’s rich heritage and culture.  This train fulfilled its promise by giving the best services to its guests and has received various accolades and recognition. The Maharajas’ Express has won a record seven consecutive world travel awards from 2012 to 2018 and seven-star luxury awards for two consecutive years, 2015 and 2016.

Design and Ambience: A Tribute to Royal India

The Maharaja Express is designed to give the feel of the lifestyle of a royal era and provides the experience of a lavish and comfortable life on wheels. This train never fails to showcase the splendor of India. The coaches of suites are named after gems like Heera (Diamond), Neelam (Blue Sapphire), Panna (Emerald), and Navratan (meaning nine gems) to exemplify the luxurious service and facilities offered on board. All suites have large windows and a proper sitting area. So that you can enjoy your book or coffee time while savoring every bit of Indian splendor on the journey. 

This train showcases the excellence of Indian art and crafts. Each wall, artifact, ceiling, painting, and design showcases the supremacy of Indian artisans. When you think of India, the first thing that might come to your mind is the vibrant colors and flavors. This train replicates the same idea; every corner of this train has some story to tell in buzzing colors. The room suites have some additional features such as a complimentary mini-bar and bathtub. The fare also includes an exclusive language-speaking guide for the sightseeing and a Luxury car service during the off-board journeys.

Onboard Cultural Experience:

Your exposure to the Indian culture begins on the platform, even before boarding the train. There will be a small reception at the station with local Indian musicians with their instruments like tabla and harmonium. Before boarding, the train staff will perform a welcoming Indian ritual called aarti and apply a tilak on the forehead. While on board, along with continental cuisine, the dining also offers different Indian cuisines from various states of India. As you may already know, India is one of the most diverse countries in the world. Therefore, it has a lot to offer to its guests. 

Cultural tourism in India is a fast-paced sector of overall tourism. India’s rich history, heritage monuments, and UNESCO sites have the potential for a wide range of experiences. The diversity also brings different cuisines, cultures, customs, beliefs, and traditions. The train journey includes cities with rich histories and sites that withstand their own stories. Cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Mumbai, Lucknow, Agra, and Varanasi are part of this journey, which are culturally significant in the golden age of Indian history or independence struggles. 

The off-board activities allow the guests to engage in local markets and interact with folk artists, guides, and craftspeople. Outdoor activities like elephant painting give you a one-time experience. Such activities provide hands-on exposure to traditional music, art, and architecture. 

Supporting Local Heritage and Crafts:

The Maharaja Express also promotes regional economies through outdoor activities and outings to the local markets. Maharaja Express often collaborates with local artisans and craftspeople to provide authentic experiences to its guests. This helps create job opportunities and stimulates local entrepreneurship. Maharaja Express encourages sustainable tourism practices by promoting local crafts. 

The trains stop at various stops for their famous crafts, such as Udaipur for traditional paintings, Jaipur for textiles, and Agra for marble work. These stops encourage passengers to engage with the local economy and support local craftspeople. 

Conclusion:

The Maharaja Express blends the luxury and comfort of a 5-star hotel with Indian culture and heritage. The Maharaja Express gives glimpses of India’s golden past from different parts of the country. This train promotes cultural tourism in India by taking a route that goes through the heartland cities of the country, such as Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Udaipur, and Mumbai. 

This train is planned in a certain way that encourages the maximum interaction of passengers with local craftspeople. The tour guides take the passenger to local markets to give their passengers the best and most authentic introduction to the local customs and traditions. Cultural tourism in India brings a good opportunity for local artisans and craftspeople to deal with foreign tourists.