Golden Chariot

Inaugurated in 2008, this purple-liveried train was refurbished for a relaunch in 2020 for travel through Karnataka in south-west India.

It’s one of the most elaborately and imaginatively decorated luxury trains, with hand-carved wooden panels on roof and wall panels, furniture inspired by the architecture of Mysore and Hoysala, and hand-woven silk bed sheets emulating those for the Maharajas of Mysore. The dining cars have interiors inspired by historic temples.

There are three alternative itineraries. The figure-of-eight ‘Pride of Karnataka’ offers a broad-brush introduction to the varied highlights of the state by covering a national park, Mysore’s royal heritage, the evocative ruins at Hampi, Goa and other cultural sites.

‘Jewels of the South’ focuses on cultural monuments to give an insight into pre-colonial history and architecture – Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Kochi and Mysore – while ‘Glimpses’ visits Bandipur, Mysore and Hampi.