The Indian Railways has always been an integral part of the middle and lower caste people’s lives. We all have memories of reaching the railway station before time, buying magazines, comics, a packet of chips, and fighting for that precious window seat. It seems all nostalgic today, especially in the COVID crisis when we are stuck at homes.
Well, I can’t force you to go out in these testing times, but for the trainspotting enthusiasts, I have come up with this captivating blog that comprises some of the most beautiful and memorable train routes in India. So, without any further ado, let us roll back into our childhood and dive into some enticing memories related to Indian Railways, the lifeline of India.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling)
Isn’t it exhilarating riding through hill stations connected by train? The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a toy train journey that takes you on a pleasant upslope journey from the foothill region via loops, bends, and turns. It is a 78 km journey, but it takes almost 8 hours to reach the destination, courtesy of the hilly journey.
The train passes through many scenic destinations like Siliguri Town, Siliguri Junction, Sukna, Rangtong, Tindharia, Mahanadi, Kurseong, Tung, Sonada, Ghum, Rongbul, Jorebunglow, and Batasia Loop. If you wish for a trip hooded by the Himalayas, tea gardens, and dense forests you should go for this toy train journey.
Vasco da Gama to Londa
The rail route between Vasco da Gama in Goa and Londa in Karnataka is approximately 74 km but the journey offers you supreme satisfaction derived by watching the exotic beauty of Goan village. The journey takes you to the Western Ghats, but the scene changes to mountains and lush greenery afterwards.
As you move ahead, the vegetation decreases & the mesmerizing waterfalls make their presence. You can feel some sprinkles of water on your face as well because the force of the waterfall is exemplary. The best time to make a journey on this route is after the monsoon.
Kanyakumari to Trivandrum
Kanyakumari is the last station in the Southern region of India. The distance between Kanyakumari and Trivandrum isn’t a long one as it covers only 87 km, but surely a scenic one.
The journey takes you through the Coconut trees and glides past the typical Tamil and Keralite architecture. Not only the architecture but the Gopurams and Temples in the journey represents Kerala tradition and culture. This route is indeed one of the most picturesque locations in South India.
Mandapam-Pamban-Rameswaram
This route is both mesmerizing and dangerous because it runs on a thin bridge. If you are adventurous and love exploring and taking on challenges, this route is tailor-made for you.
The thing bridge present here is also known as the second-longest bridge in the country. It connects Mandapam in Tamil Nadu with the island of Rameswaram.- This is one route you should not miss at any cost.
Hassan to Mangalore
The route from Hassan to Mangalore takes one and a half hours, taking you to witness a scenic journey through lofty mountains, waterfalls, palm plantations, and the famous rice meadows. If you are looking for a railway voyage that is both refreshing and delightful, opt for this route.
The Indian Maharaja- Deccan Odyssey
Want to get royal treatment? Jump into the Indian Maharaja- Deccan Odyssey. It is a luxury train voyage of 10 days, offering its travelers everything from a gymnasium, library, Ayurvedic massage center, beauty parlor, steam bath, conference room, air-conditioned coaches, luxury suites, and much more. The train travels from Pune to Delhi and back.
During the voyage, the train stops at the main tourist destinations i.e. the Ajanta Ellora caves in Maharashtra and the Taj Mahal in Agra. Everything about this train is simply majestic, and it will give you a feeling of royalty altogether.
Guwahati to Silchar
The train route from Silchar to Guwahati will take you through the lush green Assam valley, tea plantation, river Jatinga, and the undulating Haflong valley. The journey takes place via Lumding and Barak Valley, making this route one of the most scenic and splendid in the country.
The Dooars Voyage
The Dooars Voyage covers the route of Siliguri, Newmal, Hasimara, Alipurdar. It is considered one of the best train routes in India for wildlife and vegetation lovers. The route in this region passes through forests and wildlife sanctuaries, namely the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Chapramari forest, Buxa Tiger reserve, etc.
Initially, there used to be traffic on this route, but after converting to broad gauge, there is minimalistic traffic and still remains worth a display view for fascinating amounts of flora and fauna for the people.
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Time to wrap up: So that concludes our list of the best train routes in India. Well, the names listed here are just a few of many but literally worth a visit. So the next time when you plan for a train voyage, make sure to pick at least one route from the list.