Travelling in train in India is a spectacular event for the people who would like to see the eccentric beauty of India. The nature has showered its best blessings to this country which anybody can experience while travelling. Indian railways has 63,028 km of tracks running through the country, and operates 14,300 trains on a daily basis. A traveler, Indian or a foreigner has to consider the following places to travel for connecting with nature. Indian railways have beautifully selected the routes to fill the heart of the traveler with joy and excitement.
1. Arakku Valley of Visakhapatanam in the state of Andhra Pradesh
The journey passes through the most beautiful landscapes which includes coffee plantations. This route was previously maintained to transport iron ore from Chattisgarh to Vishakapatnam.
2. Nilgiri Mountain Railway Mettupalayam – Udhagamandalam in the state of Tamilnadu
The train was running for over 110 years and is a train journey which you should definitely not miss. Meandering through rocky terrain and on its way through tea plantations, the steam locomotive covers 46 km to Ooty in four and a half hours.
3. The Goan Experience, Vasco Da Gama – Londa, in the state of Goa
A train ride from Vasco da Gama takes you from the serene beaches to the precarious curves of the Western Ghat Mountains offering a breathtaking sight of the Dudhsagar Waterfalls, one of India’s highest and most exquisite falls.
4. The Snow Sojourn, Qazigund – Baramulla in the state of Jammu and Kashmir
The mesmerizing ride through the Kashmir Valley, weaving through the snow capped peaks and the Chinar trees all around, is definitely a travel through the paradise.
5. The Desert Queen, Jodhpur – Jaisalmer in the state of Rajastan
Desert route from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer is filled with the sight of painted mud huts and numerous camel grazing is just so typically Rajasthani and magical. Witnessing a sunrise or sunset from the train is pure delight to the senses.
6. The Sea Bridge Mandapam – Pamban – Rameswaram in the state of Tamil Nadu
A train journey through the second-longest bridge in the country, is considered as one of the most thrilling and dangerous journey as it is a thin bridge. It connects the Tamil Nadu mainland to the island of Rameswaram a holy place for the Hindus.
7. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Siliguri – Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal
A journey from Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, takes you as close as possible to the tea pickers with baskets strapped on their heads and the smell of tea leaves that wafts in the air. You will feel that you travel much above the clouds. An interesting thing to note about this train is that it runs on the metre gauge and is also a UNESCO world heritage site since 1999.
Picture courtesy: India Times
By Premji
