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Itinerary of The "Deccan Odyssey"


Day 1: Wednesday

Deccan Odyssey starts its journey from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Day 2: Thursday

 In the morning after the departure, tourists get down at the Kudal Railway Station, from where they are transferred to Malvan Jetty in AC luxury buses. At the jetty, a comfortable boat is ready to take you across the waves, while enjoying the breathtaking views of the birds, flora and the marine life. The boat reaches the large Sea Fort, which at one time served as the naval base of Shivaji the Great, who was a Maratha ruler from 1664-67 AD. Among the different forts belonging to Marathas, this one is well preserved. Inside the fort are a few temples for Gods and Goddesses like Bhavai, Jarimari, Mahadeo, Shivaji and Mahapurush. One can climb on to the wall ramparts of the fort, extending for about 2 miles, from where breathtaking scenes are visible of the vastly extending seas, which strikes the wall below giving out a spray going up to a height of about 30 ft. This fort also has many families living since generations belonging to muslim and hindu communities numbering about twenty.

Then the tourists return back to the jetty and get to their accommodations at the Tarkali Beach resort.

Tarkali beach is a beautiful yet untouched location at the point where the Arabian Sea is met by Karli river. Here, the important attraction is the long stretch of beach, with pristine blue waters. River Karli is wide, allowing designed sailboats to pass along small islands, various village hamlets along the banks and these bring together a beauty from picture postcards.

In the MTDC Tarkali resort, tourists can enjoy a sumptuous and multicuisine lunch, where cottages have been built in Konkani style. At this location, very delicious Malvani dishes are available for the tourists, after devouring of which, they can relax. Towards the late afternoon, the cruise is taken into the backwaters formed by River Karli and also includes the Cashew Factory visit.
Dinner is provided in the train, after this leg of the trip is over and tourists come back to the Kudal Railway Station.

Day 3: Friday

The next morning, train arrives in Karmali in Goa, which happens to be a frequently visited spots in the region. From this station, buses take the guests to Old Goa, where there are plenty of sightseeing places, especially the St Augustine Church, which was once upon a time, the cathedral of the largest size in Goa. In the Basilica of Bom Jesus belonging to 16th century, St Francis Xavier has his mortal remains enshrined. The St Francis of Assissi and Se Cathedral are structures, whose construction work started in the likeness of a mosque, but later became a museum under archaeological society to showcase antiques of Goan culture. When walking along the Fontanhas, which are the quarters for Latin people, located at Panjim, the old styled Portuguese houses are clearly seen.

After having a lunch in Goan styled menu, the train is boarded in the Verna Railway Station.

On board, the time remaining is spent in leisure. 

In the evening time, buses are available to take people to hotels along the beaches in Goa for them to enjoy the culture of goa and various traditional menus.

At the end of evening, the Deccan Odyssey is boarded from Madgaon railway station and then the train stops at Vasco-Goa.

Day 4: Saturday

In the morning, breakfast is served after which, people travel for sightseeing. A shiva temple of well established name, the Mangeshi Temple is seen, where architectural style is a thing to watch, which resembles the old temple designs.

From Mangeshi Temple, the visit is then to Safa Masjid, which is a well known shrine of Islamic sect located in Ponda, which is also known to be the central place for pilgrimage by many hindus in Goa. This was built by Ibrahim Adil Shah in 1560, who was then the Bijapur Sultan.

From this Masjid, the next step is to visit the Sahakari Spice Farm, which is supposedly the largest and best quality spice centres in the country. This plantation is located within the surroundings of greenery in Ponda region, this being highly well known among international tourists. There is a welcome in the traditional manner for the guests, at the hotel entrance. After staying in the restaurants for a little while and getting refreshed with snacks and drinks, the farm tour begins. This farm is known for the organic spices it produces, along with a range of medicinal and herbal trees. Accompanying guide helps people with information on various spices and the incumbent medicinal properties for a good period of 45 minutes of the tour.

Goan food delights are in lunch at this place, while interested people can check out elephant rides, which is albeit in one’s own expenses.

After finishing the farm tour, the next stop is Menezes Braganza House, built during the 16th century. Dating back to the era before the Portuguese presence in Goa, this house is among the last structures from that era, making it a historically important place for tourists, the history being reflected in the interior designing and architectural styles. Entering into this house gives a feeling of being invited. In Goa, this house makes for an important heritage structures. The house presently has fourth generation Braganzas residing in it.

After a tour of the Braganza house is complete, return to the train is the next schedule at the Madgaon railway Station.

As the Deccan Odyssey starts for Kolhapur, the dinner is served on board.

Day 5: Sunday

In the morning, the train halts in Kolhapur railway station, the city showcasing a mythological and diverse facets of its past. Kolhapur is a city with rich mix of history, culture, industry and natural surroundings. A travel through this city shows that the city has had influence of different cultures due to the rule by different dynasties over a period of time, starting from mythical era to the modern day. It is located by the banks of Panchaganga.

By bus, the New Palace is visited, which was an erstwhile palace, presently converted into a museum. Inside the museum are plenty of paintings of rarity, artifacts and items which were used by the royalties. Weapons by royal people and the court’s ambience are reflected in form of a tableau, showing the aristocracy of their lives. Bhawani Mandap is the next place to visit, which is the Town Hall. Here, on display are variety of items derived from excavations done in Brahmagiri, and include works of filigree in ivory and sandalwood, sculptures dating back to many centuries, paintings done by artists belonging to this region, coins and various other items. The next visit is to Mahalaxmi Temple, with lots of carvings and the goddess Ambabai, who is revered by lots of devotees. Shalini Palace is the next stop, which is built is Italian marble and black stone, which is carved intricately, located on Rankala Lake, towards the western side. In the palace, there are shows and programs of Mardani Khel of Martial Arts.

Textile industry in Kolhapur is quite well known and the saris are in particular famous. But, the chappals and leather sandals from Kolhapur along with jewellery items are really well known throughout the country. In the Shalini Palace, there are displays held, which can be visited by the tourists and the items can be shopped.

Train is boarded in Kolhapur station in the noon, where the lunch is served and people can take leisure on the train.

At night in the train, the dinner is served.

Day 6: Monday

On the 6th days, which is a Monday, the train reaches Daulatabad station.

Majestic Fort in Daulatabad is visited by road. This fort is situated at a height of about 600 ft, on the deccan plains and beholds a great sight. In earlier days, this fort was also called Devgiri, and was headquarters of yadava dynasty which wielded immense power. Mohammed Bin Tughlak renamed this city as Daulatabad in 13th century AD, who was the then Sultan of Delhi, naming it after the term the City of Fortune.

Founded by Aurangzeb, Aurangabad is the next stop, which has lots of tombs, caves of Buddhist beliefs and monuments.

Ellora Caves is present in Aurangabad, which can be visited. This is a World Heritage Site, having about 34 temples in form of rock cut caves and these are dedicated to the Hinduism, buddism and Jainism sects. At a distance of 26 kms from Aurangabad, towards the north, these temples at Ellora and monasteries have been created by the excavation of the steep face of a rock mountain. Most of the caves are present in a linear manner, where there are viharas, chaityas belonging to Buddhism, halls of worship, temples of jains and hindus and various monasteries.

The earliest excavation is believed to have done in the Dhumar Lena, which is Cave 29, mostly during the 5th century AD, and extending till the 11th century AD. Kailasa temple in Cave 16 is perhaps the most beautiful structure designed from the excavation and is also the largest structure from a stone in whole world.

After Lunch is served, it is time to visit Bibi Ka Maqbara, which has been replicated in form of Taj Mahal, which is one of the grandest architectural style of mughals. Thereafter, the time can be spent in shopping in showrooms, selecting from the wide range of Himroo, Paithani and Bidriwork, to take back as memorabilia.

In the evening, the train is boarded at the Aurangabad Railway Station.

Dinner is served on board.

Day 7: Tuesday

On the morning of Tuesday or the 7th days, the Ajanta caves is visited by arriving at the Jalgaon Railway Station.
Ajanta Caves are highly renowned as Buddhist Caves and declared as World Heritage Sites. Beautiful paintings as well as sculptures are found in these caves, which probably belong to the 2nd century AD. Among the various sculptures and murals, the ones which are quite famous are Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, Bodhisattva Padmapani, Thousand Buddhas, and The Birth of the Buddha.

Train is boarded in Jalgaon Railway Station at noon.

Then the travel is towards Nashik and lunch is served on the train.

Till the evening, there is time for leisure.

At Nashik Railway Station, buses are there for visiting Panchawati Ghat, which is a well known site for Kumbh Mela. Then the next stop is at Kala Ram Temple, which was constructed in 1794.

In the evening, the Deccan Odyssey is boarded in the station of Deolali.

Last dinner of farewell is served lavishly on the train.

Day 8: Wednesday

In the morning, the train arrives at Mumbai’s CST station and this marks the end of the journey.

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