Megha Desai, a 36-year-old senior art director at a Mumbai branding studio, has discovered an unconventional escape from the monsoon blues on the Executive Vistadome AC (EV) coach of the Dadar–Madgaon Janshatabdi Express. Forget the usual hill station retreat; Megha insists that the glass-roofed train offers a stunning alternative. “You don’t need a five-star resort in the hills. Just book a Vistadome seat,” she emphasizes.
In July 2024, amid a busy schedule filled with campaign shoots, Megha impulsively booked the Vistadome coach after being inspired by a friend’s misty Konkan Instagram stories. Securing her ₹4,160 round-trip ticket required diligent daily visits to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) site, but her persistence paid off. The train was packed, with eager travelers wanting to experience the panoramic views. As the train departed Mumbai, Megha was captivated by the lush Western Ghats unfolding outside her window. “It was rivers overflowing, waterfalls crashing down rocks, and dense green cliffs shrouded in mist. I’ve flown to Goa countless times, but this was different.”
The Vistadome coaches, now operational across 111 routes in India, including popular journeys like Mumbai–Goa and Bengaluru–Mangaluru, feature large windows, rear observation decks, and rotating seats, allowing passengers to fully immerse in their surroundings. “Near Ratnagiri, the train slowed, and I spotted three waterfalls at once. I couldn’t look away,” Megha recalls. She urges travelers to book early, noting her luck in securing a last-minute cancellation. Checking the special monsoon timetable for train speeds is also essential.
Monsoon train travel boasts a unique charm as passengers can indulge in chai while gazing at rushing waterfalls and rolling green hills through rain-specked windows. Anand Ramaswamy, 42, a product manager from Hyderabad, experienced this magic during a June trip aboard the Vistadome coach from Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley. After taking the overnight Godavari Express, he boarded the morning Vistadome service, mesmerized by the promise of endless vistas. “You enter a tunnel, then burst out into fog or a cliff dripping with water-everyone just goes still,” he describes.
In Araku, Anand visited a coffee estate homestay, explored the Tribal Museum, and relished the soothing sounds of raindrops on a tin roof. “Coming from Hyderabad’s dry heat, it felt like I’d traveled two seasons away in a day,” he says. He appreciated the Vistadome experience but noted its return journey requires booking a seat on a regular coach. A one-way ticket from Visakhapatnam to Araku costs between ₹735 and ₹750.
Traveling on India’s boutique trains elevates the journey into an experience blending comfort and cultural depth. Shibani Bawa, a journalist from Delhi, fondly recalls her luxurious seven-night adventure aboard the Deccan Odyssey’s Maharashtra Splendour, which showcases India’s rich heritage from Mumbai to various renowned destinations. Offering gourmet meals and personalized service, Shibani describes it as “extremely well-maintained,” enhancing the overall travel experience.
Under the Bharat Gaurav Scheme, launched by Indian Railways in November 2021, this new era of private train hospitality has emerged, with curated, theme-based circuits gaining popularity. “It marked a real shift,” notes Vignesh, a tour operator offering itineraries across India. Passengers enjoy seamless travel and luxury, reflective of India’s magnificent landscapes.
In a country where the monsoon is more than just weather, it evokes emotions-inviting travelers to slow down and appreciate nature’s grandeur from the comfort of a train window. The changing landscapes and shifting light draw the traveler in, ensuring that each journey is a memorable experience.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/what-makes-monsoon-the-best-season-for-train-journeys-in-india/article69784786.ece
Category : Life & Style
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Publish Date: 2025-08-09 08:30:00
