Golden Chariot

Golden Chariot
Logo of Golden Chariot
ManufacturerIndian Railways
Built atIntegral Coach Factory, Chennai
Family nameLuxury Trains
Constructed2008
Entered service2008
OperatorsKarnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC)
DepotsWhitefield, Bangalore
Lines servedBangalore-Mysore-Hassan-Hospet-Badami-Vasco (Goa)-Bangalore (South Western Railway)

The Golden Chariot is a luxury tourist train that connects the important tourist spots in the Indian states of Karnataka, Goa, Kerala & Tamil Nadu as well as Puducherry, depending on the selected itinerary. The train is operated by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation and The Maple Group handles the hospitality services on the train.[1][2][3]

It is named after the Stone Chariot in the Vitthala Temple at Hampi.[4] The train has 19 coaches which are coloured purple and gold, and reflect the logo of a mythological animal with the head of an elephant and a body of a lion.[5] The Golden Chariot had its maiden commercial run on 10 March 2008,[6] and generally runs weekly during the months of October–March, departing on Sundays during the 2022-23 season.[7] The train is designed on the lines of the more popular Indian luxury train Palace on Wheels.

All journeys offered by the train originate and end at Bengaluru.[8]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wired was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rajavilas was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "₹40-crore loss for Golden Chariot since launch". The Hindu. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  4. ^ "About Train". The Golden Chariot. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Golden Chariot to sport regal colours". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
  6. ^ "Golden Chariot train's first commercial run on March 10". The Times of India. 28 February 2008. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
  7. ^ "Golden Chariot Official Website - Book Luxury Train Tour Packages in India". www.goldenchariot.org. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  8. ^ Poonam, Binayak (17 April 2024). "The cost to ride on India's luxury trains may surprise you". CNBC. Retrieved 29 May 2024. All journeys start and end in Bengaluru.