Maharajas’ Exp reaches Kashi, passengers given grand welcome

Varanasi: Maharajas’ Express, the luxury tourist train which has started operations again after the corona break of about 2.5 years, reached Banaras station (Manduadih) on Friday with foreign and Indian tourists.
On arrival, the visitors were accorded a warm welcome in a typical Banarasi style with sweet notes of shehnai and beats of drum reverberating the atmosphere. Many foreign tourists could be seen dancing on the drum beats. They were offered bouquets and ‘ang vastram’ (stole).
“This is an encouraging and good sign for the tourism sector in Banaras,” said Amit Gupta, assistant director, India Tourism. The Maharajas’ Express has been bestowed with the ‘World’s Leading Luxury Train’ award for seven consecutive years from 2012 to 2018. It has redefined the luxury travel experience by offering guests the opportunity to explore fabled destinations providing a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of ‘Incredible India’.
According to the tourism officials, the six nights and seven days tour of ‘Indian Panorama’ (Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambore and Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Orchha and Khajuraho – Varanasi – Delhi) began from Delhi on October 23. The train arrived at Banaras on the 6th day.
The tourists enjoyed the countryside while having breakfast on-board before reaching Banaras station.
From the station, they moved to the Hotel Taj Ganges for lunch. After lunch, they proceeded to visit Sarnath ruins followed by a visit to a silk weaving centre in the city. They also enjoyed boat rides on the Ganga and witnessed a grand Ganga Aarti in the evening before returning to Maharajas’ Express to proceed to Delhi.