Golden Chariot to now host luxury weddings

Bengaluru: Giving a new twist to the destination wedding fad, the Karnataka State Development Tourism Corporation is now offering to hold weddings on board the luxury train, Golden Chariot.

The novel concept will allow couples, game for the adventure, to tie the knot while travelling across Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa in the comfort of the five star train.

Guests and family alike will be able to enjoy the tourist hotspots of Hampi, Badami, Mysuru, Kabini and others  while attending the wedding  celebrations. The idea is to marry novelty with some shrewd business sense to revive the train,  taken off the rails some years ago owing to financial losses.   

Hitting the tracks in 2008 with much fanfare, the Golden Chariot charged domestic passengers close to Rs 2 lakh a person. But it soon  saw financial losses due to high maintenance charges,  low occupancy rates and  high haulage charges. But the government is now clearly hoping the new wedding onboard offer will see it come out of the woods and make a run for its money again.

“People like to have luxury weddings. As the train can accommodate 70 to 80 passengers at a time, two families can easily use it. No rates have been proposed as  yet to book the train for weddings. But they will be customized and be possibly higher than the normal fare. But the aim is to make the event financially viable, despite it being luxurious. Couples are welcome to approach the department to discuss holding their weddings on the Chariot,” said tourism minister, Priyank Kharge, when contacted.

But  wedding planners are not fully convinced the idea is workable.  “ It's a  good concept, and could work if the train stops in a luxury resort for the main celebration. But 80 per cent  of the people, who hold luxury weddings are North Indians, who are more extravagant. As for foreigners, they may go to Badami and Goa,  but they may not want to travel all the way to get married in a train,” said wedding planner, Ram Jha. Another wedding planner, Divya believes the idea is great for NRIs based in Bengaluru, but  is not sure how it will work. “ Guests like to be entertained during weddings. While they are on the train each day, there needs to be activities for them like dancing and DJs. Also, when weddings take plance in five star hotels, everyone gets a grand welcome. How will they be welcomed at a railway station?” she asked.