Trip To New Delhi: Happy New Year 2017

This is the first blog post for the new year and also the first one of my first New Delhi Trip, and a series of New Delhi related posts will follow later.



It was December 29th, the day before the last exam of my master degree course, me and my sister decided that we would visit our cousin in New Delhi. The main intention was a long vacation and also that my sister was to appear at a job interview there. On same day we booked tickets on the 12301 Howrah Rajdhani Express to NDLS (New Delhi Railway Station) and our journey date was on 31st the last day of the year! From NDLS our cousin was expected to pick us up.

Foggy 'Mughalsarai Railway Station' from my train bunk

What can be more good for a travel blogger whose new year was going to start by travelling! We started from the grand ‘Howrah station (HWH)’, spent the new year’s evening and mid night on train. Though I travel often, it is very rare that I am away from home and family at this time of the year. Though my sister was with me, but I was really missing my parents, though they came to see off us at the railway station. Usually on the new year’s eve it remains strictly a family affair, we would enjoy good programmes or movies on TV, have some quality time together; then my mom would cook something special and if it is possible then I try to make a cake. At around midnight we would eat sweets and would call (& text) our close relatives, especially a phone call to my granny is a must who is in her late 80s.

On the first day of the new year, I always try to see the first sunrise of the new year. It is a popular custom at many countries of the world, especially in eastern Asia. This year it was not possible as I was in the train and also due to the dense foggy weather. The sun came up quite late, after about an hour past midday. Dense fog is quite common throughout North India and even at ours in the east, and it makes serious train and flight delays (even our train was late by 5+ hours).

'Gaya Junction' Railway Station on a deep January winter night

 The journey on train was dull if I compare so, there were no celebrations and nothing special. With us there was a gentleman and his wife, who were going to attend their cousin’s funeral who passed away just recently in a road accident. More bad was that the deceased was married just recently and has left a month old girl child and his widowed mother. Hence the mood was not very joyous; though they were quite friendly and we had a great time talking. The gentleman opened the magic box of his experiences, and we heard so many travel stories from him, and I must not forget to mention, his ‘stories of the notorious winter of Delhi and North India’!!


Anyway I was trying to call mom and dad from train at midnight. Everyone, including my sister, was sleeping on the train, lights of the compartment was turned off and the train was running through the remote plains of the state of Uttar Pradesh. I could call without any issues, luckily network was not congested.

Notorious Fog Of North India - Somewhere in the state of Uttar Pradesh

Being a first time traveller to Delhi and to this route, I was quite excited. The lush green landscape from the train window was amazing. Though there was dense fog and cloudy weather - the view was no less beautiful. This makes train travel in India so special; and throughout the journey I came across some interesting animals like the ‘Peacock’ - our national bird, the Nilgai (Blue Bull - quite common in this region, considered a pest), ‘Monkeys’ and so many kinds of birds (Egrets, Srane, Saras, Swallows, Parrots, etc). It was quite amazing. Unfortunately as per the schedule the 12301 Rajdhani covers most of its journey at night, but the train delay was sort of a blessing for me to enjoy the outside view. I must also agree that at the end the delay was frustrating.

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Rajdhani Express trains being the premium trains in India and known for their hospitality, extended the same to us quite nicely which I appreciated very much. Pantry car guys were cordial, and the food was good enough.


We reached NDLS quite late, around 1430 local time. I cant blame them, all trains of North India always get delayed due to foggy weather at this time of the year (Winter). The foggy weather makes the train tracks greasy and the breaks cant be applied properly, so their remains a high risk of accidents - naturally drivers run trains at very low speed than the usual speed. So if you are unfamiliar with the situation, I warn you that you be prepare for this delay. Otherwise at other times of the year Rajdhani trains are excellent trains that you can trust. They are also among the fastest trains in India and gets the highest priority on the Indian Railway Network.



For both Indian and non-Indian travellers: I really recommend this train to you: Rajdhani trains (Fleet of 23 trains as of January 2017), connects different parts of India with the India’s capital city “New Delhi”. Do check out available options and destinations for other Rajdhani trains that might suit your travel plans. Apart of Rajdhani Express trains here are also similar trains on this and other routes like Shatabdi Express,Duronto Express; and many more.

Thats all for today. Do check out my YouTube Channel "Soumos Travelbox' for more videos of my New Delhi trip and many others. I also have a railfanning vlog (Soumo's Railways), that I also invite you to visit.