Vande Bharat
- Semi-high-speed traincapable of reaching 160 km hr
- Spacious seating, improved lighting and contemporary passenger amenities.
- Automatic doors
- Features CCTV surveillance, charging points, reading lights and infotainment systems.
- Equipped with advanced safety systems, including Kavach on compatible routes.
- Electric operation produces lower emissions compared with conventional diesel trains.
- Modern washrooms
More about Sambhar Lake
Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan (Canva)
Sambar Lake is India’s largest inland salt lake. According to the Rajasthan Tourism Department, it is roughly 70 km from Jaipur. Its unusual landscape has often been compared with the Rann of Kutch because of its expansive, almost desert-like appearance.The lake is also internationally important and was designated a Ramsar wetland in 1990. It covers about 24,000 hectares according to the Ramsar Sites Information Service. The shallow saline wetland is fed by seasonal streams and supports large numbers of wintering waterbirds, including flamingos.A flamingo paradiseSambar Lake is a paradise of flamingo lovers. Thousands of migratory birds arrive at the wetland during the cooler months, with flamingos being the star attraction. These gorgeous birds begin arriving around late October, with many staying until March.A January 2025 bird census recorded more than 104,000 migratory birds at Sambhar, including large numbers of lesser and greater flamingos, according to reports citing the census. Imagine seeing that landscape from a moving train, a sleek Vande Bharat cutting through Rajasthan while distant flocks of pink-and-white birds gather around the shimmering wetland.
flamingos (Canva)
It is easy to understand why the footage feels more like a scene from a travel film than a railway journey.A salty landscapeSambhar is not merely a pretty lake. Salt has shaped the region’s history, economy and landscape. The region’s salt pans create geometric patterns across the otherwise seemingly endless landscape.That is another reason the view from a train can be so fascinating. What appears from a distance to be a natural white desert is actually a landscape shaped by water, evaporation, salt production, seasonal changes and human activity.Best way to experienceSambhar Lake is an easy addition to a Rajasthan itinerary, particularly for travellers visiting Jaipur. The experience, however, is very different from visiting a conventional lake. There are no dramatic mountain backdrops or lush promenades. Instead, Sambhar rewards travellers who enjoy wide horizons, unusual landscapes, photography and birdwatching.And for train lovers, the journey itself adds another dimension. The sight of a Vande Bharat racing alongside this ancient salt landscape is a reminder of how dramatically India’s travel story is changing — modern trains are increasingly passing through landscapes that have remained largely unchanged for generations.For a few seconds, Sambhar doesn’t look like Rajasthan at all.It looks like another planet.