TV
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) announced the launch of the Bharat Gaurav Train to promote rail tourism on Monday.
The initiative will offer a special 33 per cent discount for the passengers on travel costs.
The journey will start on March 27, 2025, and the train will depart from Bettiah station under the Samastipur Railway Division.
The key boarding stations for this train will include Sugauli, Raxaul, Bairginia, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Hajipur, Pataliputra, Ara, Buxar, and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction.
This cost-effective train service aims to transport pilgrims to significant religious destinations at an affordable price. The objective is to offer a high-quality experience for devotees while promoting rail tourism under the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative. Railway officials have carefully planned the routes and services to cater to the needs of travellers.
“It is a perfect chance for travellers to explore India's rich spiritual heritage. It is a divine journey at an affordable price,” said Rajesh Kumar, Joint General Manager, of IRCTC.
The Bharat Gaurav Train, launched under IRCTC’s ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ scheme, will take passengers on a spiritual pilgrimage across major religious destinations in South India.
As per the route, the pilgrims will visit Tirupati for Shri Balaji Darshan, Rameswaram for Shri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Madurai for Meenakshi Amman Temple, Kanyakumari to see Kanyakumari Temple and Vivekananda Rock, and Srisailam to see Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga.
The journey will start on March 27, 2025, and will end on April 7, 2025, at Samastipur railway station. The Indian railway has fixed economy class (Sleeper) – Rs 22,520/person and Comfort Class (3 AC) – Rs 38,310/person.
The passengers will stay in air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned hotels as per their categories with vegetarian meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and morning and evening tea) and bottled water will be served to them. They will also get AC and non-AC buses for the sightseeing.
"Bharat Gaurav Train will provide an economical and pleasant experiencbie to pilgrims while giving a new dimension to rail tourism," Kumar said.
“Security guards, cleaning staff and tour escort will provide a unique and comfortable journey for the passengers,” he added.
(With IANS inputs)
