Patna: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has decided to launch a special 17-day Ramayan Circuit train journey starting March 30, offering devotees an opportunity to visit key sites associated with the life of Lord Ram.The tour will start from Delhi’s Safdarganj railway station aboard the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC tourist train, a premier tourist train designed to provide a comfortable pilgrimage experience. The initiative is part of the govt of India’s Dekho Apna Desh and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat vision to promote domestic tourism and cultural heritage, said IRCTC chief public relations officer (CPRO) V K Bhatti.According to Bhatti, the deluxe tourist train will offer travel in first AC, second AC and third AC classes. The package cost has been fixed at Rs 1,64,940 per person in first AC, followed by Rs 1,54,225 in second AC and Rs 1,14,100 in third AC, he said.During the 17-day itinerary, the train will take pilgrims to several sacred destinations linked to the Ramayan. These include Ayodhya, Nandigram, Sitamarhi and Buxar in Bihar, Janakpur in Nepal, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Shringverpur, Nashik, Hampi and Rameshwaram, covering important locations associated with the epic Ramayan, the CPRO said.According to sources, passengers will be able to board and deboard the train at several stations including Delhi, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Tundla, Etawah, Kanpur and Lucknow. To make the package more accessible, IRCTC has also introduced a payment option allowing tourists to pay an initial 25% of the total tour package at the time of booking, sources said.They added that the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC tourist train features two onboard restaurants, a modern kitchen, shower cubicles in coaches and sensor-based washrooms, offering passengers a comfortable and hygienic travel experience.
