·26 Yatris board from Khammam on this unique Tourist Circuit Train
·Traditional Welcome and festive atmosphere greets the pilgrim passengers
The first Originating Bharat Gaurav Train started from the two Telugu states witnessed enthusiastic response from rail tourists in and around Khammam. 26 Rail Yatris have boarded the “Punya Kshetra Yatra: Puri – Kasi – Ayodhya” Bharat Gaurav Train from Khammam railway station. The Rail Yatris were greeted with Traditional welcome and the whole station premises reverberated with spiritual fervor.
The Ministry of Railways has introduced ‘Bharat Gaurav Trains” to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage by connecting important historical, cultural and religious places of the country through Rail. In this regard, Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has started the “Punya Kshetra Yatra: Puri – Kasi – Ayodhya” today i.e., 18th March, 2023 from Secunderabad Railway Station. This is the first Originating Bharat Gaurav Train from the two Telugu States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This Tourist Circuit Train will take rail passengers to some of India’s most ancient and significant places in Eastern & Northern part of the country.
The tour involves visiting important and historical places in Puri, Konark, Gaya, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj over a period of 8 nights / 9 days duration. The train is being operated by Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The train comprises of both AC and Non-AC Class coaches so as to meet the demands of rail passengers.
IRCTC is providing end-to-end services for the pilgrim tourist passengers travelling by the train. It includes all travel facilities (including both rail as well as road transport), accommodation facility, catering arrangements (Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner – both on-Board and Off-Board), Services of professional and friendly tour escorts, Security on train (including CCTV Cameras installed in all Coaches), Public announcement facility in all coaches, Travel insurance and presence of IRCTC Tour Managers throughout the travel for assistance.
| Destinations and visits covered |
| Puri | Lord Jagannath Temple |
| Konark | Sun Temple & Beach |
| Gaya | Vishnu Pada Temple |
| Varanasi | Kashi Viswanath Temple & Corridor, Kashi Vishalakshi and Annapurna Devi temple. Evening Ganga Aarti |
| Ayodhya | Ram Janma Bhoomi, Hanumangarhi and Aarati at Sarayu River |
| Pryagraj | Triveni Sangam, Hanuman Mandir and Shankar Viman Mandapam |
The first trip of this train has been fully booked by 700 rail passengers, spread across the two Telugu states. To provide further opportunity to pilgrim passengers to avail this unique opportunity, IRCTC will be operating another trip with the same itinerary and boading/deboarding facility (including Khammam) on 18thApril 2023.
