Patna: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced a special pilgrimage tour under its Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train scheme, offering a 12-day journey covering six Jyotirlingas and the Shirdi Sai Baba temple.
The train will commence on May 11 from Jharsuguda, with boarding facilities available at several stations across Bihar, including Patna, Buxar and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction.
Route And Boarding Points
The train is scheduled to halt at multiple stations, including Rourkela, Ranchi, Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Gaya, Rajgir, Bihar Sharif and Patna, enabling passengers from eastern India to join the tour.
Rajesh Kumar, regional manager of IRCTC, said the package has been designed as an all-inclusive offering catering to religious travellers.
Destinations Covered
According to officials, the itinerary includes visits to key Jyotirlinga sites such as:
- Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh
- Somnath and Nageshwar in Dwarka
- Trimbakeshwar in Nashik
- Grishneshwar in Aurangabad
The tour also includes a visit to the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple.
Fare And Facilities
| Category | Fare (per person) |
|---|---|
| Economy | Rs 23,315 |
| Standard | Rs 41,570 |
| Comfort | Rs 50,410 |
Passengers will be offered facilities based on their chosen category, including sleeper, 3AC or 2AC accommodation, hotel stays, vegetarian meals and local transport.
Boost To Religious Tourism
Officials said the initiative is part of the Centre’s efforts to promote domestic tourism under campaigns such as Dekho Apna Desh and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, aimed at encouraging cultural exchange and travel within the country.
Sanjeev Kumar, chief tourism supervisor, said the package seeks to provide a seamless and organised pilgrimage experience for devotees across regions.
