Bettiah: Pilgrims planning a religious tour across western and central India will have an opportunity to visit four Jyotirlingas on a single journey, with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) set to operate a special Bharat Gaurav tourist train from Bihar.
The train will depart from Bettiah on September 1, 2026, for an eight-night and nine-day pilgrimage tour covering several prominent religious and tourist destinations.
The tour will operate under IRCTC package code EZBG-32.
Four Jyotirlingas covered in one tour
The itinerary will include visits to four important Jyotirlingas:
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga – Ujjain
- Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga – Ujjain
- Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga – Nashik
- Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
The tour will also include a visit to the Shri Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi and the Ellora Caves, allowing passengers to combine pilgrimage with heritage tourism.
Boarding available at 14 stations
Passengers from Bihar and neighbouring areas will be able to board the Bharat Gaurav train from 14 stations, making the tour accessible to travellers from several districts.
The boarding stations are:
- Bettiah
- Sugauli
- Raxaul
- Sitamarhi
- Darbhanga
- Samastipur
- Muzaffarpur
- Hajipur
- Patliputra
- Ara
- Buxar
- Dildar Nagar
- Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya
- Prayagraj Chheoki
Three package categories available
IRCTC has announced three accommodation and travel categories for passengers:
| Category | Fare per passenger |
|---|---|
| Economy | ₹18,160 |
| Standard | ₹32,550 |
| Comfort | ₹39,425 |
The package includes train travel, accommodation, vegetarian meals and local transportation for sightseeing and transfers.
340 seats already booked
According to IRCTC, around 340 seats have already been booked, while approximately 160 seats remain available.
Passengers interested in joining the pilgrimage have therefore been advised to book early, subject to availability.
What is included in the package?
The Bharat Gaurav package includes:
- Train journey
- Accommodation
- Vegetarian meals
- Local transportation
- Local sightseeing
- Travel insurance
The package is designed to provide pilgrims with an integrated travel arrangement covering transportation, accommodation and sightseeing during the nine-day journey.
Train to start on September 1
According to Kanhaiya Sharma, IRCTC Regional Manager, Patna, the Bharat Gaurav tourist train will commence its journey from Bettiah on September 1, 2026.
Passengers can obtain additional information and make bookings through IRCTC’s official channels. Since seats are limited and bookings are already underway, travellers planning the pilgrimage are advised to check availability before making their reservations.
