Railways to launch pilgrimage yatras from Punjab and Haryana

Railways to launch pilgrimage yatras from Punjab and Haryana

Devotees can visit Jyotirlingas and Sikh shrines on all-inclusive tours with boarding from multiple Punjab and Haryana cities

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will launch two special Bharat Gaurav tourist trains in May, offering devotees from Punjab and nearby regions curated pilgrimage experiences by rail. The tours aim to blend spiritual exploration with comfort and security.

The first package, titled 07 Jyotirlinga Yatra, is a 13-day journey beginning May 12. It will cover seven Jyotirlingas across India Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain), Omkareshwar, Nageshwar (Dwarka), Somnath, Bhimashankar (Pune), Trimbakeshwar (Nashik), and Grishneshwar (Aurangabad). The package includes onboard vegetarian meals, hotel stays, guided road transfers, and travel insurance. Fares are set at ₹27,455 for the Economy class, ₹38,975 for Standard, and ₹51,365 for Comfort.

The second tour, Guru Kripa Yatra, begins May 27, and spans seven days. It will take pilgrims to the Patna Sahib Gurudwara and Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Sheetal Kund Saheb in Rajgir. The package is priced at ₹13,460 in Economy, ₹20,960 in Standard, and ₹28,415 in Comfort, with similar inclusions as the Jyotirlinga Yatra.

Together, the two trains will offer 762 seats?640 in Sleeper class, 70 in 3AC, and 52 in 2AC. Both trains originate from Amritsar, with additional boarding and deboarding points at key stations including Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Delhi Cantt, Gurgaon, Rewari, and Ajmer.

Depending on the ticket category, pilgrims will be provided with varying levels of hotel accommodation and ground transport. Passengers must carry a valid government-issued ID.

Bookings can be made through the IRCTC tourism website or at IRCTC offices in Chandigarh and Delhi