Special tourist train to cover 'Ramayana' destinations

ALLAHABAD: The tourism wing of the ministry of railways will run a special tourist train, 'Shri Ramayana Express', connecting sites related to Lord Ram in famous epic ' Ramayana' in India as well as in Sri Lanka. The train will be flagged off on November 14 from Delhi's Safdarjung railway station and will make its first stop in Ayodhya. It will also halt at Nandigram, Sitamarhi, Janakpur, Varanasi, Prayag, Shringaverpur, Chitrakoot, Hampi, Nasik and Rameshwaram. The 16-day tour is likely to cost around Rs 15,000 per passenger.
NCR PRO Amit Malviya said, "To be run by IRCTC, the train will cover all important destinations associated with the life of Lord Ram in 16-day all-inclusive tour package covering both India and Sri Lanka. The all-inclusive tour package will cover all meals, accommodation and wash and change facilities in 'dharmashalas' (guest houses), all transfers, sight-seeing arrangements and dedicated tour manager of IRCTC, who will travel with the tourists during the entire tour.

Named as Shri Ramayana Yatra-Sri Lanka, the pilgrimage circuit will have two travel components - one each in India and Sri Lanka. After leaving Delhi, the train will make its first stop in Ayodhya followed by Hanuman Garhi, Ramkot and Kanak Bhawan temple. The train will then cover the important destinations of Ramayana circuit such as Nandigram, Sitamarhi, Janakpur, Varanasi, Prayag, Shringverpur, Chitrakoot, Nasik, Hampi and Rameshwaram.

The train will have an overall capacity for 800 passengers. Attractively priced at only Rs. 15,120 per person, the tour package is going to be a favourite pick for the tourists. However, the Sri Lanka leg of the tour will be charged separately. The passengers opting for Sri Lanka leg of the Ramayana Yatra package can take a flight to Colombo from Chennai.


The online booking of Shri Ramayana Express will be made live shortly on IRCTC’s website.