(Image source from: PTI)
Spiritual tourism in India is a growing industry supported by more than 450,000 historical sites and popular places like Varanasi, Rishikesh, Tirupati, Amritsar, and Ayodhya, among others. In addition to local visitors, millions of people from all over the globe come to India each year to engage in pilgrimage, yoga, and wellness activities. To enhance pilgrimage tourism, Indian Railways has introduced a 17-day Shri Ramayana Yatra tour that explores important sites connected to the Ramayana in India and Nepal. This tour will start on March 30 and will visit famous spots linked to Lord Rama's story. Over the course of the 16-night and 17-day trip, the train will make stops at key locations like Ayodhya, Nandigram, Sitamarhi, Janakpur, Buxar, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Shringverpur, Chitrakoot, Nashik, Hampi, and Rameshwaram. This journey will be taken on the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC tourist train as part of Indian Railways' initiative to merge pilgrimage travel with luxury experiences. According to officials from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, the modern train is equipped with up-to-date facilities. There are three types of cabins available - First AC, Second AC, and Third AC - along with a fully-equipped kitchen, two dining areas, restrooms with advanced features, shower units in the coaches, foot massagers, along with CCTV and security personnel for increased safety in every coach.
The trip will start at Safdarjung Railway Station, with Ayodhya being the first stop, where travelers will visit the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Hanuman Garhi, and Ram Ki Paidi. Next, the train will head to Nandigram to see the Bharat-Hanuman Temple and Bharat Kund. The itinerary also includes Sitamarhi in Bihar, where travelers will take a road trip to Janakpur in Nepal to explore Janaki Temple, the birthplace of Sita, Dhanush Dham temple, and Parashuram Kund. The tour will cover additional destinations which include:
Buxar: Ram Rekha Ghat and Rameshwar Nath Temple.
Varanasi: Tulsi Manas temple, Sankat Mochan temple, Kashi Vishwanath temple, and Ganga Aarti.
Sitamarhi (Uttar Pradesh): Sita Samahit Sthal (Sita Mata temple).
Prayagraj: Triveni Sangam, Hanuman Temple, and Bharadwaj Ashram.
Shringverpur: Shring Rishi Temple.
Chitrakoot: Gupt Godavari, Ram Ghat, and Sati Anusuya Temple.
Nashik: Trayambkeshwar temple and Panchvati (Sita gufa and Kalaram temple).
Hampi: Anjanadri Hill, Virupaksha temple, and Vitthal Temple.
Rameshwaram: Ramanathaswamy temple and Dhanushkodi.
On the 17th day of the trip, the train will arrive back in Delhi, having traveled around 7,560 km in total.
Regarding the price of the packages, the Railways have set rates at Rs 1,14,100 for 3AC, Rs 1,51,225 for 2AC, and Rs 1,64,940 for 1AC. The lowest price available is Rs 1,11,630 for travelers sharing rooms with two others. This package covers train transportation in the chosen class, lodging in three-star hotels, all vegetarian meals, transfers, sightseeing in air-conditioned buses, travel insurance, and assistance from IRCTC tour managers for a total of 150 individuals.
