Varanasi Offers Special Bus Service to Gaya During Pitra Paksh Pilgrimage
Lucknow has introduced a dedicated interstate bus service to Gaya in Bihar, aimed at facilitating thousands of devotees travelling to perform ancestral rituals during the ongoing Pitra Paksh period. The initiative, which began operations in mid-August, provides daily connectivity between Varanasi and Bodh Gaya, covering a distance of nearly 260 kilometres through Chandauli, Sasaram, Aurangabad, and Sherghati.
According to transport officials, the service departs every evening at 8 pm from Varanasi Cantt bus depot and reaches Gaya early the next morning, offering affordable fares fixed at ₹465 per passenger. Authorities added that the service will continue through the ritual period and could become a permanent feature depending on demand and public feedback.
The launch forms part of a wider effort by the state to expand interstate mobility and provide socially inclusive, affordable travel solutions. Alongside the Varanasi–Gaya route, two other new links have been introduced: from Lucknow to Muzaffarpur in Bihar and from Meerut to Sonepat in Haryana. Officials noted that the objective is to ensure accessible public transport options that support both cultural practices and routine travel. Transport planners emphasise that initiatives of this kind reflect the government’s intention to strengthen regional connectivity while reducing reliance on private vehicles, thereby lowering the overall carbon footprint of travel. With many families otherwise dependent on hired cars or unregulated operators during peak ritual periods, the bus service offers a safer, more economical, and more environmentally responsible alternative.
Devotees have welcomed the move, pointing out that direct, low-cost transport to pilgrimage centres eases both financial and logistical burdens. “For years, families had to depend on private jeeps or expensive taxis to reach Gaya during Pitra Paksh. This service makes it simpler and safer,” said one devotee at the Varanasi depot. Officials further suggested that similar targeted services could be launched during other high-demand religious and cultural seasons, creating a sustainable model that blends social utility with financial viability. For now, the state transport corporation is monitoring passenger numbers and feedback to determine whether the route should continue year-round.
Urban mobility experts say that such initiatives demonstrate how public transport can respond to cultural and seasonal needs without compromising affordability or sustainability. If made permanent, the Lucknow and Varanasi to Gaya routes could strengthen eco-friendly travel across state borders, offering a template for inclusive mobility that prioritises both heritage and sustainability. For passengers this season, however, the message is clear: an accessible and reliable journey to one of India’s most significant pilgrimage centres is now just a bus ride away.
