Hyderabad rolls out Ashadha Ekadashi trains for festive travellers
South Central Railway has announced three special train services connecting key towns across Telangana and Maharashtra to manage the anticipated spike in pilgrim travel during Ashadha Ekadashi. These one-time services, scheduled for early July, aim to ease congestion and facilitate smoother journeys for devotees. The move comes as part of broader efforts to accommodate religious travellers visiting temples and pilgrimage hubs during this auspicious Hindu festival.
South Central Railway has rolled out three new special trains to cater to increased passenger traffic expected during Ashadha Ekadashi. The services include the Nanded–Adilabad express, departing July 4 at 11:30 am and reaching its destination by 4:30 am the next day. This route covers several regional stations such as Mudkhed, Himayatnagar, and Kinwat, offering multiple class options including AC II Tier, AC III Tier, Sleeper, and General. On the same day, another special train will depart Jalna at 9 pm en route to Akola, arriving by 5:30 am the following morning. This train will stop at important regional stations like Partur, Parbhani, Hingoli, and Washim. A reverse route train from Jalna to Nagarsol will operate on July 5, covering Aurangabad and Lasur. These trains are intended to support seamless intercity travel for pilgrims and tourists seeking direct and convenient connectivity during the sacred Ashadha Ekadashi period.
In addition to new services, authorities have extended two ongoing special trains to accommodate continued high passenger demand beyond the festival period. The Tirupati–Narsapur service (07131) will run every Sunday until March 2026, while its return leg (07132) from Narsapur to Tirupati will operate each Monday over the same period. Officials indicated that these extensions aim to handle long-term religious tourism traffic, especially to South India’s prominent temple towns. The timing of these additions is aligned with the spiritual significance of Ashadha Ekadashi, a key observance that marks the beginning of Chaturmas—a four-month holy period in the Hindu calendar. Thousands of devotees are expected to travel during this time, particularly to Vishnu temples and religious gatherings. With tailored services and detailed scheduling, the railways hope to provide both safety and comfort, reducing the need for bus transfers or complex travel arrangements for rural and urban passengers alike.
By introducing these one-time special services and extending key religious routes, South Central Railway is taking proactive steps to manage festival travel with minimal disruption. These measures are expected to ease congestion, enhance regional connectivity, and provide reliable travel options to devotees observing Ashadha Ekadashi. As passenger movement intensifies around religious festivals, well-coordinated transportation support becomes crucial. Authorities continue to encourage advance bookings and cooperation from the public to ensure orderly travel. The current strategy not only addresses immediate needs but sets a precedent for managing large-scale movement during future religious and cultural events in India.
