India Flags Off Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Train for Shri Ramayana Yatra Pilgrimage Tour
India is once again blending spirituality with travel innovation as it launches the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train, offering a meticulously planned Shri Ramayana Yatra beginning July 25, 2025. This 17-day pilgrimage journey promises to take devotees through the sacred geography associated with the life and legacy of Lord Shri Ram, combining faith, heritage, and modern rail comfort into a seamless spiritual expedition.
Operated by IRCTC, this special tourist train is part of the Government of India’s ambitious “Dekho Apna Desh” and “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” initiatives aimed at boosting domestic tourism through curated cultural circuits. The journey begins from Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station and spans approximately 7,600 kilometers across India and Nepal, touching iconic Ramayana sites such as Ayodhya, Janakpur, Chitrakoot, Nashik, Hampi, and Rameshwaram before returning to Delhi.
What sets this train apart is not just the spiritual itinerary, but the luxurious experience offered onboard. The state-of-the-art Deluxe AC Tourist Train is equipped with multiple classes of travel—AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier—accommodating up to 150 passengers. Designed with modern-day pilgrims in mind, it features an array of amenities including two onboard restaurants, a contemporary kitchen, shower cubicles, sensor-based washroom systems, foot massagers, and CCTV surveillance with security guards in each coach. In short, it’s a temple on tracks with the convenience of a mobile hotel.
Tourists can choose to board or deboard the train at key stations including Delhi, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Tundla, Etawah, Kanpur, and Lucknow, adding flexibility to the pilgrimage. For booking convenience, IRCTC has also introduced a 25% part-payment option to make the tour more accessible for interested travelers.
The journey begins with a visit to Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, where pilgrims will visit the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Hanuman Garhi, and Ram Ki Paidi on the banks of the Saryu River. From there, the train heads to Nandigram for a stop at Bharat Mandir before moving on to Sitamarhi in Bihar. A road trip extension from Sitamarhi leads to Janakpur in Nepal—the fabled kingdom of Mithila—where travelers can explore Sita Ji’s birthplace and the revered Ram Janki Temple.
Next, the train proceeds to Buxar to witness Ramrekha Ghat and Rameshwarnath Temple, significant in Ramayana lore. In Varanasi, the cultural capital of India, passengers will explore the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Tulsi Mandir, and Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, with a soul-stirring evening Ganga Aarti on the itinerary. The following days will be spent visiting Prayagraj, Shringverpur, and Chitrakoot—locations central to the exile years of Lord Ram—with overnight stays arranged for convenience.
The southern leg of the tour includes a visit to Nashik, where the group will cover Trimbakeshwar Temple and the Panchvati area. Hampi follows next, widely believed to be the ancient monkey kingdom of Kishkindha. Pilgrims will scale Anjaneya Hill, considered the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, and explore architectural marvels like Vitthala and Virupaksha temples. The penultimate destination is Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, where devotees will visit the sacred Ramanathaswamy Temple and the mythologically significant Dhanushkodi. The return journey to Delhi will mark the conclusion of this spiritually enriching experience.
The all-inclusive package is priced at ₹1,17,975 for AC 3-Tier, ₹1,40,120 for AC 2-Tier, ₹1,66,380 for First AC Cabin, and ₹1,79,515 for First AC Coupe. This price covers train travel, vegetarian meals, 3-star hotel stays, road transfers in AC coaches, sightseeing, travel insurance, and the services of experienced IRCTC Tour Managers. Safety protocols and hygiene standards are assured throughout the journey. Booking is currently open on a first-come, first-served basis via IRCTC’s official tourism portalwww.irctctourism.com/bharatgaurav. Interested travelers can also reach out for assistance through mobile numbers: 8595931047, 8287930299, 8882826357, 8287930032, and 8287930484.
By combining India’s spiritual heritage with first-class railway service, the Shri Ramayana Yatra through Bharat Gaurav Train isn’t just a religious journey—it’s a historical and cultural revival on wheels. It’s yet another testament to how India is embracing its past while innovating for the future.
