Indian Railways has announced two specialised Bharat Gaurav tourist train circuits, offering devotees and travellers a unique opportunity to explore iconic temples across India with comfort, convenience, and sustainable travel. The new initiatives focus on the Temples of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and the Pancha Dwarka Yatra, combining heritage tourism with modern rail amenities.
The Tamil Nadu and Kerala temple circuit is scheduled to commence on 16 November. This journey covers a curated list of revered sites including Thirukadaiyur, Chidambaram, Arunachalam, Trichy, Thanjavur, Rameswaram, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram, Chottanikkara, and Guruvayur. The tour is designed to offer an immersive cultural experience across two southern states, highlighting spiritual landmarks, local traditions, and architectural heritage. The Pancha Dwarka Yatra, beginning on 26 November, spans ten days and includes Dwaraka, Dakor Dwaraka, Nathdwaraka, Beyt Dwaraka, Nishkalank Mahadev Sea Temple, Yadadri, the Statue of Equality, the Statue of Unity, Somnath, Nageshwar, and Ahmedabad. This route has been developed to celebrate India’s maritime and spiritual history, connecting devotees with sacred coastal temples and Jyotirlinga shrines.
Experts highlight that these circuits are fully integrated travel packages, encompassing hotel accommodations, sightseeing, local transfers, and travel insurance. Moreover, the Indian Railways is offering a 33% subsidy, making the trips more accessible to a broader segment of travellers while promoting rail-based sustainable tourism. Boarding points for these circuits have been strategically located across key southern and central stations including Gudur, Nellore, Ongole, Chirala, Vijayawada, Khammam, and Warangal, ensuring ease of access and minimising additional travel emissions. Officials emphasise that the train-based tours reduce reliance on road transport, lowering carbon footprints compared to private vehicles or buses, while providing a seamless, safe, and eco-conscious travel experience.
The initiative reflects Indian Railways’ growing focus on heritage and spiritual tourism as a driver of regional economic growth, employment generation, and sustainable mobility. With modern train coaches, integrated services, and strategic itineraries, these circuits are expected to attract domestic and international tourists, especially those seeking curated cultural journeys that combine comfort with spiritual enrichment. While the circuits are currently structured for temple tourism, experts suggest that similar Bharat Gaurav thematic circuits could expand into wildlife, heritage, and eco-tourism, creating a network of low-carbon rail experiences across India.
By integrating cultural exploration with sustainable travel, Indian Railways is setting a precedent for green tourism solutions, demonstrating how infrastructure can serve both economic and environmental objectives while enriching India’s cultural narrative.
Also Read: Mumbai To Offer Rail Metro Waterway Access To Navi Mumbai Airport
