The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched Shri Ramayana Yatra via a deluxe AC tourist train to promote religious tourism in India. The Indian Railways has launched this special tourist train to promote ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, a Government of India initiative. 

IRCTC said, “Get ready for divinity and spirituality filled Shri Ramayana Yatra, because IRCTC has brought you a unique travel plan in which you will be able to visit all the places related to the life of Lord Shri Ram.” During the total journey of 17 days, devotees will be able to visit all the pilgrimage sites related to Lord Shri Ram spread across the country.

The booking for the journey can be done through the IRCTC website. All the passengers will have to bring certificates of both doses of Covid vaccination. This time, Ramayana Express will run from Delhi’s Safdarjung railway station on 7th November. The tour will be completed in 17 days. Passengers will be travelling roughly 7,500 km in the entire tour.

Destinations and visits covered:

Ayodhya: Ram janmbhoomi temple, Hanuman garhi, Saryu Ghat.
Nandigram: Bharat-Hanuman Temple and Bharat kund
Janakpur: Ram-Janki Mandir.
Sitamarhi: Janaki Mandir at Sitamarhi and Punaura Dham.
Varanasi: Tulsi Manas temple, Sankat Mochan temple and Vishwanath temple.
Sita Samahit sthal, Sitamarhi: Sita Mata temple.
Prayag: Bharadwaj Ashram, Ganga-Yamuna Sangam, Hanuman temple.
Shringaverpur: Shringe Rishi Samadhi & Shanta Devi Temple, Ram Chaura.
Chitrakoot: Gupta Godawari, Ramghat, Bharat Milap temple, Sati Anusuiya temple.
Nasik: Trayambkeshwar temple, Panchvati, Sita gufa, Kalaram temple.
Hampi: Anjanadri Hill, Rishimukh Island, Sugreeva cave, Chintamani temple, Malyavantha Raghunath temple.
Rameshwaram: Shiva temple and Dhanushkodi.

Route:

Ayodhya will be the first stop where tourists will visit Shri Ram Janmbhumi temple and Hanuman temple and additionally Bharat Mandir at Nandigram. After Ayodhya, the next destination will be Sitamarhi in Bihar, the birthplace of Sita, and Ram-Janki Temple in Janakpur, Nepal will be covered by road.

Post Sitamarhi, the train will move to Varanasi, and tourists will visit temples at Varanasi, Prayag, Shringverpur, and Chitrakoot by road. Night stay will be provided at Varanasi, Prayag, and Chitrakoot. The next halt of the train will be Nasik, Hampi and Rameshwaram will be the last destination of this train tour after which the train will return to Delhi on the 17th Day of its journey.

Ticket price:

Package Inclusions:

• Train Journey by Special tourist train in 1st AC/2ndAC class.
• 08 Nights stay in deluxe category available accommodation as per itinerary.
• 08 Nights stay in respective Rail coaches during overnight train journey.
• Onboard train meals (veg only): will be served in Rail restaurants.
• Off board meals (veg only) in good quality Hotels.
• All Transfers and sightseeing in AC vehicles.
• Travel insurance for the passengers.
• IRCTC Tour Managers will travel throughout the tour for necessary assistance.
• Security on Train.
• All applicable Taxes.

Paclage Exclusions:

• Boating, adventure sports etc.
• Meals are preset and a choice of menu is not available.
• Any room service will be chargeable.
• Cost of sightseeing, entrance and local guides etc. not included in the itinerary.
• All kind of tips to drivers, waiters, guides, representative, Fuel Surcharge, etc.
• Any expenses of personal nature such as laundry expenses, mineral water, food and drinks not in the regular menus provided by us.
• Anything not included in the inclusions.

Features, amenities:

The train was previously operated with sleeper class only. However this time around, it will be a Deluxe AC train with many modern features and amenities. The state of art tourist train has a host of astounding features including two fine dining restaurants, a modern kitchen, shower cubicles in coaches, sensor-based washroom functions, foot massager.

The fully air-conditioned train provides two types of accommodation- 1st AC and 2nd AC. The train has enhanced security features of CCTV cameras and security guards for each coach.

To ensure the safety measures post COVID-19, full COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for guests if they are 18 years or above. Besides this, IRCTC will also provide a safety kit to all tourists containing face masks, hand gloves and sanitiser.