IRCTC to launch Ramayana Tourism in November

Representative picture only

With an aim to promote religious tourism, IRCTC is all set to launch a special tourist train linking key site in Ramayana. The train, called Sri Ramayana Express, will start operations from November 14.

The tour by train will link all the important places that linked to the epic ‘Ramayana”. It will set off from Delhi through Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Rama as per the epic, to Colombo, Sri Lanka were he fought Ravana to salvage Sita Devi.

The train will have 800 seats and the total cost for the tours is expected to be Rs 15,120/-. Duration of the tour is 16 days. Meals will be provided in the train and facilities for wash and change will be arranged at the place of stays during the journey. The trip will also cover all transfers and sightseeing. IRCTC tour managers will accompany the passengers for necessary assistance.

The train, which will start from Safdarjung station of Delhi, will make its first stop in Ayodhya, Hanuman Garhi, Ramkot and the Kanak Bhawan Temple. The train will then move along the Ramayana circuit, halting at Nandigram, Sitamarhi, Janakpur, Varanasi, Prayag, Shringaverpur, Chitrakoot, Nasik, Hampi and Rameshwaram or at the nearest railway stations. Transportation form the railway station to the pilgrimage centres will be arranged by IRCTC

Those who want to go to Sri Lanka straight can travel from Chennai by flight. Those who travel directly to Colombo through Chennai will also travel to Ramboda, Nuwara Elliya and Chilaw. IRCTC is expecting good revenue from this circuit. Once the first travel is completed, decision will be taken whether it is to be once in a year or twice, based on the success of the programme and the response from the public.