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A special train for the Buddhist circuit

Sandeep Joshi

Links all important places in India and Nepal

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways has now decided to cash in on the growing tourism sector in the country. Targeting Buddhist tourists from both India and abroad, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd, an arm of the Indian Railways, will be launching a unique express train connecting all important places of Buddhist pilgrimages in India besides one in Nepal.

Named "Mahaparinirvan Express", on which all amenities of the Rajdhani Express trains will be provided, the first journey will begin from Chennai on January 12 and conclude after 15 days (January 26) in the same city. The train will pass through Guntur, Aurangabad, Bhopal, Agra, Delhi, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Gaya and Bhubaneshwar. The journey will also cover Lumbini in Nepal where Lord Buddha was born.

Comprehensive trip

Tourists will be offered onboard and off-board catering and housekeeping services.

They will also be provided road transfer by luxury coaches and taken for sightseeing, visits and "darshan" to holy places. Tickets will also cover hotel accommodation and all meals.

Ticket structure

The special train will have 18 berths of first AC, 92 of two-tier AC and 256 berths of three-tier AC with a fare structure of US $ 120 per person per day for first AC, $ 90 for two-tier AC and $ 80 for three-tier AC. Indian tourists can also travel on the special train by paying equal amount of fare in Indian currency. Tourists can also go on part journey with a minimum period of seven days in continuity.

Initially, seven trips have been planned which would be on January 12, January 28, February 13, March 4, March 25, April 24 and May 24 next year.

All these will be from Chennai, while the dates and departing stations for future trips will be announced later.

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