New Delhi, March. 25 (PTI): Religious tourism in the country is set to get a boost with the introduction of a special train that connects several prominent Buddhist pilgrim centres in India and Lumbini in Nepal.

Christened 'Mahaparinirvana Special', the train will be flagged off by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on March 28 at the Safdarjung railway station here.

The train is aimed at promoting Buddhist tourism in the country and targets tourists from South East Asian nations like Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, said Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) officials.

The train would cover religious centres like Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Varanasi, Shravasti besides Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri in a week.

The fully air-conditioned train offers a complete package with facilities like plush accommodation, food in star hotels and road travel by luxury buses, the officials said.

Besides, the foreign tourists would also be helped in getting visa.

"The USP of the train is that every thing is taken care of once the tourists board the train. It will be a pleasant experience to them," said A Brar, Group General Manager (Tourism and Marketing) of IRCTC.

The train also offers attractive fare structure. From October to March the fare is USD 150 per day per passenger in first AC, USD 105 in second AC and USD 88 in AC three-tier.

The fare is relatively cheaper during April-September. It is USD 140 per day per passenger in first AC, USD 98 in second AC and USD 80 in AC three-tier.