The 12-day pilgrimage will begin on October 21, when the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train departs from Sikar Junction. The train will travel through Jaipur, Ajmer and Bhilwara before reaching Chittorgarh, where it will pick up passengers for the journey to major religious destinations in South India.
The tour, organised by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), will cover Tirupati Balaji, Rameswaram, Madurai, Kanyakumari and the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga.
Mukesh Saini, Chief Regional Manager of IRCTC Jaipur, said the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train had been prepared with passenger convenience in mind. The train will offer facilities including air-conditioned coaches, a modern kitchen car and bio-toilets. Depending on their budget, passengers can choose between Standard and Comfort categories.
12-Day Journey to Major Temples in South India
The journey will commence on October 21 from Sikar Junction. The train is scheduled to reach Renigunta station on October 23, where passengers will stay overnight in Renigunta or Tirupati. On October 24, passengers will visit the Tirupati Balaji Temple.
On October 25, the train will depart from Renigunta for Rameswaram and arrive there on October 26. Passengers will visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple and stay overnight in Rameswaram.
The train will leave Rameswaram for Madurai on October 27. In the evening, passengers will visit the famous Meenakshi Temple.
Kanyakumari Visit to Be Followed by Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Darshan
After Madurai, the train will depart for Kanyakumari at night and reach the destination on the morning of October 28. Passengers will spend the day exploring Kanyakumari, after which the train will proceed to Makarpur station.
Upon reaching Makarpur on October 30, passengers will visit the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga. The return journey will begin on the same night following the darshan.
The train will then travel through Jaipur, Ajmer, Bhilwara and Chittorgarh before returning to Sikar Junction on November 1, marking the completion of the 12-day pilgrimage.
Package Includes Train Travel, Meals and Accommodation
Under the IRCTC tour package, passengers will receive confirmed train berths and hotel accommodation. The package also includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with local bus transportation to the temples. Travel insurance will also be provided to passengers.
Government and public sector employees may also be eligible to avail Leave Travel Concession (LTC) benefits for the journey, subject to applicable rules. Eligibility will be determined in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
South India Darshan Package Priced at Rs 37,810 Per Person
The Standard category package has been priced at Rs 37,810 per person. It includes Third AC train travel, non-AC accommodation and non-AC bus services. The package has been designed with passengers' convenience and budgets in mind.
According to IRCTC officials, passenger interest in the pilgrimage has remained steady. All sleeper and second AC seats have been booked, leaving only the Third AC Standard category available for reservations.
With just two days remaining for bookings, passengers from Chittorgarh and surrounding areas who wish to visit the major religious destinations of South India will need to complete their reservations promptly, subject to seat availability.
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