To cater exclusively to pilgrims in southern India, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Monday announced the introduction of a new tourist train originating from Chennai covering some of the popular Hindu and Buddhist pilgrim destinations in India and Nepal.
The AC tourist train will start its maiden tour on May 11 from Chennai Central and will terminate at the same place on May 23 after covering Allahabad, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Kathmandu, Manakamana, Pokhara and Kushinagar. It is being routed through Vijayawada and Warangal for Andhra Pradesh pilgrims.
According to the IRCTC, the train would offer tourists a lifetime opportunity to bathe in the Triveni Sangam (confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati) in Allahabad, visit the famous Vishwanath and Visalakshi temples in Varanasi.
In Nepal, travellers would be taken to Pashupathinath Temple, Swayambhunath (a Buddhist Temple) and Budha Nilkantha (Lord Vishnu) temple. They could also get a chance to see Lumbini in Nepal, birth place of Lord Buddha, and Kushinagar. A visit to Ayodha and sightseeing at Pokhara, Nepal will be other attractions.
The tour includes travel, AC hotel accommodation at places of night stays, buses for sightseeing, vegetarian catering, services of tour escort and security among others.