Visit Janaki Mandir in Sitamarhi as part of ‘Shri Ramayana Yatra’ from Nov 7: IRCTC

PATNA: With a view to promoting religious tourism in the country, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched ‘Shri Ramayana Yatra’ as part of which a deluxe AC train will cover all the prominent places associated with Lord Ram. It will begin its 17-day journey from the Safdarjung railway station in Delhi on November 7.
A K Jha, the senior public relations officer of the IRCTC, told this reporter on Thursday, “The fully air-conditioned train, which will accommodate 156 passengers, has two restaurants, a modern kitchen, shower cubicles, and sensor-based washrooms.It also has CCTV cameras and security guards.”
According to the programme chalked out by the IRCTC, the train will first reach Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh where the tourists will cover the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi temple, Hanuman Garhi, Saryu Ghat, Sri Bharat Hanuman Milan Mandir, and Bharat Kund. The next destination will be Sitamarhi in Bihar where the passengers will be taken to Janaki Mandir and Punaura Dham. The train will then move to Varanasi and make the tourists visit the Tulsi Manas Mandir, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, and Kashi Vishwanath Temple. After Varanasi, the passengers will reach Nashik in Maharashtra and visit the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Panchvati, Sita Gufa, and Kalaram Temple. At their next destination, Hampi, they will go to Anjeyanadri Hill, Rishimukh, Sugreeva’s Cave, Chintamani Temple, and Malayavanta Raghunatha Temple. Rameswaram will be the last destination after which the passengers will return to Delhi.
“A passenger travelling by an AC-I coach will pay Rs 1,02,095 to the IRCTC and by an AC-II coach Rs 82,950. These packages will cover the train fare, hotel accommodation, vegetarian meals, sightseeing in AC vehicles, travel insurance and tour manager,” Jha said, adding that the IRCTC had made it mandatory for all the passengers to be fully vaccinated.
Bookings can be done on irctctourism.com on a first-come-first-serve basis. The important contact numbers are 8287930202 , 8287930299, and 8287930157.