India breathes on the pillar of faith and belief, a land where every new activity or task begins with the blessings and grace of God. We function on the grounds of our religious and spiritual teachings. India, known for its vibrant culture, color, ethnicity, languages, geographical expansion, and religious beliefs and practices, is expanding its possibilities in various sectors. One such sector is the tourism sector of the country. The Government has started several initiatives that explore religious tourism potential.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) launched an 18-day ‘Shri Ramayana Yatra’ through a special Bharat Gaurav tourist train on June 21. Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy flagged off the Shri Ramayana Yatra from Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi.

The Shri Ramayana Yatra theme-based pilgrimage tour by the first Bharat Gaurav tourist train on the Ramayana circuit will cover the prominent sacred places associated with the life of Lord Rama across the country and also connect India and Nepal. The spiritual tourism theme-based pilgrimage tour will also promote religious tourism in the country.

About the Yatra

The 17 nights/ 18 days yatra began its journey on June 21 from Safdarjung, Delhi, and was scheduled to visit various places such as Ayodhya, Nandigram, Janakpur, Sittamarhi, and more. The railways will also provide accommodation, and vegetarian food in rail restaurants and on the train while also ensuring the tourist’s security.

Destinations and visits covered

The train will cover the following destination Delhi - Ayodhya - Nandigram - Janakpur - Sittamarhi - Buxar- Varanasi - Prayagraj - Shringverpur - Chitrakut - Nasik - Hampi - Rameswaram - Kanchipuram - Bhadrachalam - Delhi. In Ayodhya, the train will visit Ram Janam Bhoomi Temple, Hanuman Garhi, and Saryu Ghat. In Nandigram, Bharat-Hanuman Temple, and Bharat Kund. Similarly, in Janakpur, Ram-Janki Mandir. The train will make a stoppage in Sitamarhi’s Janaki Mandir at Sitamarhi and Punaura Dham; in Buxar – Ram Rekha Ghat, Rameshwar Nath Temple.

In Varanasi, the tourists will be able to cover Tulsi Manas temple, Sankat Mochan temple, Vishwanath temple & Ganga Aarti; Prayagraj – Bharadwaj Ashram, Ganga-Yamuna Sangam, and Hanuman temple. Other destinations on the list are – Shringverpur – Shringi Rishi Samadhi and Shanta Devi Temple, Ram Chaura; Chitrakoot- Gupt Godavari, Ramghat, Sati Anusuiya temple; Nasik- Trimbakeshwar temple, Panchvati, Sitagufa, Kalaram temple;

Hampi – Anjanadri Hill, Virupaksha temple & Vitthal Temple; Rameswaram – Ramanathaswamy temple and Dhanushkodi; Kanchipuram- Vishnu Kanchi, Shiva Kanchi, and Kamakshi Amman temple; Bhadrachalam – Sri Sitaram Swami Temple, Anjani Swami Temple.