30 holy sites, 17 days, 1 train: IRCTC’s ‘Ramayana Yatra’ returns July 25; details inside

New Delhi: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is preparing to commence the fifth edition of its special Ramayana-themed rail journey, the “Shri Ramayana Yatra,” on July 25, 2025. The 17-day religious tour is set to visit more than 30 destinations closely associated with the life and journey of Lord Ram.

The train will depart from Delhi's Safdarjung Railway Station and travel across various states, including stops in Ayodhya, Nandigram, Sitamarhi, Janakpur, Buxar, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Nashik, Hampi, and the final southern destination, Rameswaram, before returning to the capital.

The tour's rising popularity follows the inauguration of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22 last year. Since then, IRCTC has noted a steady increase in interest from pilgrims seeking spiritual and cultural experiences.

“Since the inauguration, this is the 5th Ramayan tour which we are holding and all our previous tours received encouraging response from the travellers and pilgrims,” an IRCTC official said.

Ticket prices and facilities

The tour will cost ₹1,17,975 per person for 3 AC, ₹1,40,120 per person for 2 AC and ₹1,66,380 for 1 AC class cabin and ₹1,79,515 for 1 AC coupe.

The package includes rail travel, hotel stays in 3-star category hotels, all vegetarian meals, transfers and sightseeing in air-conditioned coaches, travel insurance, and the support of IRCTC tour managers.

Train and route details

The journey will be conducted on the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train, which features modern amenities. Passengers can board or alight at several key stations such as Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Tundla, Etawah, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Gwalior, Mathura, Agra Cantt, and Safdarjung.

It will take passengers through cities such as Ayodhya, Buxar, Nandigram, Sitamarhi, Janakpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Shringverpur, Chitrakoot, Hampi, Nasik, Rameshwaram, Bhadrachalam, and Kanchipuram.

Destinations and sites covered

Ayodhya: Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Sarayu Ghat, Hanuman Garhi

Nandigram: Bharatkund, Bharat-Hanuman Temple

Janakpur: Ram Janaki Temple, Parshuram Kunda, Dhanush Dham

Sitamarhi: Punaura Dham, Janaki Temple

Buxar: Rameshwar Nath Temple, Ramrekha Ghat

Varanasi: Tulsi Manas Temple, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan Mandir, Ganga Aarti

Prayagraj: Sri Bharadwaj Ashram, Hanuman Temple, Ganga-Yamuna Sangam

Shringverpur: Shringi Rishi Ashram, Shanta Devi Temple, Ramchaura

Chitrakoot: Sati Anusuya Temple, Gupt Godavari

Nashik: Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Shree Kalaram Temple, Panchavati, Sita Gufa

Hampi: Anjanadri Hill, Vittala Temple, Virupaksha Temple

Rameswaram: Dhanushkodi, Ramanathaswamy Temple

Bhadrachalam: Sri Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple, Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple

The itinerary is carefully curated to take devotees on a journey through key locations tied to the Ramayana, offering them an opportunity to connect spiritually while exploring India’s deep-rooted cultural legacy.

(with inputs from PTI)