Ganesh Chaturthi special trains: Indian Railways to run 392 services from Aug 21

New Delhi: The Indian Railways announced on Wednesday that it will run 392 special train trips during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival to help manage increased passenger traffic and ease congestion. The special services will operate from August 21 to September 10, according to a post on the railways’ official X account.

Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins this year on August 27 and concludes on Anantha Chaturdashi, is also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi. The festival celebrates Lord Ganesha, the god of new beginnings and remover of obstacles. Devotees all over India and abroad mark the occasion with decorated homes and pandals, prayers, music, and vibrant processions.

Earlier, the Maharashtra government officially declared the public Ganeshotsav as the "Maharashtra State Festival" earlier this July. Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar announced the decision in the Legislative Assembly, highlighting that the tradition of public Ganeshotsav in Maharashtra dates back to 1893, when it was started by Lokmanya Tilak.

Shelar emphasised the festival’s deep roots in social unity, national pride, freedom struggle, self-respect, and linguistic identity. He stated that the Maharashtra government remains dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural importance and global recognition of Ganeshotsav.

Addressing recent legal challenges to the traditional public celebrations of Ganeshotsav, Shelar praised the swift action taken by the Mahayuti government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Dada Pawar, to overcome obstacles and uphold the festival’s public observance.

With inputs from ANI