Bengaluru: Devotees travelling to Sabarimala from Karnataka will have more options this season, as South Western Railway has announced 14 special express services between Hubballi and Kollam Junction in Kerala via Bengaluru.

The Hubballi–Kollam express special will operate on Sundays from September 28 to December 28, departing Hubballi at 3.15 pm and reaching Kollam at 12.55 pm the following day. The return service, Kollam–Hubballi express special, will run on Mondays from September 29 to December 29, leaving Kollam at 5 pm and arriving at Hubballi at 6.30 pm the next day.

The train will run with 22 coaches, comprising one AC 2-tier, two AC 3-tier, 12 sleeper, and five general compartments. Key stops en route include Haveri, Davangere, Birur, Arsikere, Tumakuru, SMVT Bengaluru, and Krishnarajapuram. Pilgrims heading to Sabarimala can conveniently alight at Chengannur, the closest railway station to the shrine, railway officials said.