The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on Friday announced the launch of a special Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train titled “Temple Trails of Dakshin”. The train offers passengers a unique spiritual journey across South India. The train will depart from Manmad, Maharashtra, on February 18, 2026. The train marked the first such comprehensive pilgrimage circuit originating from the region.
As per IRCTC, the train offers a 12-night, 13-day all-inclusive tour. The initiative aims to provide pilgrims and heritage enthusiasts from Maharashtra and neighbouring states a seamless travel experience to some of South India’s most revered religious and cultural destinations.
According to Gaurav Jha, group general manager, IRCTC West Zone, Mumbai, the composite AC and non-AC Bharat Gaurav train will cover iconic spiritual sites, including Murudeshwar, Guruvayur, Rameswaram, Madurai, Kanniyakumari, Trivandrum, Tiruchirappalli, Kanchipuram, and Mahabalipuram.
The highlights of the tour include Murudeshwara Shiva Temple, Guruvayur Temple, Meenakshi Amman Temple, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, and the UNESCO-listed Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram.
Boarding at various stations
Passengers can board and disembark at Manmad, Nashik, Kalyan, Lonavala, Pune, Satara, and Miraj, ensuring wider accessibility. The train can accommodate up to 750 passengers and offers three travel classes.
- Economy Sleeper (SL)
- 3AC
- Comfort 2AC
The all-inclusive package will cover train travel, accommodation in budget hotels on a sharing basis, all-vegetarian meals, AC and non-AC local transfers and sightseeing, travel insurance, and the services of dedicated IRCTC tour managers.
Officials from the IRCTC West Zone further stated that special emphasis has been placed on health, safety, and passenger convenience, with all necessary precautions being implemented throughout the journey.
Tour price
The tour is priced at Rs 23,370 for sleeper class, Rs 36,990 for 3AC, and Rs 48,760 for 2AC. Bookings are open on a first-come, first-served basis through IRCTC’s tourism portal.
With this initiative, IRCTC continues to strengthen India’s spiritual tourism ecosystem while enhancing regional connectivity, offering devotees a comfortable and curated way to explore the spiritual and cultural soul of India.