Mumbai-Bound Trains Have Fascinating History: Names, Route, The Heritage On Wheels | Explained

In India’s financial capital, trains are more than just a lifeline for millions. Among its various long-distance trains, the Pushpak Express and the Godan Express stand out not only for the journeys they undertake, but also for the evocative names they carry.

The two trains, connecting Mumbai to Uttar Pradesh, have their origins steeped in cultural and literary heritage, reflecting India’s blend of mythology and literature.

Pushpak Express

Train Number: 12533/12534

Origins: An interesting fact about this train is that its name is derived from ‘Pushpaka Viman’, the legendary flying chariot from the epic Ramayana. It is said that the celestial vehicle was possessed by Ravana and was later used by Lord Ram to return to Ayodhya.

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The train marked its inaugural run on April 1, 1987 and connects Mumbai with Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. It covers a total distance of more than 1,400 kms.

Since its introduction in the late 1980s, the Pushpak Express quickly became popular among travelers for its daily service and relatively fast schedule. It embodies the spirit of connecting commerce and culture across multiple cities.

Recently, the Northern Railway announced a change for the terminal of the train. It now connects the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai to Gomti Nagar station in Lucknow. Prior to this, the train used to travel till Lucknow Junction.

Here’s the revised schedule for Pushpak Express, effective from January 26, 2026:

Train no. 12533: Departs from Gomti Nagar at 20:45 and arrives at CSMT at 22:45 (nearly 26-hour journey)

Train no. 12534: Departs from CSMT at 08:25 abd arrives at 08:00 in Gomati Bagar the next day.

During its over a day long journey, the train has multiple stoppages at Kalyan Jn, Igatpuri, Nashik Road, Manmad Jn, Bhusaval Jn, Khandwa Jn, Itarsi Jn, Rani Kamalapati, Bhopal Jn, Lalitpur Jn, VGL Jhansi Jn, Orai, Kanpur Ctrl, Unnao Jn, Aishbagh Jn and Badshahnagar.

Godan Express

Train Number: 11055/11056

The train marked its inuguaral journey on December 23, 2001. It connects Mumbai with Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. It covers a total distance of more than 1,700 kms.

The train runs between the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai to the Gorakhpur Junction, a prominent city of Uttar Pradesh.

Its name is a tribute to the legendary novel, Godaan.