A Unified Spiritual Journey
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched the “Sapta Jyotirlinga Mahayatra” aboard its state-of-the-art Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train. This initiative under the 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' scheme aims to promote the country's
rich spiritual heritage by making pilgrimage more accessible and comfortable. The all-inclusive tour package is designed to handle all travel logistics, allowing pilgrims to focus entirely on their spiritual experience without the stress of coordinating multiple bookings for travel, accommodation, and meals across different states.
The Seven Sacred Stops
The circuit has been thoughtfully designed to cover seven of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are primarily located in Central and Western India. The journey includes darshan at Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Omkareshwar on the banks of the Narmada, Nageshwar near Dwarka, and the iconic Somnath temple in Gujarat. The route then proceeds to Maharashtra to cover Trimbakeshwar near Nashik, Bhimashankar near Pune, and finally, Grishneshwar in Aurangabad. The itinerary also includes visits to other significant sites like the Dwarkadhish Temple and the Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Life Onboard the Pilgrim Train
The Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train is a significant upgrade from conventional train travel, designed specifically for comfort on long-duration tours. The train can accommodate up to 150 passengers and offers multiple classes of travel, including AC I (Coupe and Cabin), AC II Tier, and AC III Tier, to suit different budgets. The package includes freshly prepared vegetarian meals throughout the journey, served in a dedicated pantry car. Security, housekeeping, and the services of a tour manager are all part of the onboard experience, ensuring a safe and pleasant journey for all passengers.
Planning Your Pilgrimage
The Sapta Jyotirlinga Mahayatra is structured as an 11-night, 12-day tour. The package cost is all-inclusive, covering the train journey, accommodation in hotels at the destinations, all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and local transportation by buses for sightseeing. Prices vary based on the chosen accommodation class, with triple-sharing in AC III Tier being the most economical option. For example, a recent tour starting from Delhi had prices beginning at approximately ₹88,810 per person for triple occupancy in the Comfort (AC III) category.
How to Book Your Journey
Booking a seat on this spiritual circuit is straightforward. All bookings for the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains are handled directly by IRCTC. Prospective pilgrims can visit the official IRCTC Tourism website to find information about upcoming tour dates, check availability, and make their reservations online. Tour dates are announced periodically, often originating from different cities like Delhi or Yog Nagri Rishikesh to cater to devotees from various parts of the country. It is advisable to book well in advance as these curated tours have limited seats and are often in high demand.
