Easing the Festival Travel Rush
August brings with it a series of festivals, most notably Onam, which leads to a significant surge in travel between states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. This annual rush often makes securing a return ticket a stressful experience for passengers.
Recognizing this, Southern Railway has proactively introduced a series of special trains. The primary goal is not just to add more services, but to specifically address the high demand for return journeys after the festival period, ensuring that travellers can get back to their homes and workplaces without hassle. These announcements are a welcome relief for many who need to plan their trips around this busy time.
Key Onam Festival Routes
To cater to the Onam festival rush, Southern Railway has announced several key services connecting major hubs. A significant route is between Mangaluru Central and Chennai Egmore, with weekly specials (Train No. 06126/06125) running every Monday from Mangaluru and every Tuesday from Chennai throughout August. Another crucial service connects Thiruvananthapuram Central and Tambaram (Train No. 06110/06109), running on Wednesdays from Thiruvananthapuram and Thursdays from Tambaram. Furthermore, bi-weekly specials will operate between Dr MGR Chennai Central and Kollam (Train No. 06117/06118). These trains will run on select days in August, providing multiple options for travellers. Additional services also link Mysuru with Kannur and Kannur with Bengaluru Cantonment for a limited run at the end of the month. It is important to note that advance reservations for these trains began in early July, so passengers are advised to book immediately.
Services for Velankanni Festival
Beyond Onam, August also sees travel for the annual Velankanni Feast. To accommodate devotees, the South Western Railway has announced special trains connecting Vasco Da Gama in Goa with Velankanni in Tamil Nadu (Train No. 07361/07362). These trains will run on August 27 and September 1 from Vasco Da Gama, with return services from Velankanni on August 29 and September 3. These routes pass through major cities like SSS Hubballi, SMVT Bengaluru, and Salem, offering connectivity for passengers from various locations. Central Railway has also announced services from Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Velankanni. These dedicated services are crucial for pilgrims who travel in large numbers every year.
Operational Changes and Extended Services
Travellers should also be aware of other operational changes. Due to redevelopment work at Chennai Egmore Railway Station, several express trains will temporarily terminate at or originate from Tambaram or Mambalam between August 5 and August 20, 2026. Affected services include the Uzhavan Express from Thanjavur and the Ananthapuri Superfast Express from Kollam, which will terminate at Tambaram. Additionally, Southern Railway has extended the services of eight other special trains to manage the general passenger rush, including routes like Chennai Egmore – Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli – Mettupalayam, with services running into early August. Passengers are strongly advised to check the latest schedules and termination points before planning their journey.
How to Book and Plan Your Trip
Booking for these special trains is available through the official IRCTC website, the IRCTC mobile app, and at passenger reservation system (PRS) counters at railway stations. Given that the headline feature of this schedule is return-sector availability, the smartest strategy is to book your round trip at the same time, if possible. Advance booking for most of these services opened in July and tickets are likely to sell out quickly due to the high demand during the festival season. Passengers should use the official channels for booking to avoid any issues. Always double-check train numbers, timings, and originating/terminating stations, especially with the temporary changes at Chennai Egmore.
