n a monumental move ahead of the much-anticipated Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya, the Indian Railways has announced the introduction of 200 ‘Aastha Special Trains’ to facilitate pilgrims from Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. The commencement of these trains is set to take place after the auspicious Pran Prathistha ceremony on January 22, marking a significant step in the preparations for the mega event.
These ‘Aastha Special Trains’ are designed to establish connectivity between Ayodhya and key states such as Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Delhi. The railway network is expected to operate for 100 days post the Ram Mandir ceremony, providing pilgrims with convenient travel options.
The routes are strategically planned to connect Tier 1 and Tier 2 towns, ensuring seamless travel for devotees. Moreover, Indian Railways is gearing up to extend similar routes from each state, with upcoming connections anticipated from the North-East, likely originating from Guwahati, Assam.
To streamline the reservation process, the circular released by Indian Railways states that reservations for these special trains can exclusively be made through the IRCTC app or website. Onboard catering services will exclusively offer vegetarian meals, aligning with the sanctity of the pilgrimage.
In addition to the railway initiatives, several prominent airlines have also announced direct flights to Ayodhya, further enhancing the accessibility to the sacred city. This strategic move by the airlines aims to accommodate the surge in travel demand expected around the time of the Ram Mandir inauguration.
The circular also highlighted the symbolic gesture by Indian Railways to adorn and illuminate 343 stations across the country named after Lord Ram. This initiative is part of the grand preparations for the mega Pran Prathistha ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla at the newly constructed Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.
Among the states, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu lead with the highest number of stations bearing Lord Ram’s name, boasting 55 and 54 stations, respectively. Bihar follows closely as the state with the third-highest count of stations named after the revered deity.
The week-long rituals for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony commenced on Tuesday, building up to the significant event on January 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to preside over the ceremonial installation of Ram Lalla, and the temple will open for public ‘darshan’ starting January 23.
As the nation witnesses these unprecedented developments, the convenient accessibility through both flights and trains to Ayodhya reflects a significant stride in making the pilgrimage more accessible and accommodating for devotees from across the country. The convergence of railway and airline services is poised to ease the travel experience, allowing pilgrims to partake in the historic moment with utmost convenience.
