Buddhist Circuit train to commence journey from Chennai on Jan 12

New Delhi, Dec 22 (UNI) Touted as a journey towards spiritual fulfilment, the Railways is launching a special 'Mahaparinirvan Express' train, starting from Chennai on January 12, which has the added objective of promoting tourism through a package visit of Buddhist sites spread across the country.

This was announced here today by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a public sector undertaking of the Railway Ministry.

Patterned on 'Palace on Wheels' but with a much attractive fare structure, the maiden run of the train, commencing from Chennai on January 12, will end on January 26 at the originating station.

The train will pass through Guntur, Aurangabad, Bhopal, Agra, Delhi, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Gaya, Bhubaneshwar and back to Chennai in exactly a fortnight.

The tour will cover almost all important locations of Buddhist pilgrims, including one in Nepal (Lumbini).

The sources said the train formation would comprise 'Rajdhani' accommodation -- 18 berths of Ist AC, 92 berths of 2-tier AC and 256 berths of 3-tier AC.

The fare structure for the announced trips is: Ist AC - 120 US dollars per person per day; II-AC - 90 dollars per person per day; and III AC - 80 dollar per person per day.

The services included in the package are train journey in comfort of Rajdhani Express, onboard/offboard catering, house keeping, road transfer by luxury coaches, sightseeing, visit to holy places, hotel accommodation, all meals, entry tickets and guides.

The commencement of first seven trips are scheduled on January 12, 28, February 13, March 4, 25, April 24th and May 24.

The sources said the dates for further trips would be annolunced later.

Indians can also travel by this special train by paying equal amount of fare in Indian currency. The Tourists can also avail part journey of minimum seven days, but the same has to be in continuity and no break journey during this period will be permitted.

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