Buddhist Circuit train route changed from Chennai

New Delhi, Mar 11: Touted as a journey towards spiritual fulfillment, the Railways' special 'Mahaparinirvan Express' train will chug in on its inaugural journey on March 28, which has the added objective of promoting tourism through a package visit of Buddhist sites spread across the country.

Inspired by 'Palace on Wheels' but with a much attractive fare structure, the maiden run of the fully air-conditioned train will commence from Delhi's Safdarjung station on March 28 and will conclude its journey eight days later on April 4 at the originating station.

A top official of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) said the train was initially planned to commence its trip from Chennai on January 12 and its duration was to be of 14 days.

"However, the plan was shelved because tourists, especially those coming from abroad, were disinclined to embark on a nearly fortnight-long trip. Consequently, it was decided to change the route of the train as also its duration from 14 days to seven days,'' the official pointed out.

The train will cover Lumbini, Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Kushinagar, Nalanda, Shravasti and also the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, besides the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.

IRCTC has planned to run 11 trips during this year another six in 2008 up to March (depending on its reception) with each trip having duration of 8 days.

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

The fare structure for the announced trips is: First AC - 140 US dollars per person per day; II-AC - 98 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.

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

The official said luxury coaches of Rajdhani trains had been made available for 'Mahaparinirvan Express'', and these were being refurbished in consonance with the Buddhist theme.

Giving details, he said the train would commence its journey on March 28 at 2000 hrs from Delhi's Safdarjung station. It will reach Gaya in Bihar the next day and tourists will be taken to Bodh Gaya where Lord Buddha had attained enlightenment. On the third day, they will be taken by road to Rajgir and Nalanda for witnessing the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University.

From Nalanda, the travellers will be taken to Varanasi on the morning of the fourth day. The programme includes a dip in the Ganga and a visit to Baba Vishwanath temple and Sarnath. On the fifth day, they will be reaching Gorakhpur from where they will be taken to Kushinagar and Lord Buddha's birthplace Lumbini in Nepal.

Arrangements have been made for issuing visas to foreign tourists there.

From Lumbini, the passengers will come back to Gorakhpur before boarding the train for Gonda. On the seventh day, they will reach Sharavasti en route to Agra where a trip to the famous Taj Mahal has been planned. The same day, the train will leave for Safdarjung station in the evening.

The official said a wide variety of cuisine, including Indian and continental, would be made available to tourists, depending on their palates.

The next trips of the train have been scheduled for April 11, 30 and May 26. After that, the operation of the train will be suspended because of the rainy season. From September 22, it will resume its normal journey every fortnight.

"The revised schedule of Mahaparinirvan Express has generated tremendous interest among foreign tourists, and we are hopeful of making it a success story,'' the official said.

UNI