NEW DELHI, Sept 28: With the festival season in full swing, travelers are eagerly booking train tickets to their hometowns and desired destinations. However, many face the challenge of finding suitable train options for their journeys. In a bid to ensure a comfortable travel experience, the Indian Railways has introduced special train services originating from Uttar Pradesh. These special trains are specifically aimed at passengers planning a pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir during the Navratri festival.
To alleviate congestion and facilitate the convenience of railway passengers, the Northern Railway has decided to launch a special train service that will operate between Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra.
The special train, numbered 01654 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi – Varanasi Special, will depart from Katra at 11:20 pm every Sunday and arrive at Varanasi at 11:55 pm the following day. The service is scheduled to run from October 22 to November 26, 2023. For the return journey, train number 01653 Varanasi – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Special will depart from Varanasi at 06:20 am every Tuesday, reaching its destination at 11:20 am the next day.
Comprising air-conditioned, sleeper, and general-class coaches, this special train will make stops at Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Jalandhar Cantt, Pathankot Cantt, Jammu Tawi, and Uthampur stations in both directions, catering to the diverse needs of passengers heading to Mata Vaishno Devi for their spiritual journey.
