Jammu: In a significant move to facilitate seamless religious tourism, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced the launch of the first-ever ‘Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train’ connecting Jammu directly to major spiritual centres in South India. The special train will commence its inaugural journey on November 14, 2026.
Designed specifically to provide a hassle-free and organised travel experience for devotees from the Jammu region, the comprehensive tour will span 13 days and 12 nights. The same dedicated train will remain with the passengers throughout the entire circuit, eliminating the need to switch trains or manage separate transit bookings. The journey will conclude with the train returning to the Jammu station on November 26.
Key Destinations Covered The itinerary focuses on five highly revered pilgrimage sites across southern India:
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Tirupati
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Rameswaram
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Madurai
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Kanyakumari
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Mallikarjuna (Markapur)
Package Categories and Pricing To cater to varying budgets and preferences, IRCTC has structured the travel experience into three distinct tiers. While the exact final pricing for all tiers is available on the IRCTC portal, the top-tier estimate has been released:
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Comfort Category (Approx. ₹56,000 per person): Includes 2nd AC train travel, accommodation in AC hotels, and air-conditioned vehicles for all local sightseeing.
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Standard Category: Offers 3rd AC train travel and AC hotel stays (with non-AC arrangements for temporary wash-and-change halts). Local sightseeing will be conducted via non-AC transport.
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Economy Category: Designed for budget-conscious pilgrims, offering Sleeper Class train travel alongside basic accommodation and transport arrangements.
Addressing the media about the new initiative, IRCTC Joint General Manager (Tourism) Harshdeep highlighted the importance of bridging the geographical gap for northern pilgrims. “This is the first time such a special train is being introduced from Jammu to South India. We hope that devotees who have long harboured the desire to visit these distant shrines will immensely benefit from this organised package,” he stated.
The initiative has already generated significant interest among locals. Harshdeep confirmed a strong initial response, noting that approximately 150 seats have already been booked from the Jammu region. Urging interested travellers to finalise their plans promptly, he added, “We expect the train to reach full capacity very soon. Bookings are strictly operating on a first-come, first-served basis.”