Southern Railways has announced that the Chennai – Madurai – Chennai Vaigai Expresses (Train No. 12635 / 12636) will temporarily stop for one minute at Srirangam from December 18 to 22 in connection with the Vaikunta Ekadashi festival. This can be seen as another step by the Indian Railways for promoting the Hindu pilgrimage in India.
The Chennai Egmore – Madurai Vaigai Express will arrive at Srirangam at 5.59 p.m. and leave at 6 p.m. and while returning, the train will reach Srirangam at 9.17 a.m. and leave at 9.18 a.m. Meanwhile, it has been announced that the Mayiladuthurai – Kumbakonam – Mayiladuthurai passenger specials (Train No. 06819 / 06820) will continue to run from December 24 to March 23.
A huge number of devotees come to visit Sri Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam to attend the opening ceremony of Paramapatha Vaasal which takes place during Vaikunta Ekadashi festival. Vaikunta Ekadashi is an important festival for the Vaishnava (devotees of Lord Vishnu). The Vaishnavas believe that Vaikunta Dwaram (Gates of the heaven) opens on this particular day. Similarly, the Shaivas (worshippers of Lord Shiva) observe this day as Trikoti Ekadashi. According to Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikunta Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on the entire remaining 23 Ekadashis of the Hindu calendar.
Indian Railways has shown a steadfast resolve and has made it a mission to preserve, protect and conserve the places and pilgrimages of Hindu religion. In order to connect the sites associated with Bhagwan Ram’s journey during Vanvaas, Indian Railways launched the ‘Ramayana Express’. The first train was launched on November 14. The train runs between Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama and ends at Rameshwaram, along with the route Lord Rama took towards Lanka. The great response to the first Ramayana Express has given a fillip to launch more such trains on Ramayana tourist circuit. The average occupancy for normal tourist trains is 50-60 percent but the seats for the inaugural ride of the Ramayana Express on November 14 were sold within 15 days after the ride was announced on July 7.
During the auspicious occasion of Navratri, the Indian Railways took special care of the fasting passengers. The Railways introduced ‘Vrat ki Thali’ which the passengers could avail from the Railways’ catering website. These gestures from Indian Railways prove that it cares for millions of Hindus fasting during the Navratra and took special care to address their needs.
Railways mission to connect Hindu pilgrim sites with major towns in order to make these places more accessible to the devotees resulted in the launch of the weekly train between Agartala and Deoghar. The new train would help thousands of devotees visiting Anukulchandra’s shrine. The train is proposed to be named Satsang Express.
'मानवता की अमूर्त सांस्कृतिक धरोहर' कुंभ की महत्वता ध्यान में रखते हुए रेलवे ने कुम्भ स्पेशल कोच तैयार किए हैं, यह कोच प्रयागराज एक्सप्रेस से संगम नगरी जाने वाले श्रद्धालुओं को एक सम्पूर्ण सांस्कृतिक अनुभव देंगे, आइए देखें इसकी ख़ूबियाँ: pic.twitter.com/cMoPvIW2AJ
— Piyush Goyal (मोदी का परिवार) (@PiyushGoyal) October 8, 2018
Moreover, Prayagraj is all set to host the Kumbh Mela starting in the month of January next year. Again, showing its good gesture towards the devotees, the Indian Railways is set to go to the extra mile to accommodate the pilgrims visiting the Kumbh Mela. According to Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal, the Indian Railways has introduced new Kumbh special coaches which will be designed to emphasize the cultural, historical and religious importance of the Kumbh Mela. The Indian Railways has taken care of the Hindu sentiments and has put efforts to uphold the Hindu Dharma. Under Piyush Goyal’s leadership, the Hindu pilgrimage has got a huge boost.