The 9-night, 10-day journey promises an immersive spiritual experience combined with comfortable travel (Photo: Media India Grouo
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched a new religious tourism initiative Sri Rameswaram Tirupati Dakshin Darshan Yatra, inviting devotees to experience some of South India’s most sacred and culturally rich destinations.
Operated under the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train initiative, the 9-night, 10-day journey promises an immersive spiritual experience combined with comfortable travel, affordable pricing and inclusive facilities.
Religious tourism package dates and destinations
The special train will commence its journey from Nashik in Maharashtra on November 7, and conclude on November 16. This pilgrimage package aims to provide travellers with a complete devotional experience while exploring revered temples and iconic landmarks across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
The journey commences with a visit to Tirupati, home to the renowned Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple and the Goddess Padmavati Temple, both spiritual epicentres attracting millions of devotees annually. From there, the train proceeds to Rameswaram, where travellers will visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the sacred town of Dhanushkodi, renowned for its mythological significance in the Ramayana.
The itinerary continues to Madurai, a city celebrated for its architectural grandeur and ancient history, where, visitors will explore the Meenakshi Amman Temple, an iconic symbol of Dravidian craftsmanship and a vibrant centre of Tamil culture. The next stop on the journey is Kanyakumari, India’s southernmost point, where the three seas the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean converge. Passengers will have the opportunity to visit major attractions, including the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Gandhi Mandapam and the Kanyakumari Temple, each representing spiritual and historical significance.
The final destination of the trip takes the devotees to Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, where pilgrims can visit the world-renowned Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the richest temple complexes in India, famed for its magnificent architecture and royal heritage. Visitors can also unwind at Kovalam Beach, known for its serene coastline and picturesque views that make for a peaceful conclusion to the spiritual journey.
Options of accommodation and cost
IRCTC has designed this package to be affordable and all-inclusive, covering transport, lodging, vegetarian meals, and local sightseeing through AC or non-AC buses. Accommodation will be arranged in budget hotels with both AC and non-AC room options for the comfort of travellers. Wash and change facilities will be available at designated locations along the route. The pricing of the package depends on the travel class chosen, with a charge of INR18,040 for Sleeper Class, INR 30,370 for 3AC, and INR 40,240 for 2AC for adults. For children aged 5–11 years, the charges are INR 16,890 Sleeper, INR 29,010 3AC, and INR 38,610 2AC.
In another significant step towards enhancing passenger convenience, Indian Railways is also set to introduce a no-cancellation fee ticket rescheduling option, a move that will allow passengers to change the date of travel on confirmed tickets without paying cancellation charges. Travellers will only need to pay the difference in fare, if applicable. This initiative is expected to make train travel more flexible and budget-friendly, especially for passengers making last-minute itinerary changes.
Travellers have welcomed the announcement of this circuit which highlights southern India’s rich heritage and culture.
“These yatra packages are really beneficial. Earlier, many people wanted to visit places like Rameswaram and Tirupati but could not manage the travel or expenses. Now everything is arranged train, stay, food so even elderly parents can go without much trouble,” Sanwar Nath, a 27-year-old teacher in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, tells Media India Group.
“It also helps the local people in those temple towns as hotels, shops, small vendors, everyone earns something. More than that, it keeps our culture and devotion alive among the younger generation. It feels nice to see so many families travelling together for darshan,” he adds.
“Religious tourism packages like the Sri Rameswaram–Tirupati Dakshin Darshan Yatra truly help promote South India’s cultural and spiritual heritage. These packages encourage people to visit famous temples such as Rameswaram and Tirupati, where they can learn about the region’s traditions, rituals, and history of these temples and they will understand why these temples are so famous. By visiting these sacred places, devotees not only strengthen their faith but also gain a deeper understanding of South India’s art and architecture,” Adithya a 25-year-old, biochemistry student from Kozhikode in Kerala, tells Media India Group.