Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Navratna Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has introduced a new tourism circuit titled ‘Divine East Temple Tour’ aboard its Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train. The 10-day rail-based journey has been curated to offer devotees and travellers an immersive pilgrimage and heritage experience across Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand.
The Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train will depart from Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station on March 9, 2026, and return on March 18, 2026. The itinerary covers key destinations including Varanasi, Kolkata, Gangasagar, Puri, Bhubaneswar, Konark, Chilika and Baidyanath Dham.
Major highlights of the tour include darshan at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Jyotirlinga) and the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, followed by a visit to Kolkata, featuring landmarks such as Victoria Memorial, Kali Ghat (Shakti Peeth) and Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir. A day excursion to the sacred shores of Gangasagar, including a holy dip at the Sagar Sangam and darshan at Kapil Muni Temple, forms a key spiritual highlight.
The journey continues to Puri for darshan at the revered Shri Jagannath Temple, along with a comprehensive Odisha circuit covering Bhubaneswar, Dhauli Shanti Stupa, Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Konark Sun Temple. The final destination is Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar), one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, before the train returns to Delhi.
IRCTC stated that the all-inclusive tour offers a balanced blend of religious and leisure tourism, aimed at providing passengers with a seamless, safe and enriching travel experience. The Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train is equipped with modern amenities, including well-appointed cabins in AC I, AC II and AC III categories, onboard restaurants serving hygienic vegetarian meals, enhanced safety and security features, and dedicated IRCTC tour managers.
The tour has been priced at Rs. 1,06,940 per person for AC I, Rs. 98,925 for AC II and Rs. 79,285 for AC III class. The package includes train travel, accommodation in air-conditioned hotels, vegetarian meals, transfers and sightseeing in AC vehicles, travel insurance, and tour management services.
