New Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train unveiled; IRCTC puts forward new offers
Indian railway has unveiled a new version of the Buddhist Circuit Tourist train, which is a deluxe train with mini library, kitchen with state of theart appliances and stylish bathrooms. The Chairman of the Railway Board, Ashwani Lohani, flagged off the train. The railway service would connect the various sites associated with Buddhism: Bodh Gaya, Rajgir (Nalanda), Varanasi (Sarnath), Lumbini, Kushinagar, Sravasti and wouldend with a tour of the TajMahal.
The Buddhist train tour package has been operating for the past 10 years with the conventional Rajdhani coaches. The package which is provided by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation was in need of a new train with improved features in order to boost the tourist activities and subsequent improvement in the revenue.
Moreover, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. has also launched a promotional offer for tourists, both Indian and foreign on the Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train.
The offer provides a concession of 50% for one ticket when 2 persons book their trip.
The offer would be valid for Indian citizens on the departures on the following dates:
24th November, 8th December,5th January 2019,19th January 2019, 02nd February 2019, 16th February 2019, 02nd March 2019 and 23rd March 2019.
It would be available for the foreign nationals on the departures on the following dates: 24thNovember 2018, 8 December 2018, 5 January 2019 and 19 January 2019.
The offer would be valid till the date of departure and is subject to availability of berth.
Manufactured in the Rail Coach Factory at Kapurthala, the new deluxe train comprises of 12 state of the art LHB coaches which include 4 first class AC coaches, 2 second AC coaches, 1 kitchen car, 2 Dinning Cars, 1 staff car and 2 power cars. The first AC coaches would have fitted in room amenities like individual lockers inside fixed ladders for tourists besides comfortable spacious cabins and coupes. The other coach amenities include bathrooms on either sides for showers with geysers and urinals in each lavatory.
The second coaches have undergone a total design change with the side berths replaced with single seater sofa for a panoramic view during journey. A mini library and foot massager with sofa has also been provided. Besides passenger coaches, the new train also boasts of a full-fledged LHB kitchen car for the first time on the Indian Railways equipped with latest kitchen equipment like hot plates, ice cube making machines, integrated exhaust system, chest freezer, deep freezer and refrigerator for the tourists.
There are two dining cars in the train which are aesthetically pleasing and with a seating capacity of 64 each. The two dinning cars of different color themes have Venetian Blinds Windows, which are completely automatic. Equipment used in five star hotels like hot plate dispenser, microwave oven, coffee machine, bottle chiller, dish wash machine etc. are also provided.
The entire train is under surveillance with CCTV cameras and Very Early Smoke Detection Alarm System has also been installed to ensure the safety and security of the tourists. The train also has a unique vinyl wrap promoting Incredible India by depicting all the World Heritage Sites in India, Indian wildlife, Indian dance forms, yoga postures and Indian vegetation.
In the MahaparinirvanaStura, Lord Buddha tells his followers that they can attain merit and a noble rebirth by going on pilgrimage to the places where he was born (Lumbini), gained enlightenment (Bodhgaya), where he first taught (Sarnath), and attained Nirvana (Kushinagar). Contributing to the religious fulfillment of Buddhists and recognizing the great spirituality of Lord Buddha, the Indian railway operates this special Buddha train, which commutes tourists and pilgrims to these holy places helping them feel and experience the life of Lord Buddha.
India, the country where Buddha was born and Buddhism originated has rich traditions of Buddhist legacy. As part of its drive towards austerity,the only kind of art and architecture that this tradition encouraged were Stupas (stone cased hemispherical structures that commemorate the relics of Buddha), Chatiyas (prayer halls) and Viharas (cells for the monks). The Buddhist Train will help one visit all these places, helping them to experience the transcendental presence of Lord Buddha.
For more Information, please visit: https://www.irctcbuddhisttrain.com.
