“Indian Railways launches a special train for Buddhist pilgrims” Latest Sri Lankan News-31.01.2010

The Indian Railways will launch its maiden special train covering the Buddhist circuit across the country, with a visit to Nepal also thrown in. It aims to cater to budget tourists from Sri Lanka and other Asian countries. It is a 14 day and 13 night all-paid package tour. Off-board services such as hotel accommodation, vegetarian meals, road transfers for sight-seeing, and assistance for visa formalities for foreign nationals are available. The tour will start from Chennai on the 22nd of next month. It will be a round trip. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation will be managing the operation. It has offered three rates for the budget tourists. Twin-sharing accommodation comes for Rs.23650 per person, while triple-sharing accommodation costs Rs.20600 and for hall or dormitory accommodation, the fare has been pegged at Rs.16650. Accommodation will be provided in budget hotels. The train provides sleeper class accommodation for 500 passengers on each trip along with a pantry car serving vegetarian food. The Indian Railway Catering Tourism Corporation assures escort and security on the train for the passengers. The pilgrims will get an opportunity to see 11 Buddhist sites starting with the paintings and sculptures in Ajanta and Ellora Caves. The other sites are: the massive Stupa at Sanchi; Sravasti, capital of the ancient Kingdom of the same name; the birth place of Gautam Buddha in Lumbini, Nepal; the Mahaparinirvana Temple in Kushinagar; Vaishali, where the Buddha preached his last sermon; the evocative ruins of Buddhist monasteries and temples of Nalanda; Rajgir, where Buddha preached two of his most famous sermons; Bodh Gaya where the Buddha attained enlightenment; Sarnath where he preached his first sermon; and the excavations of Nagarjunakonda.

Share and Enjoy: