The Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Public Sector Undertaking, under the Ministry of Railways has introduced a `Maha Parinirvan' special train for the Buddhist Pilgrimage from India and abroad particularly from the South Asian countries to promote tourism. This special train will be flagged off from Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi on 6th October 2007.
The train covers the whole journey in eight days. The passengers will be taken to Gaya, Rajgir-Nalanda, Varanasi, Gorkhpur, Kushinagar, Lumbani in Nepal, Gonda, Agra and back to Delhi. The fare from October 2007 to March 2008 will be US$ 150, 105 and 88 for 1st AC, 2nd AC and 3rd AC respectively for per person per night on twin sharing basis. In other words, the total individual fair for seven days will be US$ 1050, 735 and 616 respectively.
Tariff includes all the comforts of Rajdhani Express Air Conditioned train, which includes train journey, onboard/off board catering, house keeping, road transfer by AC vehicles, sightseeing, Darshan, visit to holy places, hotel stay in AC rooms and entrance fee at monuments. Indian passengers can pay in equivalent Rupee (INR) amount, at the exchange rate prevalent at the time of payment.
Source: The Bihar Times , 5th Oct.,2007
