After a successfully launching two dedicated tourist trains from Bangalore and Puducherry recently, the Indian Railway and Tourism Corporation plans to operate a further three ‘pilgrim special tourist trains’ before the end of the year.
The Indian railway minister said the trains would depart from Madurai to pilgrimage sites such as Mahakaleshwar Omkareshwar and Somnath, while a second itinerary would make stops at Shirdi, Pandharpur and Mantralayam among others.
A third journey would call at Christian, Muslim and Hindu pilgrim centres.
"Tourists can also have the comfort of travelling light as all their luggage can be left under the secured coaches when they go out for bus travel and stay at hotels," said Indian Railway and Tourism Corporation general manager L. Ravikumar.
The three itineraries would last for between 7-11 days and depart in November and December.
