The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced the launch of its latest pilgrimage tourism initiative, the Sapta Jyotirlinga Mahayatra, offering devotees an opportunity to visit seven of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva through a specially curated 11-day journey aboard the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train. The tour is scheduled to begin from Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station on September 25, 2026, providing pilgrims with a comfortable and spiritually enriching travel experience.
Designed under the Bharat Gaurav tourism initiative of the Ministry of Railways, the new circuit combines religious significance with modern travel comforts, allowing passengers to explore some of India’s most revered temples and heritage destinations across Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
A Spiritual Journey Across India’s Sacred Jyotirlingas
The Sapta Jyotirlinga Mahayatra has been carefully planned to connect devotees with seven important Jyotirlinga shrines. Alongside these sacred temples, the itinerary also includes visits to renowned religious and historical landmarks associated with Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, and India’s rich cultural heritage.
The pilgrimage begins in Ujjain, one of India’s holiest cities, where travelers will seek blessings at the famous Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, located on the banks of the sacred Shipra River. Pilgrims will spend the night in Ujjain before continuing to Omkareshwar, situated on an island in the Narmada River near Khandwa. The Omkareshwar temple is considered one of the most spiritually significant Shiva shrines in the country.
Following the Madhya Pradesh leg, the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train will head towards Gujarat for the next phase of the pilgrimage.
Dwarka and Somnath Highlight Gujarat Circuit
One of the major attractions of the itinerary is a visit to Dwarkadhish Temple, one of the four sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Pilgrims will also visit the Rukmini Devi Temple, which commemorates the divine bond between Lord Krishna and Goddess Rukmini. The Gujarat tour further includes darshan at the revered Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, followed by an excursion to Beyt Dwarka, an island closely associated with Lord Krishna’s life.
The spiritual journey continues to Somnath, home to the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas according to Hindu tradition. Apart from offering prayers at the iconic Somnath Temple, travelers will also visit Somnath Beach and Bhalka Tirth, the place believed to be where Lord Krishna departed from the earthly world.
Maharashtra Leg Blends Devotion and Heritage
The Maharashtra segment of the Mahayatra covers three major pilgrimage destinations.
The train will first reach the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga near Pune, nestled amidst scenic hills. The tour then proceeds to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where passengers will visit the world-famous Kailash Temple at Ellora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its remarkable rock-cut architecture.
Nearby lies the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, another significant shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and an integral part of the pilgrimage circuit.
The final destination is Nashik, where devotees will offer prayers at the sacred Trymbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, located near the origin of the Godavari River. The itinerary also includes a visit to Panchvati, believed to be the place where Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lakshmana spent part of their exile as described in the Ramayana.
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After completing the pilgrimage, the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train will return to Delhi, concluding the 11-day spiritual expedition.
Comfortable Travel with Premium Facilities
IRCTC has designed the journey to provide maximum comfort alongside religious exploration. Unlike conventional pilgrimage tours, the itinerary includes overnight hotel stays at selected destinations, reducing continuous overnight travel on the train.
The Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train is equipped with modern amenities, including well-furnished cabins in AC III, AC II, and AC I classes, onboard restaurants serving hygienic vegetarian meals, enhanced security systems, and dedicated IRCTC tour managers to assist passengers throughout the journey.
The package also includes accommodation in three-star hotels, air-conditioned road transportation for sightseeing and local transfers, vegetarian meals, accidental travel insurance, and guided tour management services.
Pricing and Booking Details
The tour package has been introduced with subsidised pricing under the Bharat Gaurav Train Scheme. The fare starts at ₹90,930 per person for AC III Tier, while AC II Tier accommodation is priced at ₹1,09,925, and AC I Class is available at ₹1,19,425 per person on twin-sharing basis.
According to IRCTC, the fare already incorporates an approximately 33 percent concession being provided by Indian Railways to promote rail-based tourism under the Bharat Gaurav initiative.
Bookings for the Sapta Jyotirlinga Mahayatra are now open through IRCTC’s tourism portal and authorised tourism offices across India. With a carefully curated itinerary combining spirituality, heritage, and modern hospitality, the latest Bharat Gaurav pilgrimage aims to provide devotees with a memorable and hassle-free journey to some of India’s most sacred destinations.
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