Varanasi, Feb 17: For the first time, the Indian Railways has reserved a seat for a deity on a train. The national transporter, which launched its third IRCTC operated train named Kashi Mahakal Express from Varanasi to Indore, has reserved a seat for Lord Mahakal (Lord Shiva) on board.
Speaking to media, Northern Railway spokesperson Deepak Kumar said: "It is for the first time that a seat has been left reserved for a deity."
"One seat in Kashi Mahakal Express (seat number 64 in B5 coach) has been left reserved for Lord Shiva," he said.
"Even a temple has been drawn on the seat to make people aware that the seat is reserved for Lord Mahakal," he said.
IRCTC's Director, Tourism, Rajni Hasija said that the practice would continue beyond the inaugural run.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Kashi Mahakal Express via video conferencing from Varanasi, where he is all launched several projects worth Rs 1,250 crore during the day's visit to his parliamentary constituency.
The third IRCTC train, after the two Tejas Express trains on New Delhi-Lucknow and Mumbai-Ahmedabad routes, the Kashi Mahakal Express will connect three places -- Jyotirlinga-Omkareshwar (near Indore), Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain) and Kashi Vishwanath (at Varanasi).
Also connecting the industrial and educational hub of Indore, with Bhopal, the train will begin its commercial run from February 20.
"The Kashi Mahakal Express will operate three days in a week and it will be a bi-weekly service through the Sultanpur-Lucknow route and a weekly service via the Prayagraj route," Kumar said.
Elaborating on the two routes from which the train will pass every week, Hasija said: "Once the new train starts its regular run from this week, it will depart from Varanasi at 2.45 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday to reach Indore at 9.40 a.m. on Wednesday and Friday.
Similarly, the train will start from Indore at 10.55 a.m. every Wednesday and Friday and will reach Varanasi at 6.00 a.m. the next day. This train will have stoppages at Ujjain, Sant Hirdaram Nagar, Bina, Jhansi, Kanpur and Sultanpur stations in both directions.
Meanwhile, in the weekly service via Prayagraj route, the Kashi Mahakal Express will depart from Varanasi at 3.15 p.m. every Sunday to reach Indore at 9.40 a.m. the next day. On the other way, it will depart from Indore at 10.55 a.m. every Monday and reach Varanasi at 5 a.m. the next day.
"This train will halt at Ujjain, Sant Hirdaram Nagar, Bina, Jhansi, Kanpur and Allahabad stations in both directions," Kumar said.
Explaining the fares of the Kashi Mahakal Express, Hasija said, "Kashi Mahakal Express will follow a dynamic fare structure like the other two Tejas Express trains."
One-way journey from Varnasi to Indore will cost Rs 1,951, inclusive of four meals.
According to the IRCTC officials, the Indore-Varanasi Kashi Mahakal Express will be the first private train that will run overnight and for a comfortable long distance journey, will feature a host of facilities. The IRCTC will serve vegetarian food, and provide housekeeping services, on-board security services and bedrolls.
The IRCTC officials said that passengers will also get complementary insurance of Rs 10 lakh.
The train will have an advance reservation period of 120 days and will only have the general and foreign tourist quotas. The current booking will be available to the passengers on the platform itself after preparation of first chart, four hours to five minutes before the scheduled departure of the train.
To facilitate travel for pilgrims, the IRCTC is also introducing special tour packages for passengers who want to see the pilgrim centres enroute. The tour options are; Mahakal Darshan (Ujjain - Omkareshwar), Bhopal-Sanchi-Bhimbetka, Malwa Jyotrilinga Darshan (Ujjain-Omkareshwar- Maheshwar- Indore) and Bhopal-Sanchi-Bhimbetka-Ujjain. Other tour options include Kashi, Ayodhya and Prayag; Kashi Darshan; Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya; Kashi and Prayag and only Kashi.
The train has silent features like CCTV cameras, which will be monitored online around the clock from the IRCTC centres, whereas for the first time the IRCTC has brought the marshals in the train for passengers safety and also to make people aware to not smoke inside the train as it has smoke and heat sensors installed in the coaches as well as in the bathroom. For the blind passengers, the train coaches have the seat numbers written in Braille, and the catering staff will be dressed in yellow kurta-pyjamas with a rudraksh malas on their necks to promote the train's theme.
Comments
Mr. Udbhav,
Please mind your own business, we are demanding a flag for whole state not for any extremist group like shivasene.
Religion, : Everyone should know clearly about the basic of religion.
1)What is religion,
2)Why is it required.
3) What will happen if not followed it.
1) The religion is not invention of mankind. It is set of instructions prescribed by the creator of this universe.
2) It is required how to lead the entire in this world. Also to succeed in other part of the life which is after the death.
3) If not followed, the God should say clearly what is the consequence of violating its teaching.
It is mostly believed by most of the religious people.
the question is which is the right religion.
People might think is there another life after this life. Yes definitely there is. If not why the God has created this world. He has not created for his fun. there is a strong reason, the people will understand if they really read and understand Quran.
Therefore I strongly believe, no need to make new religion.
Also there can not be more than 1religion. Because all of us believe without any dispute there is only 1God. Then how is it possible to have more than 1religion. This is common sense. But people should have patience, wisdom to find the truth.
study some existing religions.
All of them are not true for the reasons above.
Choose the religion, which is the right religion.
Dare to know and follow it. This is your right.
Please dont react Chaddi Naren...Let him do bla, blaaa, blaaaa...when there is no reaction one day he will stop....wuffff....
Modiji thoda yahan bhi dhyan dijiyoo.... instead of giving attention towards cow issues, 3 talaq issues and Women rights in Islam could you please turn towards to improve the quality of Indian Airlines..During the rainy season, to travel by AI or Indian Airlines means, feeling like we are going to committing suicide.
The more someone hate Islam, Islam grows more ,
Alhamdulillah
viren dont b upset ,your statistics are wrong , b a truthful and NIA is busy now wil try later
Every state should have its right to practice whatever deems to be right for them.
Nobody should impose, dictate to say what should they choose for
Food habits, eat, drink, practicing religion, language, etc.,
IT is their right. They have free choice as long as it does not hurt others.
Flag is not a big issue. It can be a symbol of identity.
This man is talking exactly like our Eshwarappa. These people became leaders not on merit, it is at the cost of stupidity of their followers.
Innalilahi wainna ilaihi raajivoon..
A big shock, and unbelievable news.
'Ya Allah' grant him place in jannah Aameen...and grant him magfirat and sabr for his family members..
Exactly Viren...its not a big loss for Hindus
But its a proof that Islam continues to be fastest growing religion
In school assembly they tell us to say...
All Indians are my brothers and sisters... then why we marry Indians.
Teaching us wrong things..
That's why Rajiv Gandhi married a foreigner. But why did Modi married a Indian women.
Masha Allah..... May Allah give Hidaya to Viren Kotian....
Hinduism is fast growing religion in the world or terrorists growing rapidly in Hinduism, please make sure what you have written is correct and in conscious stage?? Apart from India where you can get the majority of your religion viren.. be matured and talk sensibly!
ALLAHU AKBAR FOR GOOD NEWS..SUBHANALLAH
FIRST TELL THEM THE MEANING OF IT. WHICH GOES AGAINST ALL RELIGIOUS BOOKS
Dear Viren,
This is not a fake religion or man made religion.
ISLAM is the TRUTH
YOU should verify by all means to know the TRUTH.
QURAN is a guidance to MANKIND not just Muslims.
Not just indians thru out the world ISLAM will grow day by day...
It is not acceptable in ISLAM to force anybody to become muslim. ALLAH knows what is in our HEART.
Muslim means one who submits to the will of God ALLAH.
There is no God but ALLAH and Muhammad is the messenger of ALLAH who conveyed to Worship One God ALLAH.
Allahu Akbar. If they kill one, Allah(swt) replaces with 13! You plan, but Allah(swt) too plans, and HE is the Best Planner.
Good thinking.
When you are thinking of new religion, don't hurry.
The selection of Religion should have valued criteria and basis.
Otherwise it has no meaning.
What is the religion, not by changing name, temple. You are not dictating the religion. The religion is dictating your entire activity of the life from creed to grave.
The religion is a guidance from the God. You have to search for the right thing around you, which is already existing. When you believe in God, you should also believe the God has sent you guidance to you. It is your duty find where is that guidance.
You don't need to invent the wheels. Just look for the right thing already available around you.
Also please don't look into the people of any group, study its ideology. There are many people who represent the religion but they don't know what to covey and reach it.
May God help and guide properly.
May Allah rest Brother Bashus soul in peace.
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