A special train will take the pilgrims and tourists to the 5 most sacred shrines in Sikh shrines across the country. This pilgrimage train will chug from Amritsar on Baisakhi, on April 13.

A joint initiative of the Punjab Tourism and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, this special train will also offer pilgrimage tours to Gwalior and Agra for other historical Gurudwaras and Monuments. The entire spiritual journey spanning across 12 days will carry 244 passengers during its maiden voyage.

A luxury train christened the “Takht Express” was operated on an experimental basis last year. This time the normal deluxe train is used, considerably bringing down the cost of the entire journey.

The tariff of the spiritual rail tour is pegged at INR 1.55 Lacs for the entire journey per person in 1st first-class air-conditioned sleeper coach. The fare of the journey includes food, hotel accommodation, and local sightseeing.

After the inaugural run, this pilgrim train is likely to be operated on a monthly basis from September.  The passengers will board the train from Amritsar and the pilgrimage tour will begin with the tour to the Holiest of the Sikh Takht, Harmadir Sahib (the Golden Temple).

The other important Takht included in the itinerary are Anandpur Sahib (near Ropar, Punjab), Damdama Sahib (near Bathinda, Punjab), Patna Sahib (in Bihar), and Hazur Sahib (in Nanded, Maharashtra).