Indian trains to play bhajans, serve free langars on board; Ramayana Express to have new interiors

Scheduled to be launched on February 16, Sunday, IRCTC’s Kashi Mahakal Express train will play light devotional music in its coaches, and will also have two private guards on duty in every coach as well as only vegetarian meals among other features. The third private train in India will run thrice a week between Varanasi and Indore and connect Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain), Omkareshwar (near Indore) and Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi) Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva.
According to the news reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the express fully air-conditioned train ahead of its commercial operations from February 20. As per an official statement, the IRCTC is making tour packages of important religious and tourist sites like Kashi, Bhopal, Omkareshwar, Mahakaleshwar, Sanchi, Ujjain, Bhimbetka, Prayag and Ayodhya.


News has it that PM Modi has asked the railways to start operating trains between Patna Sahib and Amritsar, and also trains that connect thematic religious destinations related to Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu. During a meeting of the council of ministers, the PM suggested that trains on Patna Sahib and Amritsar route can also have on-board devotional activities like shabad kirtan and langar (free public meals).
V K Yadav, Railway board chairman, recently announced that the forthcoming edition of the Ramayana Express train will have Ramayana-themed compartments and bhajans being played on-board. Ramayana Express has been scheduled for a relaunch after March 10, and it will run through all parts of India for the benefit of every citizen.