SRI RAMAYANA YATRA BY BHARAT GAURAV TOURIST TRAIN- LTC APPROVED

IRCTC Ltd. offers ‘Sri Ramayana Yatra’ theme based pilgrimage tour by Bharat Gaurav Tourist train on Ramayana circuit covering the prominent sacred places associated with the life of Lord Rama.

Destinations and visits covered:

• Ayodhya: Ram janmbhoomi temple, Hanuman garhi, SaryuGhat.
• Nandigram: Bharat-Hanuman Temple and Bharat kund
• Janakpur: Ram-Janki Mandir.
• Sitamarhi: Janaki Mandir at Sitamarhi and Punaura Dham.
• Buxar :Ram rekha Ghat, Rameshwar Nath Temple.
• Varanasi: Tulsi Manas temple, Sankat Mochan temple, Vishwanath temple & Ganga Aarti.
• Sita Samahit sthal, Sitamarhi: Sita Mata temple.
• Prayagraj: Bharadwaj Ashram, Ganga-Yamuna Sangam, Hanuman temple.
• Shringaverpur: Shringe Rishi Samadhi & Shanta Devi Temple, Ram Chaura.
• Chitrakoot: Gupta Godawari, Ramghat, Sati Anusuiya temple.
• Nasik:Trayambkeshwar temple, Panchvati, Sitagufa, Kalaram temple.
• Hampi:Anjanadri Hill, Virupaksha temple & Vitthal Temple.
• Rameshwaram: Ramnathswami temple and Dhanushkodi.
• Bhadrachalam: Sri Sitaram Swami Temple, Anjani Swami Temple

Cost per Person for the proposed tour as below.

Note : Itinerary is tentative and can be changed or modified subject to smooth and timely running of Train. The final Timing will be based on the Train order received from the Railways.

Details of Places in Shri Ramayana Yatra Tour

• Ayodhya:  is an ancient city of India, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama and setting of the epic Ramayana. Ayodhya used to be the capital of the ancient Kosala Kingdom. Owing to the belief as the birthplace of Rama, Ayodhya has been regarded as one of the seven most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is believed that the birth spot of Rama was marked by a temple, which was demolished by the orders of the Mughal emperor Babur and a mosque erected in its place. Ayodhya City is located about 8 km away from Faizabad city on the right bank of the Saryu River in Uttar Pradesh.
• Nandigram: This is a small township about 20 kms from Ayodhya. It is said to be the place where Bharat lived while Ram was in exile for 14 years. Rama’s brother Bharata had been away from Ayodhya when Rama was exiled. When Bharata returned, he learned that he was supposed to be the king in Rama’s absence. Greatly disturbed by this news, Bharata went to Chitrakut to ask Rama to come back and rule the kingdom. Bharata insisted again and again that Rama should come back to Ayodhya, but Rama repeatedly refused the kingdom. So Bharat asked Lord Ram to give his wooden sandals (Padukas) and that he would worship them and rule ayodhya on behalf of him. It was here at Nandigram where Bharat maharaj lived like a hermit and worshipped the padukas of Lord Rama for next 14 years. When Sri Ram came back from exile and was received by all – specially Bharatha. Then it was here he shed his hermit clothes after 14 years and took on his royal robes, on route to his coronation. There is a temple vibrates with the bhakthi of Bharatha and Rama’s abiding faith and love for him.
• Sitamarhi : Sitamarhi, is the district head quarter located in the state of Bihar adjacent to the Nepal. It owes its prominence primarily to the epic Ramayana and one of its central figures, Sita, the wife of Rama and an incarnation of Goddess Laxmi. Considered as the birthplace of Sita, the town and its nearby villages are replete with tales from this ancient Hindu epic. Numerous temples profess their association directly or indirectly to Sita and recount events from her life. The town’s Janaki Mandir is the most prominent shrine dedicated to Sita. Janaki-Kund, a tank south of this temple, believed to be established by her father King Janak, contains the figures of Sita, Rama, and Lakshman. Janaki Temple is believed to be situated close to the spot where Sita was born. It is a modern structure that occupies a vast area and consists of huge gateways, a courtyard, and central shrine of Sita, Ram, and Hanuman.
• Janakpur: Janakpur is a city in Nepal, close to Indian Border, which is believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita and place of her marriage with Lord Ram. The city is famous for its 500 yead old Janaki temple which lures tourists from all over the world. The city is a must visit if tourists wants to experience Nepal’s Indian culture. The district used to be the capotal of the Mithila Kingdom. Ancient artistic tradition related to Lord Ram and Mother Sita can be observed in plenty in Janakpur along with paintings of their marriage. The town that used to be a land of gods in the olden time is currently viewed as a living museum. Every corners of the town host a temple of one or other diety thus imparting Janakpur’s identity as a holy city. Janaki temple is the largest and most important holy site of Janakpur while Ram temple. Vivaha Mandap, Sankatmochan temple. Ratna Sagar temple, Dulaha temple and Mahadve temple are other famous temple of Janakpur.
• Buxar : Buxar is famous since the epic period for being the seats of eminent saints, battlefield of Gods and Demons as per Puranas and a combat zone between foreign invasion and countrymen in modern history. This place was also known as “Siddhashram”, “Vedgarbhapuri”, “Karush”, “Tapovan”, “Chaitrath”, “VyaghraSar”, “Buxar” in ancient history. According to mythology, sage Vishwamitra the family guru of Lord Rama and eighty thousand saints, had their sacred ashram at the banks of holy river Ganges that reside inside the modern District Buxar. He was disturbed in the yagna (sacrificial offering) by the demons. The place where due killing of the famous Rakshasi (demoness) Tadika by Lord Rama, is said to fall within the present Buxar town area. Besides, Lord Rama and his younger brother Laxman took their teachings at Buxar. It is also said that Ahilya, the wife of Gautam Rishi restored her human body from that of stone and got salvation by a mere touch of the feet of Lord Rama. Places to visit here are Ramrekha Ghat, Brahmeshwar Nath Temple, Bihariji Temple.
• Varanasi: Once known as Benares or Banaras and Kashi, is a historical city in northern India. The city is sacred to Hindus and Jains and also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with settlements dating back to the 11th century BC. Many Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi brings salvation/nirvana and so they make the trip to the city when they realize that they are close to death.  Considered as the abode of Lord Shiva, Varanasi is situated on the banks of River Ganges, which is believed to have the power of washing away all of one’s sins. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the temple of the Lord Shiva which is made up of the gold and looks very dazzling. Sankat Mochan Temples is the temple of the Lord Hanuman which is crowded by the hundreds of monkeys. People read Hanuman Chalisa daily in front of the statue of the Lord Hanuman. Tulsi Manas Temple is the gorgeous temple of Lord Ram, Lakshman and Mata Sita, located at Durga Kund near to the Durga temple.
• Sita Samahit sthal- Sitamadhi: is situated between Allahabad and Varanasi, near the national highway No. 2. It is a well known Hindu pilgrimage and a good tourist spot with a lot of tourists almost throughout the year. It is believed that the site of this Indian temple is the place where Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, was swallowed into earth when she willed it so, while she was living in the ashram of  Saint Valmiki in the forest of Sitamarhi. 
• Shringaverpur: It is a picturesque place which is located about 40 km from Allahabad on the road to the state capital Lucknow. It is believed that it was here that Lord Ram crossed the River Ganga while on his way to exile along with Mother Sita and Lakshman. The village has gained eminence with the passage of time and has been mentioned in detail in the epic Ramayana as the capital of the Kingdom of Nishadraj (King of Fishermen). The excavation here unearthed a temple dedicated to Shringi Rishi, from whom this place is believed to take its name. It is said that Lord Ram, Sitaji, and Lakshmanji put up for a night here, on the invitation of Nishadraj, before proceeding to the jungles on exile. The environment of Shringverpur is serene and scenic. The places to visit here are Shringe Rishi Samadhi,  Shanta Devi Temple and Ram chaura. 
• Prayag: Prayag is one of the largest cities of Uttar Pradesh and is steeped in mythology, history, religion and culture. For those well versed with the Ramayana, Prayag is where Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman spent some time before proceeding to nearby Chitrakoot. It is one of the four sites of the Kumbh Mela, the ancient Hindu pilgrimage. Organized once every 12 years, it is the largest religious gathering on the planet. Sangam is a holy site for the Hindus where the three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati – meet. It is believed that a dip in the Holy water will wash away all your sins. During the Ramayana epic era, Prayaga was made up of a few rishi’s huts at the confluence of the sacred rivers, and much of the countryside was continuous jungle. Lord Rama, the main protagonist in the Ramayana, spent some time here, at the Ashram of Sage Bharadwaj, before proceeding to nearby Chitrakoot.
• Chitrakoot : Chitrakoot is a village of religious importance which interestingly lies half in Madhya Pradesh and the other half in Uttar Pradesh. Chitrakoot’s spiritual legacy stretches back to legendary ages: It was in these deep forests that Ram, Sita and his brother Lakshman  spent a few months of their fourteen years of banishment; the great sage Atri, Sati Anusuya, Dattatreya, Maharshi Markandeya, Valmiki and various other sages, seers, devotees and thinkers meditated; and here the principal trinity of the Hindu pantheon, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, took their incarnations. This is one among the important places connected to Ramayana where Bharat persuaded Lord Rama to return to Ayodhya and where Lord Rama performed his father Dasharatha’s last rites in presence of all the Gods and Goddesses.
• Nasik:  In the exiles, Lord Rama moved from Chitrakoot to Panchavati in the Dandaka forest. Today Panchavati is identified as a place in Nasik, Maharashtra, on the banks of the river Godavari. It is a pilgrimage spot today that has several Rama temples, what is supposed to be the only Lakshmana temple in the world, and a cave called Sita Gupha where Rama, Lakshmana and Sita are believed to have prayed to Shiva. Nearby is also what is supposed to be the Lakshman Rekha, the spot where Ravana abducted Sita. The place Panchavati gets its name from there having been five Banyan trees when Rama arrived here, and there are five living trees here that are still venerated. Even the town Nasik derives its name from being the place where Shurpanakha’s nose fell when lopped off by Lakshmana.
• Hampi: Hampi is a glorious and architecturally rich temple town in northern part of Karnataka state. The former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire was one of the richest and largest cities in the world during its prime. The place has strong mythological association with the great Indian epic Ramayana. The fourth chapter (Kanda) of Ramayana mentions Kishkinda as the citadel of a king named Bali. Hampi is one of the major religious destinations in India due to its mythological connection to the epic Ramayana. This is where Lord Rama and Lakshmana met Lord Hanuman while in search of abducted Sita. Many of the places mentioned in the Kishkinda Kanda are found here in Hampi. Hampi is also world famous for it’s exceptional and stunning style of architecture found in the temples and monuments which dates back to the Vijayanagara reign. The whole of Hampi’s landscape is attributed as the mythical kingdom of monkeys. The Anjaneya Hill, just across the river is believed to be the place where Anjana gave birth to Hanuman. Rishimukh island is the place where Hanuman first meets Rama and Lakshmana. This is a holy place for the Hindus. You can spot a hermitage at the center of this island. A bit east in the island is the Chandramouleshwara Temple . Sugreeva’s Cave is located on the banks of the river on the way to Vittala Temple. Malyavanta Hill , located almost at the south fringes of the ruins site has a temple dedicated to Rama at its summit. Rama and Lakshmana waited here during the rainy season before raiding Lanka. A cleft on top of the hill is believed to have caused by Lakshmana’s arrow.
• Rameshwaram: is a town in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on Pamban Island separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel and is about 50 kilometres from Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, is connected to mainland India by the Pamban Bridge. Together with Kashi, it is considered to be one of the holiest places in India to Hindus, and part of the Char Dham pilgrimages. In Valmiki’s immortal creation, the Ramayana, Rama arrived at the seashore of Rameswaram trying to find a way to cross the sea to reach Lanka where Sita was being held by Ravana. It was Hanuman who had come here first on his search for Sita. Rama had to find a way to cross the sea safely with his army of Vanars. Rameswaram is where Rama decided to build the sea bridge and that is why one of the names of the island is Setu, the Bridge. It is also the place where Ravana’s brother Vibhishana left Lanka and joined Rama in his battle of righteousness. Rama held Vibhishana’s coronation here and crowned him as the king of Lanka. at Rameswaram, Rama an avatar of Vishnu worships Shiva who is addressed as Ramanathaswamy, the lord of Rama. The shivalingam in the Ramanathaswamy Temple is considered to be one of the twelve sacred jyotirlingams.
• Bhadrachalam: Also known as the Ayodhya of South, Bhadrachalam town has a clearly documented history of Lord Sri Rama temple, which was constructed in the 17th Century CE. According to mythology, the present town was once part of the Dandakaranya forest, which Lord Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana had visited during their exile. The jungle, which is now in the vicinity of the temple, was the place for Rama’s retreat and a place called Parnasala, which is 32 km away, was the location where Rama built a dwelling for himself and Sita. It was here that Sita was abducted by Lanka ruler, Ravana. The famous temple at Bhadrachalam is home to the Archa Murthy’s of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana and their idols are believed to be swayambhu i.e. self-manifested ones.

• Train Journey by Bharat Gaurav Special tourist train in 3AC class.
• Nights stay will be provided in Hotels as
  • Comfort: in AC Rooms standard hotels.
  • Superior: in AC Rooms, deluxe hotels.

• Wash and change as per itinerary in Hotels in Non-AC Rooms.
• Onboard train meals (veg only).
• Off board meals (veg only) in good quality Restaurant/Hotels/Banquets/Packed
• All Transfers and sightseeing by Non-AC bus.
• Travel insurance for the passengers.
• Security on Train.
• All applicable Taxes.

• Train Journey by Bharat Gaurav Special tourist train in 3AC class.
• Nights stay will be provided in Hotels as
  • Comfort: in AC Rooms standard hotels.
  • Superior: in AC Rooms, deluxe hotels.

• Wash and change as per itinerary in Hotels in Non-AC Rooms.
• Onboard train meals (veg only).
• Off board meals (veg only) in good quality Restaurant/Hotels/Banquets/Packed
• All Transfers and sightseeing by Non-AC bus.
• Travel insurance for the passengers.
• Security on Train.
• All applicable Taxes.