Question 1: Do you think the Sri Lanka leg of the tour will be as popular as the Indian leg of the tour?Give reasons in support of your answer.

Railways launches Shri Ramayana Express: All about the unique pilgrim train

The tourism wing of Indian Railways will run special pilgrim trains from November 14 that will cover all important destinations associated with the life of Lord Shri Ram in a 16 days. The trains will be flagged off from Delhi Safdarjung railway station and Madurai from Tamil Nadu.

The trains will cover all important destinations associated with the life of Lord Shri Ram in a 16 days all inclusive tour package which is spread both in the countries of India as well as Sri Lanka in which 4 destinations will be covered.

The bookings for the train is now open on IRCTC's website www.irctctourism.com. The train will have a seating capacity for 800 passengers.

"The all inclusive tour package will cover all meals, accommodation and wash and change facilities in dharmashalas, all transfers, sight-seeing arrangements and dedicated tour manager of IRCTC who will be travelling with the tourists during the entire tour," it said.

The railways said the 'Shri Ramayana Yatra-Sri Lanka' pilgrimage will have two components - one each in India and Sri Lanka.

The train running from Delhi will make its first stop in Ayodhya followed by Hanuman Garhi Ramkot and Kanak Bhawan temple. The train will then cover the important destinations of Ramayana circuit such as Nandigram, Sitamarhi, Janakpur, Varanasi, Prayag, Shringverpur, Chitrakoot, Nasik, Hampi and Rameshwaram. The train will have boarding points at Delhi Safdarjung, Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Bareilly, Lucknow.

The train from Madurai will cover the destinations of Hampi, Nasik, Chitrakut Dham, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Janakpuri (Nepal), Ayodhya, Nandigram, Allahabad, Shringaverpur, Rameswaram, Devipatinam and Thirupullani.

The railways will charge separately for India and Sri Lanka journey.

Delhi route train will have a fare of Rs 15,120 per person, while the Madurai train ticket will cost Rs 15,830 per passenger.

The Sri Lanka leg of the tour will be charged separately. The passengers opting for Sri Lanka leg of the Ramayana Yatra package can take a flight to Colombo from Chennai. IRCTC presently offers 5-night/6-day Sri Lanka tour package at a cost starting from Rs 36,970 per person.

IRCTC is also operating an AC Tourist Train from 28th August to 9th September 2018 on the Ramayana Circuit from Trivandrum offering an all inclusive tour package starting from Rs. 39,800/- onwards covering Panchavati, Chitrakoot, Shringverpur, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Darbhanga, Sita Marhi, Ayodhya and Rameshwaram.

Source:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/indian-railways-to-launch-shri-ramayana-express-all-about-the-unique-pilgrim-train/printarticle/64934919.cms