IRCTC promotes Indian Railway tours through LRS

By Sanath Weerasuriya

In order to further enhance and strengthen Indo- Sri Lankan relationship through tourism, Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) launched an exclusive train package especially for Sri Lankan travel enthusiasts and pilgrims to connect all the prominent Buddhist sites in India.

‘Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) is focused on providing comprehensive and curated travel experience within India for International travellers by offering diverse travel packages and services. These tour packagers can be customized and tailored to cater to the specific interest and preferences of travellers’ said Kamal Kathiat, Jt. General Manager Tourism, Marketing and Corporation of IRCTC, who was in Colombo for the launch. 

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC), is a public sector enterprise under the ministry of Railways which provides a wide range of catering, hospitality, travel and tourism services. 

Religious Tours covering major tourist attractions across India to diverse network of destinations such as Varanasi, Risikesh, Amristsar, Bodhgaya forms an integral part of IRCTC’s portfolio.

Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train popularly known as ‘Mahaparinirvana Express’ forms an important part in the facilities provided for the conduct of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours covering almost all the destinations that are connected with the Buddhist Trail. This special luxury train takes Buddhist travellers from across the globe to the most important places related to The Enlightened One’s life and teachings.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation join hands with Lanka Sportreizen, a leading Sri Lankan travel company as their élite local agents to promote Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train, Maharaja Express, Golden Chariot Train and Bharat Gaurav Train in Sri Lanka Sportreizen, owned and operated by Thilak Weerasinghe is coordinating these tours from Sri Lanka.

According to Thilak, special packages could be arranged for Sri Lankan families and groups on request.

IRCTC- Inbound wishes to popularize the use of this new train facility amongst the Sri Lankan, who are desirous of visiting India for pilgrimage and the leisure purpose through the outbound agents, who organised tours to India , which shows continues increase’ said Thilak Weerasinghe, the MD of Lanka Sportreizen.

The package highlights are comfortable train journey (Sleeper Class - Non Air-conditioned (NAC), NAC Dormitory / Hall on multiple sharing, road transfers on NAC Coaches ( Long journey in AC Coaches), catering - (Sri Lankan and Indian cuisine), escort – English/Sinhala speaking guides and first Aid and Security on train.

Officials from the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka and representatives from ICTRC were at the launch as the occasion was momentous for the Buddhist community in Sri Lanka.

Kamal Kathiat, Jt. GM of IRCTC made a comprehensive presentation at the event detailing diverse travel packages and services offered to potential visitors taking the pilgrimage.

‘These tour packages can be customised and tailored to cater to the specific interests and preferences of travelers and all of which will be handled by Lanka Sportreizen, our partner in Sri Lanka’ Kathiat said.

‘Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train forms an important part in the facilities provided for the conduct of Buddhist pilgrimage tours, covering almost all the destinations that relate to the Buddhist Trail’ he explained.

‘The luxury train will make its tour over eight days. It starts from Delhi and concludes in Delhi. Nalanda,‘Rajgir’, Sarnath (Varanasi), ‘Kushinagar’, where Lord Buddha stayed last and entered Mahaparinirwana, ‘Lumbini, where Prince Siddhartha) was born in Napal and ‘Sravasti and finally Taj Mahal in Agra will included in the this tour’ Train Kathiat said elaborating on the important sites which will be covered by the Buddhist Circuit Train,
 ‘After completing the tour of Holy Land of Buddha, this train will take you to Agra, a city of historic interest, and is synonymous with Taj, the final resting place of Shah Jahan’s beloved Mumtaz Mahal. Situated on the banks of Yamuna, Taj Mahal is also known as the monument of love.

‘After completing the tour to Agra you have the choice to visit different optional tours given under the heading, “Extension Tour with Mahaparinirvana Train” or continue to Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India, which is a fusion of the ancient and the modern.

‘Buddhist Circuit Special Train is comfortable and easy to travel. You will get sufficient time to visit temples and participate in prayers etc. and this journey will be comfortable because of very less road travel.

‘Our sincere effort is to promote the Buddhist Pilgrimage by Buddhist Circuit Special Train to make tourists or pilgrims make a memorable visit’ said Thilak Weerasinghe.

For further information, please contact: Ms. Promila Gupta via ggmtourism@irctc.com – or Thilak Weerasinge, Secretary, via marketing@Lsrtravel.com.

Mr. Thilak Weerasinghe

Representative from SriLankan Airlines

Lanka Spotsrizen Founding Managing Director Thilak Weerasinghe with Indian High Commission officials and members from ICTRC.