Religious tourism, primarily centered around Hindu sites, has seen a significant surge in India—driven largely by a government that places strong emphasis on promoting Hindu culture and faith. In recent times, several initiatives have been launched to facilitate major Hindu pilgrimage routes and yatras. The latest addition to this trend is the Jyotirlinga and Statue of Unity Yatra, introduced by Indian Railways.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, IRCTC, has announced the rail tour package titled “04 Jyotirlinga and Statue of Unity Yatra”, operated by the Bharat Gaurav Special Tourist Train. The journey offers an opportunity to visit some of India’s religious landmarks over the course of nine days and eight nights.
The itinerary includes visits to the sacred Jyotirlinga shrines of Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Nageshwar in Dwarka, and Shri Somnath in Veraval, culminating with a trip to the iconic Statue of Unity in Kevadiya.
The tour is scheduled to begin on October 25, 2025, from Amritsar, with boarding and de-boarding facilities available at several stations including Jalandhar City, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Delhi Cantt, and Rewari.
The Bharat Gaurav Special Tourist Train, designed to ensure both comfort and convenience, offers a total capacity of 640 Sleeper class seats, 70 in Third AC, and 52 in Second AC.
The Jyotirlinga and Statue of Unity Yatra offers travellers a choice of three categories to suit different comfort preferences. Prices are quoted per person on a double or triple sharing basis. The Economy package is priced at INR 19,555, the Standard package at INR 27,815, and the Comfort package at INR 39,410. Passengers travelling alone will be required to share accommodation with other participants on the tour.
The Jyotirlinga and Statue of Unity Yatra unfolds across some visually striking destinations steeped in mythology, faith, and timeless charm. The journey begins in Ujjain on the banks of the Shipra River where you will find the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, an architectural marvel and one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. From Ujjain, the pilgrimage continues to Omkareshwar, another Jyotirlinga site located on an island, said to be shaped like the Hindu symbol ‘Om’. The Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple embodies both natural beauty and divine energy, surrounded by the Narmada River.
Next up is Kevadiya, home to the Statue of Unity, said to be the world’s tallest statue. The yatra then winds westward to the town of Dwarka, a city with associations to Krishna. Here, pilgrims visit the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, where Shiva is worshipped as the Lord of Serpents, and the Dwarkadhish Temple. The final destination is Veraval, where the Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is perched dramatically by the sea. Somnath has been rebuilt several times over millennia, each reconstruction a testament to the enduring power of devotion.
The Jyotirlingas are sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, believed to be self-manifested pillars of radiant light symbolising his eternal and boundless presence. The word “Jyotirlinga” combines 'jyoti' (light) and 'linga' (symbol of Shiva), meaning “the radiant sign of the Almighty.” The twelve Jyotirlingas mark the sites where his divine light emerged. Pilgrims undertake the sacred Jyotirlinga Yatra to seek spiritual enlightenment and, as scriptures suggest, moksha — freedom from the cycle of rebirth. Among the twelve revered sites across India, the most prominent include Somnath in Gujarat, Mallikarjuna in Andhra Pradesh, and Mahakaleshwar in Madhya Pradesh — each radiating timeless devotion and divine serenity.
It is a nine-day spiritual rail tour organised by IRCTC, covering four sacred Jyotirlinga temples—Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Nageshwar, and Somnath—along with a visit to the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya.
The tour starts on October 25, 2025 and runs for 8 nights and 9 days, travelling across multiple cities in western and northern India.
Passengers can board or de-board at Amritsar, Jalandhar City, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Delhi Cantt, and Rewari.
The tour is priced per person on a double or triple sharing basis: Economy – INR 19,555, Standard – INR 27,815, Comfort – INR 39,410. Solo travellers will share rooms with other participants.
Bookings can be made through the IRCTC official website or authorised IRCTC agents. Early booking is recommended due to limited seat availability on the Bharat Gaurav Special Tourist Train.