First Rajasthan Bharat Gaurav Train Departs for Rameshwaram with 779 Senior Citizens

Jaipur:
On Friday evening, the first AC Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train under Rajasthan’s Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme was flagged off from Durgapura Railway Station by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. A total of 779 pilgrims, including 600 from Jaipur and 179 from Sawai Madhopur, boarded the train to Rameshwaram.

The event began with cultural performances, distribution of tulsi malas, and symbolic Ayodhya tableaux and kanwar models. The CM personally met pilgrims inside the coaches and extended his blessings.

During the eight-day journey, pilgrims will visit Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga, Dhanushkodi, Brahmakund, and Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. Each coach includes instructors, a doctor, and nurses, while a mobile app-based location sharing system is introduced for the first time.

CM Sharma emphasized that the government is serving the elderly like family, with officials accompanying them as “sons and daughters”. He also announced the installation of bhajan audio systems in the coaches.

Devasthan Minister Joraram Kumawat revealed the state plans to facilitate 50,000 senior citizens to visit various holy sites across India. After Rameshwaram, Ayodhya, Dwarka, Ujjain, and Tirupati will follow.

The train features theme-based coaches representing Rajasthan’s forts, temples, dance, festivals, and military glory. A special pantry serves traditional Rajasthani dishes like bajra roti, ker sangri, rabdi, and lassi. The train’s royal exterior resembles the ‘Palace on Wheels’.