IRCTC Announces Special Trains for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: Travel Made Easy

The Maha Kumbh Mela for the year 2025 will be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, one of the world’s most significant spiritual congregations, from January 13 to February 26, 2025. Celebrated once every twelve years, Maha Kumbh is a phenomenon in itself, redefining cultures, traditions, and beliefs under the sacred skies of India. Millions of devotees flock here yearly for holy bathing, seeking spiritual purification at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and their mythical Saraswati rivers. The expected number of people during the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela would exceed 400 million, making it imperative to have convenient transportation available for all events. To manage this absolute gigantic task, and maintain a hassle-free journey for all participants, the Indian Railways, through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), has introduced various Mahakumbh special train services for the Mela. People from all over the world, all walks of life, diverse religion and caste, witness this occurrence over a period of days by traveling to Sangam and get the benefit of using a special train for Prayagraj city. Let’s explore more about this in detail through this blog.

Importance of Special Trains During Mahakumbh Mela

Managing Enormous Visitor Influx

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is expected to be the largest gathering of human beings on the planet; an estimated 400 million people will participate. Due to the increase in passenger numbers, managing such vast numbers of devotees requires meticulous planning and a strong infrastructure with introduction to Mahakumbh special trains.

Smooth Travel and Connectivity

Smooth travel is essential for the successful completion of the Maha Kumbh Mela. Special train for Prayagraj and some other destinations, facilitated by IRCTC would ensure special services dedicated to pilgrims to minimize their congestion on general trains and provide a more comfortable traveling experience. These special trains to Prayagraj provide direct connectivity and assist with the special needs of travelers. 

Facilitating Accessible Travel 

IRCTC takes up this herculean task, year by year, to make the movement of this pilgrimage as free of hardships as possible. For instance, the ‘Bharat Gaurav’, a Mahakumbh special train from Pune to Prayagraj has been introduced, offering a package that includes travel, meals, and accommodation for pilgrims. This 14-coach customized train, with a capacity of approximately 750 passengers, will operate from January 15 to February 23, covering key spiritual hubs like Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya.

How to Book Tickets for These Special Trains

Booking tickets for Mahakumbh special trains can be easy over the IRCTC website or mobile application. Check out the step-by-step guide to book: 

Step 1: Register on the IRCTC Platform 

New Users: Open the IRCTC website or download the IRCTC Rail Connect application from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. 

Existing Users: Login using username and password. 

Step 2: Search Special Trains

Enter Journey Details: Fill in the form and to stations (for example, Pune to Prayagraj), travel date, and travel class. 

Find Trains: Click “Find Trains” to check the available trains, including special trains during Mahakumbh. 

Step 3: Select Train and Class

Select Trains: From the list of trains, choose which one suits your schedule the best.

Select Class: Choose the class (Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, 1AC) according to your convenience and budget. 

Step 4: Check Availability and Fares Availability

Check the availability of seats: Ensure seats are available in the train/class that you have chosen. 

Fares: Check the cost of the tickets to make sure they cover your budget. 

Step 5: Passenger Details Information 

Enter all required information: Punch in details for each passenger, such as full name, age, gender, and berths. 

Carry proof of ID: A vital document for verifications during the journey.

Step 6: Making Payments 

Choose a payment method: You can use options such as credit/debit cards, net banking, UPI, or digital wallets. 

Proceed to pay: Then, complete your journey by paying the ticket fare. 

Step 7: Confirmation E-Ticket

E-Ticket: E-tickets will be sent to you via email and SMS after successful completion of the payment.

Print or Download: It is always better if you keep a print of the e-ticket or download it. 

Ticket Bookings at Railway Station: Major railway stations provide counters specifically for special trains for Mahakumbh. These booking points will assist pilgrims and travelers in various languages. Visitors must have valid identification and come early to avoid long queues.

Tips for a Smooth Booking Experience

Book ahead of time: High demand during Mahakumbh calls for advance planning and pre-booking the tickets so you can easily get your preferred train and class.

Be Flexible with Dates: Not having fixed travel dates will be beneficial. Although there is special train for Prayagraj, but travel date flexibility increases the possibility of having a train available.

Check for Updates: Log in to the IRCTC website or check the app for Mahakumbh special trains and services regarding the event.

Order Fresh Meals from Swiggy for Your Train Journey to Mahakumbh

Swiggy’s partnership with IRCTC is now your answer to fresh and hygienic meals delivered directly to your seat while traveling on railways. Here’s how to order in few simple steps: 

1. Download the delivery app: Download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your mobile. Sign in to your account. If you are a previous user, log in with your details.

2. Enter Your Train and PNR Details: Once logged in, click the ‘Food Delivery in Train’ section. Now, carefully enter your train number and PNR (Passenger Name Record) details. This step lets the app discover your train’s course and upcoming stations. 

3. Browse the Restaurants: You will see a list of restaurants that deliver at the upcoming stations on your course. Select the food outlet of your choice and browse numerous alternatives from the menu to order food online in train.

4. Select and Place Your Order: Choose your preferred dishes, appetizers, and other sides or beverages from the menu. There are options for ordering vegetarian and non-veg food and easy biryani train deliveries. Add them to your cart and proceed.

5. Make the Payment: Now continue to checkout, where you can select your payment method—either pay online via cards, UPI, or net banking or choose cash on delivery.

6. Track Your Order: The app tracks your order’s location. Thanks to web platforms that enable you to get meals on the go, you can now get the best non veg food in train.

Conclusion

The Maha Kumbha Mela 2025 speaks volumes of spiritual awareness and brings faith and devotion into the lives of people by highlighting India’s rich culture and religious heritage. Reconnecting millions of people, who travel miles to Prayagraj once in 12 years, IRCTC introduces numerous Mahakumbh special trains, targeting this audience. Providing accessible booking options and an efficient logistics system for transporting devotees becomes critical and is mainly handled by IRCTC. To add more value to your travel experience, some services like Swiggy bring fresh meals you can eat right to your seat for an enriched experience. 

FAQ

1. When will the special trains start running?

Special trains for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 are expected to begin in the in early January 2025, just when the Mela commences on January 13. These trains, including a special train for Prayagraj, will continue to function all through the period of the Mela till the end of February. Schedules will be made available by IRCTC much closer to the event date for sufficient time for bookings.

2. Which cities will the special trains connect to Prayagraj?

Special train for Prayagraj will connect to all major cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, through these special trains. These will also be connected to smaller towns and regional hubs so that people traveling from various places could use it with ease.

3. Are there any safety measures in place on these trains?

Strict and robust safety measures are put in place on the special trains by the IRCTC. It includes regular sanitation, CCTV surveillance security, permanent appointment of RPF personnel, and medical service onboard. The additional staff will be there to assist the passengers and ensure effective crowd management which aims for a safe and comfortable journey for all in special trains for Mahakumbh.