IRCTC Buddhist tour: 20% off, Rs 76,905

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation is offering a 20% discount on its Buddhist Circuit Special Tourist Train, with fares starting at Rs 76,905. (newkerala.com) (malaysiasun.com) The all-inclusive trip runs 7 nights and 8 days and departs from Safdarjung Railway Station in New Delhi. The route includes Bodh Gaya, Nalanda via Rajgir, Varanasi including Sarnath, Lumbini, Kushinagar and Shravasti. (newkerala.com) (malaysiasun.com) IRCTC said the journey ends with a visit to the Taj Mahal, adding Agra to a route otherwise centered on sites tied to the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha. (newkerala.com) The train is positioned as a rail-based pilgrimage package rather than a basic point-to-point ticket. IRCTC’s tourism site describes it as a Buddhist tourist train linking the places where Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, first taught and attained nirvana. (irctctourism.com) Passengers can choose between AC First Class and AC Two Tier accommodation. IRCTC said the service uses a fully air-conditioned deluxe tourist train with 12 LHB coaches, two dining cars and an onboard kitchen serving regional and international food. (newkerala.com) (malaysiasun.com) IRCTC’s own tourism page lists the same core route as Delhi, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda, Varanasi, Lumbini, Kushinagar, Sravasti and Agra. It also markets the product internationally in dollar terms, suggesting the train is aimed at both domestic and overseas Buddhist travelers. (irctctourism.com) The offer gives IRCTC a lower advertised entry price for one of its flagship spiritual tourism products. For travelers, the pitch is a single booking that bundles transport, lodging-style rail accommodation and site visits across India and Nepal. (newkerala.com) (irctctourism.com)