Indian
Railways Special Trains for Diwali & Chhath Puja 2026
Introduction
To
manage the surge in passenger demand during the Diwali and Chhath Puja
festive season, Indian Railways has announced several special
train services connecting major cities across north, east, and south India.
These services will operate through October and November 2026, offering
additional travel options on busy routes.
Kanpur–Bengaluru
Special Train
- Train No.
04131 Kanpur Central–SMVT Bengaluru Special
- Runs every Sunday
from October 4.
- Departure: 4:30
PM from Kanpur Central.
- Train No.
04132 SMVT Bengaluru–Kanpur Central Special
- Runs every Wednesday
from October 7.
- Departure: 7:10
AM from Bengaluru.
- Major Stops:
Prayagraj, Satna, Itarsi, Nagpur, Vijayawada, Nellore, Renigunta, Katpadi,
Jolarpettai, Krishnarajapuram.
Varanasi–Delhi
Special Express (50 Trips)
- Train Nos.
04209/04210 Varanasi–Delhi Reserved Special Express.
- Train No.
04209
- Departure: 10:15
PM from Varanasi.
- Arrival: 1:45
PM next day at Delhi.
- Runs on Mondays,
Wednesdays, Fridays (Oct 2 – Nov 27).
- Train No.
04210
- Departure: 6:50
PM from Delhi.
- Arrival: 9:50
AM next day at Varanasi.
- Runs on Tuesdays,
Thursdays, Saturdays (Oct 2 – Nov 28).
- Coaches:
AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, sleeper, and general.
Ayodhya–Delhi
Special (36 Trips)
- Train Nos.
04213/04214 Ayodhya Cantt–Anand Vihar Terminal Special.
- Ayodhya
Cantt–Anand Vihar
- Departure: 6:20
PM.
- Arrival: 6:10
AM next day.
- Anand
Vihar–Ayodhya Cantt
- Departure: 9:00
AM.
- Arrival: 10:00
PM.
- Runs between October
1 – November 30.
Punjab–Patna
Specials
- Chandigarh–Patna
Special (04512/04511)
- 18 trips.
- Stops:
Ambala Cantt, Saharanpur, Roorkee, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur,
Varanasi, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, Buxar, Ara, Danapur.
- Firozpur
Cantt–Patna Special (04616/04615)
- 16 trips.
- Stops: Moga,
Ludhiana, Ambala Cantt, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Varanasi, Buxar.
How
to Book Tickets
- Online:
Through IRCTC website and mobile app.
- Offline:
At railway reservation counters.
- Information:
Train schedules, running status, and seat availability via NTES.
- Helpline:
Integrated 139 RailMadad for assistance.
Why
These Special Trains Matter
- Ease of
Travel: Extra trains reduce congestion on
busy routes.
- Festive
Convenience: Ensures families can travel together
during Diwali and Chhath Puja.
- Regional
Connectivity: Links major cities across north,
east, and south India.
- Passenger
Comfort: Includes multiple coach classes for
varied budgets.
Tips
for Passengers
- Book tickets
early to avoid last-minute rush.
- Use the IRCTC
app for real-time updates.
- Carry valid
ID proof for reservation verification.
- Check train
timings carefully as festive schedules may vary.
- Use RailMadad
helpline (139) for quick support.
Conclusion
With
festive travel demand expected to soar, Indian Railways’ special train
services are a timely initiative to ensure smoother journeys for
passengers. Whether traveling for Diwali celebrations or Chhath Puja
rituals, these trains provide reliable and convenient options across
India’s busiest routes.