Bengaluru, June 17, 2025 — In a major boost to religious tourism and pilgrimage connectivity, Indian Railways is set to flag off its first-ever direct train service linking Bengaluru in Karnataka to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand on June 19. This landmark initiative aims to facilitate easier and more convenient travel for devotees from South India to the Char Dham circuit in the Himalayas.
Rishikesh, known as the “Gateway to the Char Dham,” serves as a starting point for pilgrimages to the sacred shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Until now, pilgrims from southern states like Karnataka had to rely on multi-leg journeys involving flights, buses, or multiple train connections to reach Rishikesh. The new direct train service will drastically reduce travel time, simplify logistics, and make the pilgrimage experience more accessible and comfortable.
According to railway officials, the new train will run on a weekly schedule, with plans to scale operations based on passenger response. The route will pass through key junctions in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh before reaching Uttarakhand, offering a scenic journey through India’s diverse cultural and geographical landscape.
“The direct train between Bengaluru and Rishikesh marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to promote spiritual tourism and improve inter-state connectivity. The Char Dham Yatra holds immense religious value, and this service will help thousands of devotees undertake the journey with ease,” said a senior official of South Western Railway.
The move aligns with the government’s broader strategy to promote pilgrimage circuits and develop spiritual tourism hubs across the country. The Char Dham Yatra, in particular, sees lakhs of devotees undertaking the arduous journey each year, and improved rail access is expected to significantly ease pressure on other modes of transport.
Tourism industry experts believe the new train could also catalyze local economic activity, as more pilgrims mean more demand for hospitality services, guides, transportation, and local crafts along the route. Additionally, it opens up Uttarakhand’s spiritual and natural offerings to a much wider demographic.
As excitement builds for the June 19 launch, travel operators, temple committees, and devotees are hailing the service as a long-awaited step in bridging South and North India’s spiritual circuits. With this move, Indian Railways reinforces its commitment to nation-wide integration and the preservation of India’s rich religious heritage.
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