The festival season is right around the corner and there is already a rush around the country, with many trying to head home for the holidays.
People are travelling from far and wide to reunite with their families and celebrate the auspicious festivals. The Indian Railway Department, led by Piyush Goyal, has announced special trains for the different festivals in the months of October and November.
Diwali 2019
Diwali or Deepavali is being celebrated in India on 26 and 27 October 2019. This festival is also known as the festival of lights. It is celebrated to honour Lord Rama. On this day, it is believed that Lord Rama returned home to his people after 14 years in exile. During this period, Lord Rama defeated Ravana – the king of demons.
On this day, people clean their places before the first day of Diwali. Then they draw footprints of Goddess Laxmi all around the house, for prosperity and happiness.
People also decorate their houses and workplaces with rangolis, candles and oil lamps, especially near the doorways. Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Newar Buddhists, although for each faith, it marks different historical events and stories.
Chhath Puja 2019
Chhath Puja is being celebrated in India on 2 November 2019 and is historically native to Bihar. In India, people from Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and also some people from Nepal celebrate this festival.
The Chhath Puja is committed to the Sun and his sister Chhathi Maiya, so as to express gratitude towards them for offering the bounties of life on earth and to pray for the grant of specific wishes.
Chhath doesn't include any symbol of worship. This celebration is observed by Nepalese and Indian individuals, alongside their diaspora. While it is primarily a Hindu festival, a few Muslims also observe Chhath.
Special Trains Announced On This Festival Season
- Varanasi-Bhatinda Special
Varanasi Bhatinda Special (04997) will start its run from 7 October till 4 November. This train will run on all Mondays at 9:20 pm and will reach Bhatinda at 7:15 am. This train will have only one stop, in Lucknow at 2 pm.
- Lucknow-Hazratganj Nizamuddin Special
Lucknow Hazratganj Nizamuddin Special (04419) will start its run on 10 October till 7 November. This train will run on Thursday only in the evening from Lucknow at 7:05 pm and will reach Hazratganj Nizamuddin the next morning at 5:30 am.
- Lucknow-Anand Vihar Terminal Special
Lucknow-Anand Vihar Terminal Special (04421) will start its run from 8 October till 5 November. This train will run only on Tuesdays, departing from Lucknow at 7:05 pm and will reach Anand Vihar Terminal next morning at 5:15 am.
- Gorakhpur-Chandigarh Special
Gorakhpur-Chandigarh Special (04923) will start its run from 4 October till 1 November. This train will only run on Fridays from Gorakhpur at 10:10 pm and will reach Chandigarh at 2:25 pm. It will make a stop at Lucknow at 3:10 am.
- Varanasi-New Delhi Special
Varanasi-New Delhi Special (04073) will run on 24, 27, 30 October and 2 November from Varanasi at 9:50 am and will reach New Delhi at 1:45 am next day. It will make a stop at Charbagh at 4:05 pm.
- Gorakhpur-Anand Vihar Terminal Special
Gorakhpur-Anand Vihar Terminal Special (04045) will start its run from 27 October till 3 November. This train will only run on Sunday from Gorakhpur at 5:25 pm and will reach Anand Vihar Terminal at 7:15 am. It will make a stop in Lucknow at 10:25 pm.
- Lucknow-Nangal Dam Special
Lucknow-Nangal Dam Special (04501) will start its run from 8 October till 5 November. This train will run every Tuesday from Lucknow at 9:30 pm and will reach Nangal Dam at 1:00 pm the next afternoon.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)